"Rose," Caspian called out, rushing down the sterile hospital corridor. He reached her, his expression tight with concern. "Why are you sitting on the floor? Come on, get up."

"Caspian? What are you doing here?" Rose asked, her voice cracking. She turned her face away, refusing to let him see the fresh tears streaming down her cheeks.

Ever since the disaster at the Imperial Plaza, she had been dodging him.

"Don't be ridiculous. This is a Hughes-owned hospital. I'm here for a site inspection." He cupped her face, gently wiping away the tears with his thumb.

Maximus stood a few feet away, his jaw clenched as he watched them. Seeing them playing house right in front of him made his blood boil.

"Get lost, both of you!" he roared.

"Mr. Anderson, lower your voice. This is a hospital, not your private estate," Caspian retorted, his voice cold and steady.

The man was a tyrant, entirely wrong for Rose. Caspian had done his research—years ago, Maximus had compromised Rose, and Albert Harrison had forced her into this wretched marriage as a result. Now, Maximus kept Delilah Kelly, his unattainable first love, on the side. He didn't love Rose. Caspian only regretted that he’d been abroad for his fellowship; if he’d been here, he never would have let this happen.

The red light above the operating room flickered and died.

Maximus lunged for Dr. Gardner. "Doctor! How is she? Is she alright?"

"Family, please," Dr. Gardner said, shaking him off. "We did everything we could. But the impact was too severe—the baby didn't make it. We barely managed to save the mother."

Maximus felt the air leave his lungs. "Right. Okay. Thank you, Doctor. At least she's alive."

He let go, his gaze drifting aimlessly. Behind him, he heard the rustle of fabric as Caspian pulled Rose into a tight embrace, murmuring comforting words.

"It's alright, Rose. See? She survived. I believe you—you couldn't have pushed her. It wasn't you."

Maximus looked away, his eyes vacant. Another child lost. His second child, gone, just like that.

"Maximus," Rose whispered, her eyes swollen and red as she looked up at him. "Do you really not believe me at all?"

"Rose Harrison," Maximus spat, his voice like jagged glass. "You vile woman. I only believe what I saw with my own eyes."

He couldn't reconcile it. Why would she shove a pregnant woman down ten flights of stairs? Why was she so desperate to kill his child?

"Maximus, have you ever loved me? Even once?"

Maximus gave a cold, hollow laugh. "Love you? Rose, do you even deserve it?"

The words hit her like a physical blow. Her vision blurred, and she crumpled, collapsing into Caspian’s arms.

Maximus didn't look back. He kept his eyes fixed on the empty operating room, a sharp, nameless ache blooming in his chest.

Minutes later, the doors swung open and Delilah Kelly was wheeled out.

"Family of the patient," the nurse called out, her tone brisk. "She's just lost her baby; her mental state is fragile. You need to offer her support."

"Of course." Maximus bolted forward. He grabbed Delilah's hand, staring at her pale, lifeless face. His heart twisted.

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a gentle, ragged whisper. "It’s okay, Delilah. Just stay with me. We’ll have another. We’ll have as many as you want."

He didn't spare a glance back. He trailed the gurney, his hand locked tightly in hers, disappearing toward the ward.