NO MORE RUNNING
The hospital room was silent except for the steady beep of the heart monitor.
Elara lay on the bed, pale but awake. Lucien sat beside her, his hand never leaving hers.
"Bed rest," she sighed softly.
"I hate staying still."
Lucien forced a small smile.
"Just for now. For the baby."
Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach.
"Our little fighter," she whispered.
---
Lucien Makes His Move
Outside the room, Lucien spoke quietly into his phone.
"Track every camera in the city," he ordered.
"I want Serena found. Tonight."
His security chief hesitated.
"She's smart. She knows how to disappear."
Lucien's voice turned cold.
"Then be smarter."
---
A Traitor Revealed
At Wynn Media Group, Maria paced nervously.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown: "She survived."
Maria swallowed hard and typed back:
"She collapsed like you wanted. But she's still alive."
A reply came instantly.
Serena: "Good. Keep feeding me information."
Maria's hands shook.
She had been leaking Elara's schedule.
---
Lucien's Discovery
Security footage played on Lucien's tablet.
He saw Maria speaking secretly on her phone.
Then zoomed in.
His eyes narrowed.
"Bring her in."
---
Confrontation
Maria broke down immediately.
"I'm sorry!" she cried.
"She threatened me. Said she'd ruin my family!"
Lucien's jaw tightened.
"You endangered a pregnant woman," he said coldly.
"You don't get to cry now."
Security escorted her away.
---
Serena's Escape
Serena sat in an abandoned warehouse, laughing.
"She's on bed rest now?" she murmured.
"Perfect."
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown: "Lucien is hunting you."
She smirked.
"Let him."
---
Elara's Fear
Back at the hospital, Elara stared at the ceiling.
"I feel useless," she whispered.
"She's destroying my life while I lie here."
Lucien kissed her knuckles.
"You're protecting our child. That's strength."
Her eyes softened.
"Promise me something."
"Anything."
"If things get bad… don't choose revenge over us."
Lucien hesitated… then nodded.
"I choose you. Always."