He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 400

In the past, Carter could read his boss's ruthless calculations like an open book.

But now, he was completely in the dark.

Sebastian listened in dead silence before finally ordering, "Keep searching. Double the bounty."

It was a definitive rejection of the current plan.

At least for now, he was refusing to take Helena's eye.

Carter didn't dare question him; he just nodded sharply and left to execute the order.

Sebastian turned the handle and walked back into the room.

Right on cue, one of the maids was setting down a plate of light snacks.

When he walked in, the food was perfectly arranged on the overbed table.

She picked at her food in total silence.

He walked over naturally and took a seat on the sofa beside her bed.

He was sitting incredibly close to her.

This had become their twisted new normal over the past few days.

He stayed in the room with her constantly.

They occupied the exact same space, yet they acted like strangers.

Most days, they didn't exchange a single word.

She finished her small portion and quietly set the silverware down.

Suddenly, she turned her head and looked directly at him.

"Yes?" he responded smoothly, completely unbothered.

"I want to go see Hope," she stated bluntly, cutting straight to the chase.

"Hope?" He paused for a fraction of a second.

Then it clicked—that was the name she had secretly given their daughter.

"Why Hope?" he asked.

From the moment she was pulled from the womb, the baby hadn't been given a name.

Because there was no point.

She wasn't even legally registered on his family registry.

Everyone in their circle knew the infant wouldn't survive past her first month.

It seemed she was the only one who had lovingly chosen an identity for the child.

She didn't avoid his gaze. "Because I hope she survives and finds peace."

He silently mouthed the name to himself a few times.

He gave a faint nod, offering no objection.

She immediately reverted to her stoic silence.

But the moment the tears spilled over, a blinding pain sliced through her eyes.

She didn't know the exact medical cause.

It was likely the combined trauma of her brutal labor and the total lack of proper postpartum care.

Coupled with the agonizing psychological torture she had endured recently.

But she couldn't care less about the physical pain. Seeing Hope breathing was the only thing that mattered in the world.

She desperately craved to hold her baby against her chest.

But she didn't dare voice the impossible demand out loud.

The more she fought the urge, the more violently it tore at her heart.

"Do you want to go inside?" he asked suddenly, breaking the heavy silence.

She whipped her head around, looking at him with desperate disbelief. "Can I?"

He didn't give her a yes or no.

Instead, he bypassed her and went straight to the attending physician.

He conveyed her request in a low voice.

The doctor hesitated for a split second before nodding vigorously.

"Mrs. Hayes, please follow me. After we get you completely sanitized, you can hold her," The Doctor instructed warmly.