Chapter 187
Matt’s routine checkup had gone better than I expected. Dr. Porter seemed genuinely pleased with his progress, confirming that he was gaining weight just right and that all his reflexes were perfect for his corrected age. It was always such a relief to hear that my little fighter was getting stronger every day.
“He’s absolutely perfect,” the pediatrician said, handing Matt back to me after the exam. “Keep doing exactly what you’ve been doing until the next appointment.”
A deep wave of relief washed over me. Even though I knew Matt was doing well, there was always that quiet, nagging worry that only eased once a doctor confirmed everything was fine. I kissed his tiny forehead, breathing in that sweet baby scent I never seemed to get enough of.
Leaving the office, I carried Matt in his car seat toward the waiting area, expecting to find Richard, Christian’s security guard, who he insisted accompany me anytime I left the house. It was a precaution I’d resisted at first. After all, things had finally settled down. Lawrence had been on the run for weeks, and I just wanted to feel normal again. But Christian had been firm.
“As long as he’s not caught, you’re not going anywhere alone,” he’d said in that steady, no- arguments tone of his. “I’m not risking losing you or Matt.”
And so here I was, three weeks later, still being escorted everywhere like some kind of VIP. It was embarrassing sometimes, especially when other moms at the hospital threw curious glances at the tall, stone-faced man in a suit shadowing me… but I understood Christian’s concern.
Only this time, when I reached the waiting room, Robert wasn’t there.
I looked around, frowning, expecting him to reappear from the restroom or maybe from a quick errand. But the room was full of families waiting for appointments, and there was no sign of him anywhere.
A tight knot formed in my stomach. Robert was far too professional to just vanish like that.
I pulled out my phone and called his number, listening to it ring until it went to voicemail. Trie gain. Same thing. My unease quickly sharpened into panic.
Without hesitating, I called Christian.
“Hey, love,” his warm voice instantly soothed me. “How did Matt’s checkup go?”
“It was great, he’s perfect,” I said quickly, then got straight to the point. “But Christian, Robert’s gone. He’s not in the waiting room, and he’s not answering his phone.”
There was a short but heavy pause.
“What do you mean, gone?” His voice changed instantly, taking on that sharp, controlled tone he used when he went into protective mode.
“When I left the office, he just wasn’t here. I tried calling him, but nothing.”
“Zoey, listen to me carefully. Don’t leave the hospital. Stay exactly where you are. I’m coming to get you right now.
“Christian, that’s not necessary,” I said. “The driver’s already waiting outside, and the house is just fifteen minutes away. It’s a road we know by heart.”
“Zoey, I’d rather you wait-”
“Love, Kenny has been your driver for years. Matt’s getting fussy and needs to eat. It’ll be fine.”
I heard him exhale on the other end, the sound halfway between worry and frustration.
“I don’t like this, Zoey.”
“I know,” I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady. “But I can’t live in fear forever. I’ll go home with Kenny and call you the second I get there.”


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