"But Stella has such a fierce temper. I'm afraid she might…"

Before she finished, Graham suddenly got a bad feeling. His chest prickled as if something had stung him.

He rubbed his brow, but his voice remained firm.

"She's only jealous. Even if it hurts, she can endure it. Her due date hasn't arrived yet. It's good to temper her temper a little.

"The Whitmore family needs a wife who understands propriety. Once she thinks it through, she'll understand me."

Stella Hayes was a pampered heiress with a good family and every advantage.

But Natalie had once risked her life to save him. Now she was miserable and alone. How could he bear to let her suffer again?

After Stella gave birth, he would compensate her properly.

As if remembering something, he suddenly withdrew his hand and soothed Natalie gently.

"Natalie, rest well. I'll go home and check on her, then come back."

"Graham." Natalie clutched his sleeve and sobbed softly. "The doctor said the baby still isn't out of danger. Come back quickly. I'm scared…"

"I will."

He pried her fingers loose and left quickly.

On the road, he began planning. Once the child was born, he would arrange the best private maternity care for Stella, the most experienced nurses, the finest baby supplies—everything would be the best.

At a red light, an ambulance screamed past from the opposite direction. The siren hurt his ears.

For a second, he thought he saw Claire inside, her face tight with panic.

A terrifying thought flashed through his mind.

No.

That could not be.

He had called Parker that afternoon. Parker had said nothing was wrong. Stella had to still be at home, waiting for him.

Graham slammed on the gas. He had to see Stella immediately. If something had happened, he could take her to the hospital himself.

He pulled out his phone and called her, but only the automated voice told him no one answered.

Unease rose in him. He called Claire.

The moment the call connected, Claire's furious voice exploded through the speaker.

"Graham Whitmore, you animal! I will make that woman disappear!"

Graham's face changed.

"Claire, how can you say that? Are you home? Stella isn't answering her phone…"

"You still have the nerve to mention Stella?" Claire roared.

"She is in an ambulance right now. The doctor said she could die at any moment. Graham, for that woman, you harmed Stella and your child. I have no brother like you."

Graham slammed the brakes and nearly hit the guardrail.

His hands gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

"No. That's impossible." His voice shook. "Claire, you're lying to me, right? I'm almost home. Let me explain…"

The call descended into chaos.

He heard someone shout clearly, "Pregnant patient hemorrhaging! Make way!"

Then the call ended.

No.

No.

Stella had to be fine. She had to be at home waiting for him.

With shaking hands, Graham called his secretary.

"I want the most expensive limited-edition jewelry and the best maternity and baby supplies. Send them over immediately. The faster, the better."

After hanging up, he floored the gas pedal and sped away.