The Price of Survival

Julian watched the color drain from Nora’s sunken face. A twisted amusement danced in his dark eyes as he observed her shattered expression. He leaned closer, his broad shoulders casting a heavy shadow over her frail figure, and delivered the confirmation with unwavering certainty. "The kids you spent months carrying in your womb. They are still alive."

Nora staggered back, her knees hitting the metal frame of the hospital bed. "That's impossible!"

For five agonizing years, she had lived with the crushing reality that her babies had died. She remembered the cold, damp walls of her prison cell, the overwhelming physical pain of labor, and the prison doctor declaring that the infants had suffocated in her womb. She had never even heard them cry. Her entire reality was built on that profound loss.

Julian leaned back. Supreme confidence radiated from his posture. "How is that impossible? Taking a couple of infants out of a prison block is child's play for the Crawford family. You are still legally my wife. Did you think I lacked the authority to handle the bastards you carried?"

The sterile room spun around Nora. A high-pitched ringing echoed in her ears. She stared at the imposing man standing before her, desperately searching his cruel features for a lie.

"Work with me," Julian demanded, laying down his uncompromising terms. "Behave obediently in the operating room. If you do, I might be kind enough to tell you where those bastards are."

Caught between a desperate, blooming hope and a deep-seated distrust, Nora forced herself to stand. Her legs shook under her meager weight. She gazed up at Julian. This man used to be the greatest love of her life. Now, he was the architect of her worst nightmares.

"Are my kids really alive?" she asked, her voice cracking under the emotional weight.

"Do I have to lie to you?"

Nora shook her head slowly. She could not trust him. Yet, a desperate, undeniable part of her prayed his words were true. "Julian, I don't believe you."

Julian reached out and clamped his strong fingers around her jaw. He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his icy gaze. "Do you have another choice but to believe me?"

His resentment felt like thin needles piercing her skin. Nora stared into his dark eyes. Her one-sided affection from years ago had mutated into searing hatred. Her blood boiled, rushing hot through her veins. She despised him so much that she wanted to tear into his flesh.

In a sudden flash of physical defiance, Nora lunged forward. She clamped her teeth down hard on the fleshy webbing between Julian's thumb and index finger. She bit down with every ounce of strength left in her fragile body.

A sharp hiss escaped Julian's lips. He reacted instantly to the sudden attack, his free hand shooting out to grab a fistful of her hair. He yanked her head back with harsh force and shoved her away.

Nora flew backward like a discarded ragdoll. She hit the sterile hospital floor, her thin bones aching from the harsh impact.

Fresh blood dripped heavily from Julian's mangled hand, leaving bright crimson spots on the white floor tiles.

The metallic taste of his blood coated Nora's tongue. A twisted sense of elation swelled in her chest. She wiped her bloodied mouth with the back of her hand, pushed herself up on her elbows, and sneered up at him. "Julian Crawford, you will regret this."

Julian stared down at his bleeding hand, his expression glacial. "Regret is not a word in my dictionary. If there is one thing I should rue in this lifetime, it is the fact that I married you."

He turned his attention to a nurse lingering nervously near the doorway. "Continue with her next check-up. Then get me a rabies shot."

Nora remained on the cold floor, watching his broad back as he turned to leave.

Moments ago, after enduring the humiliation at Arthur’s funeral, she had wanted to ruin Daphne and then disappear, or perhaps just succumb to the heavy weight of death. But Julian’s cruel words had inadvertently sparked a fierce, unquenchable fire in her soul.

She had to live. She intended to reclaim her stolen children. More than that, she desperately needed to survive long enough to watch Julian's face shatter. She wanted to be there when he finally discovered the truth—that Daphne, the delicate woman he protected and doted on so blindly, was the real murderer who killed his beloved grandfather.

"Julian Crawford," Nora called out, her voice raspy but firm. She stopped him just as he reached the threshold. "Where are my children?"

Julian paused in the doorway. He withheld the prize, refusing to look back at her. "You will see them after you come out of the operating theater."

Nora pushed herself into a sitting position, her knuckles turning white as she clenched her fists. "Do you swear?"

Julian shot a disdainful glance over his shoulder. He smirked at her, viewing her as an ant he could easily crush beneath his shoe. He offered no promise. He knew with unshakeable certainty that she would comply. She would not dare risk her children's lives.

Outside the room, the lead doctor stood holding a medical chart. Julian approached him, wrapping a pristine handkerchief around his bleeding hand. "When can she go in for the surgery?"

The doctor glanced into the room at Nora. He pitied her skeletal condition, but he knew Leo's life hung in the balance. "Mr. Crawford, based on the extensive check-ups we just ran, Ms. Sterling suffers from severe malnutrition. Her body is incredibly frail after her time in prison. It will be far too dangerous to proceed with the bone marrow extraction right now. She will not survive the table. My official suggestion is to give her one week to recuperate."

A dark, impatient glint flashed in Julian's eyes. He processed the frustrating medical reality. "One week later. Schedule the surgery."

After Julian marched down the hallway, Nora pulled herself up and sat on the edge of the bed. The young nurse entered the room, looking uneasy.

"Miss," Nora asked, keeping her tone gentle and urgent. "Could I borrow your phone?"

The nurse hesitated, glancing at the empty doorway, before pulling a smartphone from her pocket and handing it over.

Nora typed in the phone number she had memorized years ago. The line rang twice before connecting.

"Roman," she said, gripping the phone tightly. "It's me, Nora. I am at the hospital now. Can you come over?"

On the other end of the line, Roman Kensington sat frozen behind his executive desk. The pen in his hand slipped and hit the floor. She was out of prison? When did this happen?

"I'll be right there," he promised immediately.

Roman hung up the phone. His heart hammered against his ribs. He tapped the flashing notification icon on his screen and frowned. A group chat was exploding with video clips of Nora being publicly mocked and degraded at Arthur's funeral earlier that day. His grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles turned white.

He shouted for his secretary, who hurried into the office.

"Get me a full set of women's clothes," Roman instructed quickly. "Size S. And proper shoes, size thirty-six. Bring them straight to the car."

The secretary blinked in surprise but nodded respectfully. "Yes, Mr. Kensington."

Meanwhile, in the VIP pediatric wing, Daphne sat beside a hospital bed, putting on an Oscar-worthy performance as the perfect, deeply loving mother. A fresh piece of white gauze rested on her forehead, doing nothing to diminish her carefully crafted beauty.

Leo lay against the pillows, his small face sickly pale. He looked up at Daphne with wide, innocent eyes. "Mommy, does your head hurt?"

Daphne smiled tenderly. "My dear boy, it won't hurt anymore if you blow on it for me."

Leo remembered his old nanny doing the same thing when he scraped his knees. He leaned forward and blew a soft puff of air over the gauze.

Daphne beamed, ensuring she projected her gentle voice perfectly. "My boy is so amazing. Mommy doesn't feel any pain now."

Julian walked through the door just in time to witness the tender exchange. His cold heart thawed slightly at the sight. He did not harbor deep romantic love for Daphne, but they had shared a bed, and she had given him this precious child. For Leo's sake, Julian believed he should eventually give Daphne the official title of Mrs. Crawford.

"Daddy!" Leo cheered, his thin arms reaching out.

Julian crossed the room and scooped the frail boy into his arms. He looked at Daphne. "Leo will have the surgery in exactly one week."

Daphne gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in feigned shock. "She... she agreed?"

Julian did not elaborate on the cruel blackmail he had used to secure Nora's compliance. He wanted to shield his son from the ugly realities of the world. "Yes."

Daphne pressed her palms together, her eyes shining with fake tears of joy. "Thank goodness!"

Julian watched her reaction, believing her maternal delight to be genuine. "The surgery will be successful, Daphne."

Daphne reached out and cupped Leo's pale cheeks. The boy inherited Julian's striking features, though right now, they were hollowed out by illness. She kissed Leo's cheek loudly. "Leo, this is Mommy's happiest day."

"I'm happy too if Mommy is happy," Leo replied, his voice weak.

Julian felt a deep pang of sorrow tightening his chest. Leo was smaller and weaker than any child his age. He did not understand why fate punished an innocent child. Julian wished he could take the illness upon himself instead of watching his son suffer.

"Daphne, I will leave Leo under your care for now," Julian said, setting the boy back against the pillows.

Daphne nodded gracefully. "I understand, Jules. Today is Grandpa Arthur's funeral. I am sorry I called you away in a panic. Please, go back to the arrangements. Leo, say goodbye to Daddy."

Leo waved a small hand. "Bye, Daddy."

Julian ruffled his son's soft hair. "Listen to Mommy well. Call Daddy if anything happens, okay?"

"Yes, Daddy. I will be good."

Julian turned and stepped out of the ward, the warmth fading from his eyes the second the door clicked shut. His trusted assistant, Owen, stood waiting in the corridor.

"Mr. Crawford," Owen greeted, falling into step beside him.

"Is it all done?" Julian asked, his voice returning to its usual indifferent chill.

"The bodyguards are in place to protect Mrs. Crawford."

Julian stopped walking. He shot Owen an icy glare. "Mrs. Crawford?"

Owen swallowed hard, correcting his mistake instantly. "Ms. Sterling, sir. I have a full team stationed around her ward. Twenty-four-seven surveillance."

"Keep a close eye on her," Julian ordered, his tone laced with a strict warning. "Do not let her out of your sight. I will hold you personally responsible if anything happens to her."

Julian strode down the main hospital corridor and stepped out into the expansive, bustling lobby. As he moved toward the exit, a familiar figure rushed through the automatic sliding doors, orchestrating a tense collision.

Roman Kensington hurried inside. Behind him, his assistant and secretary struggled to keep up, dragging two expensive suitcases filled with the fresh clothes and necessities he had just purchased for Nora.

Julian paused. He sized up his business rival, taking in the designer luggage and Roman's breathless state. A mocking sneer twisted Julian's handsome features. He blocked Roman's path, forcing the other man to halt.

The tension between the two powerful men immediately thickened the air. Julian let out a low, derisive chuckle, his eyes locking onto Roman's.

"Roman," Julian said, his voice delivering a sharp, mocking blow. "Five years, and you are still hung up on the exact woman I don't want."