Chapter 5 - Hannah’s Secret EvidenceHannah’s pregnancy reached sixteen weeks on a cold Thursday morning.
She attended an appointment alone.
The doctor showed her the baby’s hands, feet and steady heartbeat.
“Everything looks healthy,” the doctor said.
Hannah smiled through tears.
She requested a printed ultrasound image and placed it inside her purse.
For weeks, she had debated whether to tell Jack in person.
The threatening messages had made her cautious, but she believed he deserved to know about the child.
Even if he did not love her anymore, he had a right to decide whether he wanted to be a father.
Hannah wrote him a letter.
She did not accuse him.
She did not ask him to return.
She simply told him the truth.
You are going to have a child. I will not use this baby to change your decision, but I will not hide their existence from you.
She placed the ultrasound photograph inside the envelope.
Before she could mail it, Daniel appeared outside her office.
Hannah had not seen him since the divorce.
He looked almost friendly as he approached.
“We need to talk.”
Hannah stepped back.
“How did you find me?”
“I’ve always known where you were. Jack asked me to make sure you stayed safe.”
The words made her uneasy.
“He told me not to contact him.”
Daniel’s expression shifted for only a second.
Then he smiled sympathetically.
“My brother is complicated.”
Hannah studied him.
“Did Jack send you?”
“No.”
“Then leave.”
Daniel noticed the envelope in her hand.
Jack’s name was written across the front.
His gaze dropped to Hannah’s stomach.
The loose coat no longer completely concealed the curve beneath it.
Understanding moved across his face.
Hannah saw it.
She quickly placed the envelope inside her bag.
“You’re pregnant,” Daniel said.
“That is none of your business.”
“It becomes my business when the child is connected to the Mercer family.”
Hannah felt a coldness she had never experienced around him before.
Daniel stepped closer.
“You should think very carefully before contacting Jack.”
“Why?”
“He has moved on.”
“Then he can tell me himself.”
Daniel’s smile disappeared.
“You have no idea what that child could trigger.”
Hannah secretly activated the voice recorder on her phone.
“What do you mean?”
Daniel glanced toward the office entrance, aware of employees passing nearby.
He lowered his voice.
“Some inheritances create enemies before a child is even born.”
Hannah stared at him.
“Are you threatening my baby?”
“I’m warning you.”
“About whom?”
Daniel took another step forward.
“About everyone.”
He walked away before she could respond.
Hannah immediately saved the recording to a private cloud account. She also sent a copy to Ryan Cole, whose contact information she remembered from the early days of the security investigation.
Ryan called within five minutes.
“Where are you?”
“My office.”
“Do not leave alone.”
“Do you know what he meant?”
“I have a theory.”
“Tell me.”
“Not over the phone.”
Ryan instructed her to remain inside while he drove across the city.
He never reached her.
At 6:12 p.m., Hannah received a message from Daniel’s number.
Jack wants to see the ultrasound. Meet him in the private parking level beneath St. Catherine’s Hospital. He doesn’t want the press involved.
Hannah knew she should call Jack directly.
But every previous attempt to contact him had been rejected.
Hope overpowered caution.
St. Catherine’s was only a few blocks from her office. Hannah believed a hospital parking garage would be filled with cameras and security.
She told her assistant where she was going and entered a taxi.
When she reached the hospital, she found no sign of Jack.
The parking level was nearly empty.
Her phone rang.
Daniel’s name appeared on the screen.
Hannah answered.
“Where is Jack?”
Daniel’s voice was calm.
“He isn’t coming.”
Hannah turned toward the exit.
A dark figure moved near the stairwell.
She began walking faster.
“You sent the messages,” she said.
Daniel did not deny it.
“You were given every opportunity to leave.”
Hannah’s heart pounded.
“I saved everything.”
“Then I hope someone finds it.”
May you like
The figure behind her moved closer.
Hannah ran.
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