The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 82

“What do you mean, the baby’s gone?”

Sebastian’s eyes went wide, his whole body swaying as if the floor had just disappeared beneath him. He looked like he’d been punched in the gut.

Hadn’t the doctor said on the phone it was just a bit of oxygen deprivation from being stuck in a stuffy room too long?

The doctor watched him closely, choosing his words with care. “Ms. Meyer took a hit to the abdomen not long ago. The pregnancy was already unstable.

“And with the recent lack of oxygen, there just wasn’t enough blood flow. By the time she reached the hospital, it was too late.”

Reese blinked in surprise. She’d gotten rid of the baby a month ago. Why was the doctor saying this now?

“A hit?”

Sebastian frowned, suddenly remembering what Brady had told him earlier. Robbie had kicked Reese in the stomach that afternoon.

Reese looked perfectly fine, so he figured it wasn’t a big deal. He never expected this.

His heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, pain creeping in from every angle. And yet, buried somewhere deep inside, he felt the faintest, most shameful sense of relief.

Maybe it was better this way.

He’d kept his promise. The baby was gone, and now he hadn’t technically broken his word.

But what about Reese?

Sebastian closed his eyes, trying to breathe.

At least he and Reese still have Robbie.

Thinking of Robbie, Sebastian’s jaw tightened. He turned to Brady, who’d been waiting outside the hospital room.

“Go to the old house. Bring Robbie here.

“And check the security footage outside the BlackOak research lab. Every second of it. Don’t miss anything.

“My wife was hurt at BlackOak. Alan owes us an explanation.”

Brady nodded and slipped away. As he turned the hallway corner, he thought he saw someone duck out of view.

He paused, glanced around, but saw nothing. Shaking his head, he hurried off.

Once the elevator doors closed behind him, a figure stepped out from around the corner.

Matthew watched Brady’s back for a few moments, then started toward Reese’s room.

Sebastian’s low voice drifted through the half-open door. “The baby’s gone, but try not to dwell on it. You need to focus on getting better. We can always have another child.”

Matthew stopped in his tracks. So Sebastian was Reese’s husband.

Life really did have a twisted sense of humor.

He smirked, shaking his head, and quietly backed away. Before the elevator doors slid shut, he looked back at the hospital room one more time.

“If you hadn’t drugged Sebastian and slept with him, you really think he’d have married you?

“You used to act so high and mighty just because you were pregnant. Well, look at you now—no baby. What else do you have?”

Sebastian stared at Jane, stunned. He never thought his always-elegant, always-composed mother would say something like that, especially in front of Robbie.

“Mom, what happened back then wasn’t Reese’s fault—”

He tried to explain, but Jane cut him off. “If it wasn’t her fault, then whose was it? She’s lost the baby and you’re still defending her?”

Sebastian’s eyes darkened. A wave of exhaustion washed over him.

Was this what Reese had put up with all these years?

“Enough, Mom.”

His voice was sharper than he meant, heavy with guilt.

Jane flinched, staring at him in disbelief. “Sebastian, are you raising your voice at me? For her?”

She’d spent her whole life caring for the Ratcliff family. Sebastian had never spoken to her like this—ever.

Sebastian didn’t meet her eyes. His gaze stayed on Reese’s pale face.

“She just lost her baby. She’s hurting. Please, leave her alone.”