Chapter 225

Vanessa had expected to wait for the doctor to schedule her surgery. Instead, he handed her a prescription.

She frowned at the slip of paper. "I thought you said medication wasn’t an option. Why prescribe it now?"

"You have inflammation that needs treatment before we proceed with surgery."

The doctor hesitated, then added sternly, "You must abstain from intimacy for a while. Your condition is severe. If left unchecked, it could damage your uterus."

He continued listing precautions, but Vanessa tuned him out. She knew her health wasn’t perfect, but this was worse than she’d imagined. Shame burned through her at the doctor’s knowing look. At least he hadn’t recognized her.

Back home, she swallowed the pills with a gulp of water and tucked the prescription deep into her bag. Relieved that Dominic had been too busy to notice her absence, she collapsed onto the bed.

Her thoughts drifted to Lucien, and her stomach twisted. She rolled onto her side, restless. This had to end—soon. The only solution was to push Evelyn into Lucien’s arms. But how? It had to be untraceable.

The bedroom door creaked open. Dominic was home.

Vanessa feigned sleep, keeping her breathing steady.

He crossed the room and sat beside her. Even with her eyes closed, she felt the blanket shift as he tucked it around her shoulders. A soft sigh escaped him.

"Vanessa… Vanessa…" His voice was quiet, hesitant.

She remained still, but he persisted. "Are you asleep?"

No choice. She stirred, rubbing her eyes. "You’re back."

"Yeah."

Dominic leaned down, brushing a kiss against her cheek. "Did I wake you? Sorry. You’ve been working hard."

"It’s fine. I wasn’t sleeping well anyway." She studied his face—the exhaustion, the tension. "What’s wrong? You seem upset."

He forced a smile. "About the perfume formula… Do you think it needs adjustments?"

His tone was cautious, as if afraid to offend her.

Vanessa stiffened. "The formula? What’s wrong with it? You approved it before."