Chapter 301 - The Stranger
"Mom's planning to take you away for a little while. Where would you like to go?"
Before her pregnancy became obvious, she knew she needed to find a place where nobody recognized her to give birth.
While she pondered her options, her phone started ringing.
Ava Anderson didn't recognize the caller ID as she picked up the phone and saw an unfamiliar number.
She swiped the screen and answered.
"Hello?"
There was silence on the other end.
"Hello, can I help you?"
Still no response.
With a beep, the call ended.
Ava felt a sense of suspicion. Was it a wrong number?
As she was about to put her phone down, the same number called again.
This time Ava answered more deliberately, "Hello?"
Silence again filled the space.
"If you don't speak up, I'm going to hang up and block this number."
No answer came, but Ava suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
She could hear breathing—a person's normal breathing.
This meant that the caller's device was fine; they were choosing to remain silent.
The caller ID simply read "Unknown."
Ava's anxiety spiked as she quickly hung up and blocked the number.
It must be some prankster or a scam caller. With the abundance of scam calls these days, it probably was a mind game.
Yet, she still felt uneasy.
"Baby, it's okay, don't be scared. It was just a silly call, mommy's blocked it now."
...
At the hospital.
Isabella Harrington flipped through her phone, bringing up Alexander Mitchell's number multiple times, only to close it again and again before tossing the phone aside in frustration.
She had never felt this scared. She worried about Alexander growing tired of her.
Could he be getting fed up with her because she was close to death, making him care less?
And right at this time, Ava Anderson had swooped in.
No, Alexander couldn't be that cruel. It must be Ava, that woman, to blame. It was her always flitting around Alexander, even trying to act like his sister, which was laughable. Did she even deserve that role?
Ava Anderson, even if I were truly about to die, I would drag you down to hell with me. I'd never let you have Alex!
Isabella Harrington had made up her mind. Even if it meant death, she was determined to take Ava Anderson down with her! She absolutely refused to stand by and watch that woman be with Alex.
"That's really well-spoken for someone who's supposed to be sick."
A man's voice suddenly filled the hospital room. Isabella turned her head and noticed a man dressed all in black enter the room. He was wearing a black cap and a mask, covering himself so thoroughly that his face was hidden. The only clear detail was his tall build. Straight, sturdy, yet not rough around the edges. Even in such attire, there was an unmistakable charisma about him—a young, handsome aura.
Isabella's face tensed, "Who are you?"
The man shut the door of the hospital room, strode over to her bedside with long steps, and looked down at her. "Miss Harrington, hello. I believe I'm going to be your friend."
Isabella nervously raised her hand to press the bedside button. The man watched her, hands casually tucked into his pockets. She pressed the button, but there was no response from the medical staff.
"Miss Harrington, stop pressing. The nurse's station won't receive it unless I reconnect it for you."
