One Night, The Don's Heir

CARA POV:

Arthur's slap was brutal. Instantly, a loud ringing filled my ears, and a burning red handprint bloomed across my cheek. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. But I didn't cry. I just gritted my teeth, kept my spine perfectly straight, and knelt there, refusing to admit fault.

I had done nothing wrong! I was the victim here. I took this slap unjustly, but I swore to myself that if I ever had the chance to meet that man again, the one who did this to me, I would return this humiliation a hundredfold!

"Get rid of this child! Immediately!" Arthur issued his final, uncompromising order, turning his back on me in disgust.

Before leaving the room, Skylar paused beside me and sighed, a sickeningly sweet smile playing on her lips. "Sister, Evan was so good to you. You really shouldn't have betrayed him like this..."

My heart ached as if pierced by a thousand needles. But I also knew that, as of today, I was no longer worthy of Evan. My life had been derailed by a phantom.

...

I took a leave of absence from my classes and went to the clinic to have the child removed.

Fearing I might try to run away or back out, Hettie accompanied me, watching me like a hawk.

"Cara Wells!"

The nurse called my name. I stood up, feeling as if I were walking toward my own execution. It all felt like a nightmare. I kept hoping that if I just closed my eyes and opened them again, I would wake up in my bed, and this nightmare would vanish.

"Take off your pants and lie back. We're preparing the anesthesia," the doctor's voice was cold and mechanical.

I climbed onto the surgical table, placing my feet in the cold metal stirrups. I thought I had mentally prepared myself for this, thinking I could face it calmly. But lying there under the glaring surgical lights, I couldn't stop shivering. I was freezing, trembling uncontrollably.

I hated him.

I deeply hated the man who had made me pregnant.

But the most ridiculous part was... I didn't even know who he was! How could such an absurd, tragic thing happen to me?

Just as my mind was racing with chaotic thoughts, the heavy doors of the operating room were violently pushed open.

A group of people in white coats rushed in, their faces pale and slick with sweat, looking as if they were facing a life-or-death crisis.

"Director!" The operating doctor and nurses all stood up collectively, greeting the man leading the group. I lay on the table, too exhausted and numb to care about the intrusion.

"Cara Wells! Which one of you is Cara Wells? Has the surgery started yet?!" the hospital director demanded loudly, panic and sheer terror evident in his voice.

I frowned and weakly propped myself up on my elbows.

The nurse pointed a trembling finger at me. "Director, is this the Cara Wells you're looking for?"

The director pulled out a photograph, carefully comparing it to my face. He nodded vigorously. "Yes! That's her! Has she been operated on?"

"We were just about to administer the anesthesia!"

"Stop! Nobody is allowed to perform surgery on her!" The director's sudden command left everyone in the room utterly bewildered.

The director's assistant leaned in close to the operating doctor's ear and whispered frantically, "We just got a call from the top. The orders are clear: no hospital and no doctor is allowed to take Miss Wells's abortion case. Otherwise, face the absolute worst consequences!"

The operating doctor looked curious and terrified. "Whose call was it?"

The assistant leaned in closer, lowering his voice even more. He uttered a name. The operating doctor jolted as if struck by lightning, his jaw dropping open in shock. When he looked back at me, his cold, mechanical demeanor was entirely gone, replaced by profound respect and a deep-seated fear.

"Miss Wells, please, let us help you out of here!" The director personally came forward to assist me. Several nurses rushed to help me off the table, handling me as if I were made of fragile glass. "Please be careful, don't hurt the child."

I frowned, completely unable to understand the situation. "Why can't I get the child removed?"

"Miss Wells, please don't ask for the reasons. As for this child, it absolutely cannot be removed. Not only will our hospital refuse to do it, but there isn't a single hospital or doctor in the entire country who would dare to take your case. If you don't mind, you are welcome to stay here for prenatal care. Please come to my office; I will personally conduct a check-up and prescribe the best nutritional supplements for you."

"Was the person who called you the father of this child?" I stared at the director. After the initial shock, my mind had become surprisingly calm, and my eyes were cold. "Director, who exactly is he? What right does he have to force me to keep this baby?"

Earlier, I had faintly heard the assistant mention a title-"The Don." But the specific name that followed was lost to me.

The director shook his head, looking deeply conflicted and fearful. "Miss Wells, please don't make this difficult for me. I don't know if he's the father of your child. But if you don't believe me, you are welcome to try other hospitals."