Chapter 93
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93
The young doctor’s gaze was cold. It was a natural reaction, considering Vanessa had just made a massive fuss about needing immediate surgery, only to cause a scene by refusing to lift her skirt in the public examination room.
"Fortunately, the glass shards weren't embedded deeply enough to require surgery. I've removed them all, so we just need to disinfect the wound and apply a bandage. I'll prescribe some ointment, so make sure to apply it on schedule."
"...Thank you."
"You may leave now. Oh, and since you seem incapable of lifting a single finger on your own, I suppose I should call your maid for you."
Vanessa's cheeks burned at the biting remark.
"Please, wait a moment."
She bit her lip, agonizing over how to begin. Leaving the hotel on her own had been an encouraging first step, but that didn't mean she was free to move about as she pleased.
Servants and a driver accompanied her everywhere, and the maid who had tagged along under the pretext of helping with minor chores was nothing more than a glorified watchdog. Though she had stubbornly insisted on being seen in the doctor's private office, she had aroused a great deal of unnecessary suspicion in the process.
"Miss?" the doctor's sharp voice cut through her thoughts.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"If you have no other business, I'd appreciate it if you would leave. I'm very busy today."
"There is one more thing I'd like you to examine. And, though it's embarrassing, I have a personal favor to ask."
"And why should I grant a patient's personal favor?"
"I beg you, please lower your voice. They might hear us outside."
Vanessa gestured toward the maid visible through the glass window and desperately pressed a finger to her lips. The doctor pushed the glasses up the bridge of her thin nose, her expression skeptical. Then, a flicker of understanding crossed her face.
"...Are you in some kind of trouble?" she asked in a hushed whisper. "If so, nod your head."
Vanessa nodded.
"Are you involved in a crime?"
She shook her head vigorously from side to side.
"Is this something the maid outside must not know?"
Another nod. As soon as Vanessa confirmed, the doctor drew the curtains over the window facing the hallway. She found a pen and a notepad on her desk, which was piled high with papers, and held them out. Write it down, she mouthed.
Vanessa quickly took the pen and scribbled her question.
I want to confirm if I am pregnant.
It was blunt, but she had no time to waste. Handing the notepad back with a desperate look, Vanessa watched as the doctor took the pen and added a question below.
Any symptoms? Morning sickness, bloating, dizziness, changes in appetite?
Yes.
How late is your period?
Over six weeks.
The doctor gave an understanding nod and slowly stood. She went to her desk, pulled a small glass vial of white pills from a drawer, and placed two of them onto a piece of pre-cut wrapping paper. She quickly folded it and handed it to Vanessa.
"This is a urine test. Drop these in and see if it fizzes."
Thank you.
"If this is an unwanted pregnancy, I can refer you to someone."
The doctor took the notepad from Vanessa's hand and tore off the page they had used. On the fresh sheet behind it, she wrote clearly: Madame Luther. 3 Grosvenor Street, followed by a detailed address and phone number.
Vanessa froze, taken aback to see a familiar name in such an unexpected place. The "purity examiner," whose information was secretly shared among the nobility. The memory of blood-tinged water dripping onto her forearm on that early summer night was not easily forgotten.
She had thought the woman was merely a blackmailer extorting money from the wealthy. She never expected her to be famous for this.
"She's expensive, but I hear her success rate is high. They say it doesn't leave much of a scar, either. Of course, it's illegal, and if things go wrong, it could cost you your life, so I can't openly recommend it."
"...Thank you for the advice."
"Is that all?"
"I know I'm being shameless, but could I ask for one more favor?"
At Vanessa's pleading look, the doctor sighed and nodded.
"Fine. What is it?"
"Could I see today's newspaper? I'll send a messenger to pay for it this afternoon."
The doctor looked at her as if she were making the strangest request imaginable. But in the end, she seemed to decide it wasn't her place to judge. She picked up the receiver and connected to the hospital's front desk.
"Bring today's newspaper to my office. And some hot coffee."
Putting down the receiver, the doctor turned back to Vanessa, who clasped her hands tightly.
"Thank you..."
"The nurse usually brings me coffee and the paper around this time anyway. I'll tell the maid outside that I need to examine your wound in more detail, so take your time. You have about thirty minutes, though I can't imagine what you're looking for."
Vanessa nodded, her expression one of profound relief.
"You've truly saved me. Um, but about today..."
"I'll act as if I heard nothing. I don't want to get involved in anything troublesome. Just make a generous donation to the hospital later, when you can afford it."
After closing the door, Vanessa could faintly hear the doctor speaking to the maid in the hallway. She slowly let out the breath she had been holding.
Things were going better than expected. Her regret over not contacting Logan Dawson had vanished completely. A phone call always carried the risk of being wiretapped. If the operator was one of Battenberg's people, every incoming and outgoing call would almost certainly be recorded.
I shouldn't trouble Logan any further. I'm already so indebted to his great-uncle for his legal help.
Just as she let out a weary sigh, the nurse opened the door and walked in. She gave Vanessa a brief nod, then set the newspaper she carried under her arm and a cup of coffee on the desk. Having likely been forewarned, she didn't seem flustered by the presence of a strange woman in the office.
As soon as the nurse left, Vanessa snatched up the newspaper. It was the latest edition of The Ingrian, crisp and smelling strongly of ink. The date printed was undoubtedly today's. And there, at the very top...
Exclusive! Duke of Battenberg Announces Engagement!
The moment she saw the massive headline, her hands clenched the paper without thinking. A ragged breath caught in her throat.
Her lips, instantly drained of color, trembled. Her eyes habitually scanned the article below, but the printed letters seemed to float before her, breaking apart as if refusing to form coherent words.
Duke Theodore Liam Battenberg (23) and Miss Hailey Gabrielle Morton (22) have officially announced their engagement. Bellingham House stated that the couple plans to wed next spring... The two have secretly been in a long-term relationship... Exceptionally permitted a photoshoot... Burmington Palace... congratulatory message of "most blessed"...
Engagement. A long-term relationship. The moment the words pieced themselves together and she finally understood, a sharp, wrenching pain tore through her heart. Below the article was a photograph of the Duke and an unfamiliar woman, smiling brightly as they waved.
Staring blankly at the picture, she let out a hollow laugh. Unable to hold it back any longer, a single tear escaped and dripped onto the photograph.
* * *
She didn't even remember how she got into the car. Vanessa leaned her forehead weakly against the cool window, her gaze lost in the distance. Her heart screamed to flee somewhere, anywhere, but the car had been stuck in the same spot for over ten minutes. The brilliant colors of summer and the low rumble of the engine scattered over the hot, shimmering road.
Peering out the window at the congested street, the maid muttered with a troubled expression.
"We only have one block to go, but the traffic isn't moving at all."
"The crowd in front of the hotel... they all look like reporters, don't they?"
"...Yes, Miss. It certainly seems so. I wonder what on earth is going on..."
Vanessa quietly observed the chaos. It didn't take long for her to make up her mind.
"I'll get out here and walk."
"What? Miss, what are you saying?"
"There are too many reporters. I want to be careful. They might not be here for us, but if someone recognizes me, it could start rumors."
"...Ah, you're right, Miss."
"I'll go on ahead."
Before the maid could reply, Vanessa quickly opened the car door and stepped out. With every step, a sharp pain shot through her bandaged left foot, but it was nothing compared to the shredding of her heart.
Tears welled again beneath her trembling eyelashes. She was disappointed that the Duke had announced his engagement without a single word to her, but that feeling was quickly swallowed by a wave of sheer sorrow when she realized there had never been any loyalty to uphold between them in the first place.
After all, what were they? Not lovers. Not even a master and his mistress. Theirs was just an ambiguous relationship, with no name to define it.