Chapter 415: To Be a Third Wheel

Not long ago, when Sergio left, he had seemed perfectly fine. He’d mentioned having another patient in the afternoon, so why was he suddenly at the hospital? If he were injured, he wouldn’t have driven himself."Turn around," I instructed. "Follow that Cayenne and see where it goes."

"Yes, ma’am," the driver replied.

We trailed a few cars behind as Sergio’s vehicle pulled into the hospital parking lot. Following any further would risk being noticed. I glanced at the driver. "Can you get out and tail him on foot? Find out where he’s heading."

"On it, ma’am."

Whitney piped up, "I’ll take the wheel, Elena."

"Alright."

As she settled in, Whitney gave me a concerned look. "Are you exhausted?"

"A bit," I admitted. "I didn’t get a nap today. I’ve been feeling more and more drowsy lately."

"Close your eyes for a bit. I’ll wake you when we get there."

I leaned against the seat and drifted off before I even realized it.

When I woke, I felt a gentle touch brushing against my cheek. Groggily, I murmured, "Carl?"

Lewis bent down and lifted me effortlessly into his arms. "You’ve had a long day." Lately I’d been doing better less nausea, more energy but I still felt perpetually sleepy, like something had drained me from the inside out. I breathed in his familiar scent and buried my face against his chest without bothering to open my eyes, letting the bond between us do what it always did settle me.

Soon I felt myself laid on a bed. Lewis pulled the blanket over me, his movements careful and quiet, and let me rest a little longer before I finally roused myself.

When I sat up, I spotted him a short distance away at his desk, laptop open, working through emails. I slipped off the bed, tiptoed over, and wrapped my arms around his shoulders from behind, nuzzling against his neck. "Carl, you’re home early today."

He reached up and drew me into his lap. "I missed you. Both of you."

That reminded me of Sera’s checkup. "Any news from Sera?"

He sighed. "Yes. Vito ran the tests. Turns out her embryo isn’t developing properly it might be from the medication that night, or poor quality on his end. There’s a high chance she’ll miscarry."

"Is there anything suspicious about her beyond the pregnancy?"

"Hard to say for certain. The Hudson family is still in Jaford, so we can’t get samples quickly enough for a paternity test. Whether she’s truly one of them or not, we’ll stay cautious. If she’s connected to the organization, it might lead us to whoever’s behind her."

I nodded, meeting Lewis’s steady gaze. "At least we know one thing for sure our child is a threat to her. If she’s tied to the organization, she’ll make a move eventually. We have to stay vigilant, especially around Jeffrey. He’s an easy target."

Lewis’s expression tightened. "Your focus should be on staying healthy and taking care of the baby. Leave the rest to me. And make sure Joey keeps an eye on that psychiatrist."

"Has there been any progress?" I asked.

"He had a short meeting with the deputy director before he left. I did some digging turns out the deputy was one of his professors back in college." Lewis paused. "But why are you suddenly so interested in him? Didn’t he help you uncover that Wisteria faked her death?"

I took a moment before responding. "It’s not that I suspect him. Earlier, just before Whitney’s session ended, he mentioned having a patient in the afternoon. But then he showed up at the hospital instead. So I asked someone to check it out. If there’s a problem, we’ll catch it early. And if he’s in trouble, I want to help. It’s the least I can do to repay him for everything he’s done."

Lewis gave a curt nod, his approval clear.

In the days that followed, I accompanied Whitney to her therapy sessions. Sergio hadn’t changed much, apart from the growing pile of comic books stacking up on his desk his office was starting to feel more like a reading lounge than a clinic. Whitney was changing, though. Slowly, she began to drop her guard and work with him. The progress was subtle but steady, like sunlight breaking through a clouded sky.

Even so, I’d catch her drifting into thought, her mind undoubtedly circling back to Vito. Since that last encounter, even Lewis hadn’t been able to track him down. Whitney continued her routine at the academy, with Luther hovering like a shadow. She played her part flawlessly, never revealing too much like someone patiently waiting for the perfect moment to reel in the line.

Meanwhile, my attention had shifted to Sera. I used to think of her as a quiet homebody, content to stay indoors. But now I could see she was carefully nurturing her pregnancy and not much else. She didn’t seem remarkable. I, however, had been feeling increasingly exhausted. Today I barely managed to read three comics before sleep pulled me under on the couch.

Half-asleep, I felt something soft brush against my face. I was too groggy to open my eyes, and when I finally woke, I found a blanket draped over me and a thermos placed within arm’s reach.

Across the room, Sergio sat quietly with a psychology book in hand. I glanced at the blanket and smiled. "Did I fall asleep? Thanks for this."

He glanced up briefly. "It was nothing."

"How’s Starling doing today? Any better?"

"She’s improving," he said, his tone thoughtful. "The hypnosis seems to be helping. But she still looks pale probably the insomnia. She’s asleep in the treatment room right now."

I nodded, understanding. I had once found that same kind of solace here.

Watching him immersed in his book, I couldn’t help but ask, "You’re thirty now, right? Still no girlfriend?"

"Yeah," he answered casually. "There’s someone I like, so I’m not interested in leading anyone else on."

I blinked, caught off guard. "Wait you’ve never said anything about this. Is it someone you just met? If you like her, why not go for it?"

Sergio lowered his book and looked at me. His expression was unreadable. "I can’t. She’s already mated. You think I’d tear apart a bond over some feelings?"

His words landed harder than I expected. I felt a small pang in my chest. Could he be talking about me? After all, I was bonded and married. But then again, that thought felt a little egotistical. Was I really that significant to him?

"Who is she? Do I know her?" I asked, trying to mask my discomfort with a light laugh.

"No, you don’t," he replied calmly.

I exhaled, relieved but still curious. "What’s she like? What’s your type?"

"She..." For the first time, his stern face softened into a rare, gentle smile. "She’s innocent, a little naïve, and so unguarded. Beautiful in the truest sense."

I frowned inwardly. That didn’t sound like any mated woman I knew. It sounded more like someone untouched by the harder parts of this life.

Before I could speak, his gaze darkened and his voice dropped lower. "She’s so perfect, I just want to keep her to myself. Keep her hidden away where no one else can see her."

A knot twisted in my stomach. I kept my voice steady. "Sergio, you do realize that’s not only a little unhinged it’s illegal, right? Kidnapping? Let’s not go there." I straightened, my tone firmer now. "And even if she’s perfect, she’s already bonded to someone else. If you really care about someone, it’s not about possessing them. It’s about letting them be happy, even if it’s not with you."

Before he could respond, I took out my phone and called Lewis. "Hey, babe, I’m almost done here. Can you come pick me up?"

I saw the flicker of disappointment cross Sergio’s face, but I quickly shifted the tone. "Thanks for everything this week," I said with a smile.

"Elena, do you really have to be so formal with me?" he asked, his voice softer now.

"It’s not about formality," I said. "I really do appreciate everything you’ve done. Starling seems more at ease with you now. I won’t need to come along anymore just take care of her for me, okay?"

Half an hour later, Lewis arrived right on time. He stepped out of the car with his usual easy confidence, that quiet authority moving ahead of him like a current. I rushed over and wrapped my arms around his waist, tucking myself against his chest. "Carl, you’re here! Let me introduce you." I turned toward Sergio. "This is Dr. Zimmer."

Lewis put his arm around me and extended his hand. "Dr. Zimmer, nice to meet you."