Chapter 2
Dylan
I, Dylan Kane, never break my word.
Especially when dealing with that presumptuous doctor who doesn't know her place.
After leaving the hospital, I went straight to Kane Technologies headquarters and entered the conference room specifically reserved for "problems." Within ten minutes, I had assembled the city's most elite legal team.
"Gentlemen," I sat at the head of the long table, my voice sharp as ice, "I need you to resolve an issue within 24 hours."
Lead attorney Richardson adjusted his glasses. "Mr. Kane, please proceed."
"A woman has used my genetic material without authorization and is now pregnant. I want her to voluntarily terminate the pregnancy."
The conference room fell instantly silent. These seasoned lawyers, who had seen it all, exchanged uneasy glances.
"Sir," Richardson said cautiously, "when it comes to reproductive rights..."
"I don't care about rights!" I slammed my fist on the table. "I want results! Do what you do best—apply pressure!"
Three hours later, I sat in my office, coldly watching as the lawyers took turns calling that female doctor. I deliberately had them put the calls on speaker—I wanted to hear Chloe Reed's voice when she finally surrendered.
The first call was made by senior partner Thomson.
"Dr. Reed? This is Thomson from Thomson Law representing Mr. Kane..."
A tired voice came through the speaker: "You people again! I've already said a hundred times—"
"Doctor, I strongly advise you to reconsider our client's proposal. From a legal standpoint, your actions constitute an infringement on our client's reproductive rights..."
"Back off! I'm not changing my mind!"
Bang! The phone was angrily disconnected.
I frowned. This woman's voice... why did it sound so captivating? Even in anger, it had an inexplicable magnetism.
"Continue!" I ordered coldly.
Second call, third call, fourth call...
Each time, Chloe rejected the offer more vehemently. But strangely, I found myself focusing on the sound of her voice rather than what she was saying.
"Damn it!" I shook my head, trying to banish this absurd thought.
By afternoon, I decided to take matters into my own hands.
St. Mary's Medical Center
I arrived for a "surprise inspection" in my capacity as a "hospital board member." In reality, I just wanted to see what this woman was like at work.
After following the head nurse through various wards, I finally found her in oncology.
I stopped at the doorway, secretly observing through the glass window.
Chloe was caring for an elderly terminal cancer patient, her movements surprisingly gentle. She adjusted the patient's pillow, checked the IV line, and spoke softly with the elderly man.
"How are you feeling today?" Her voice was tender.
"Dr. Reed, thank you... I'm just an old-timer taking up your valuable time."
"Don't say that. Helping you recover is both my duty and my privilege."
I saw the genuine care in her eyes, and my heart skipped a beat unexpectedly.
She... was completely different from what I'd imagined.
As I stood there lost in thought, Chloe suddenly turned and noticed me at the door. Her face instantly hardened.
She quickly exited the room and confronted me in the hallway.
"Mr. Kane, what are you doing here?" She kept her voice low, but her anger was evident.
I resumed my cold demeanor. "As a major shareholder in this hospital, I have every right to inspect the quality of work in each department."
"Your work ethic is commendable," I said deliberately coldly, "but that changes nothing!"
"Mr. Kane," fire burned in her eyes, "please don't interfere with my work! This is a hospital, not your corporate battlefield!"
I stared into her eyes, seeing a determination I'd rarely encountered. Most people cower in my presence, but not her.
"We're not finished, Dr. Reed," I said icily.
I followed her to the maternity ward.
The place was filled with the heartwarming sounds of newborn cries, young mothers holding their babies with radiant joy on their faces.
I watched Chloe approach a group of pregnant women who were chatting together.
"Dr. Chloe!" A woman with a prominent baby bump waved excitedly. "Come join us!"
"How are you all feeling today?" Chloe sat down, gently touching one woman's belly.
"Much better! Dr. Reed, when are you going to have a little one of your own?"
I saw a tender smile spread across Chloe's face as she lightly touched her still-flat stomach: "Actually... I think I'll make a good mom too."
In that moment, something struck my heart like a physical blow.
Her expression when she spoke was so gentle, so... maternal.
No! I shook my head forcefully. I couldn't let her deceive me!
I strode into the maternity ward, startling the other pregnant women.
"Stop acting like Mother Teresa!" I said coldly. "You just want my money!"
Chloe immediately stood up, the tenderness in her eyes instantly replaced by fury: "All I want is my child, not your damn money!"
"Really?" I sneered. "Then why not accept my offer?"
"Because your offer requires me to kill my baby!" Her voice began to tremble. "Dylan Kane, what gives you the right to demand that of me?"
The pregnant women around us were staring, but Chloe didn't care. She stood there like a mother protecting her young, her eyes burning with unshakeable resolve.
I realized, to my surprise, that I was actually moved by her courage.
As evening approached, I wandered aimlessly through the hospital, trying to sort through my confused thoughts.
Suddenly, I passed the ultrasound room and noticed a soft blue light inside.
Through the glass window, I saw Chloe lying on the examination table as a doctor performed her prenatal checkup.
On the ultrasound screen, a tiny image flickered.
That was... my child.
My mind went completely blank.
That small, blurry image was my bloodline. I could see its heart beating, see it growing quietly in Chloe's womb.
"Is that really... my child?" I asked myself repeatedly.
For thirty years, I'd convinced myself I didn't need children or a family. But seeing that tiny life, an emotion I'd never experienced before crashed violently against my chest.
As I stared transfixed at the screen, Chloe turned her head toward the window, and our eyes met.
Her gaze was complex—wary, angry, but also containing something I couldn't quite read.
I hastily turned and left, my heart pounding as if it might explode.
In the hallway, I leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. I, Dylan Kane, the man never affected by anything, was now completely rattled by an unborn child.
I pulled out my phone, ready to message my legal team to increase the pressure on Chloe.
But my fingers hovered over the screen, unable to press send.
My mind kept replaying images of her tenderly caring for patients, her determined stance protecting the baby, and the heartbeat of that tiny life on the ultrasound screen.
Damn it, what am I thinking?
I clenched my fist, forcing myself to regain my composure.
I would resolve this problem, definitely.
But why... was there this strange feeling in my heart?