Page 56 of Sinful Obsession

I had to play along, buy time until Ethan’s plan materialized.

Steeling myself, I stepped out and made my way to the living room, where soft lamplight illuminated a middle-aged man in a crisp white coat, seated on the leather sofa with a medical bag at his feet.

“Dr. Harlan,” Cassian said curtly, gesturing between us. “This is Charlotte. Charlotte, Dr. Harlan—he’s been with the family for years.”

The doctor rose, offering a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss Charlotte. Mr. Cassian mentioned some concerns. How have you been feeling lately? Any headaches, fatigue, nausea?”

I perched on the edge of an armchair, forcing a casual shrug. “I’m fine, really. No issues.”

Cassian interjected from his spot by the window, arms crossed. “She’s been retching—saw it on the cameras. Acting dizzy, unsteady. Don’t deny it, Charlotte.”

“I’m not denying anything because it’s not true,” I snapped, meeting his gaze defiantly. “Maybe you’re seeing things.”

Dr. Harlan cleared his throat, pulling out a blood pressure cuff. “Let’s check a few basics. Roll up your sleeve, please.”

I complied reluctantly, the cuff tightening around my arm like a noose.

The pump hissed, pressure building, and I held my breath, suspense coiling in my gut.

What if it revealed something?

The bracelet hummed faintly, syncing with my elevated pulse. After a moment, the doctor nodded. “Blood pressure is 118 over 76—perfectly normal.”

Relief washed over me, easing the knot in my chest.

Next, he placed a thermometer under my tongue, the cool metal a stark contrast to my flushed skin.

The wait dragged, seconds ticking by as I avoided Cassian’s piercing stare. Beep. “Temperature’s 98.6—normal,” Dr. Harlan announced.

One more check: he shone a light into my eyes, asking me to follow his finger. My heart raced again, suspense thickening the air—would this expose the dizziness I’d hidden? But he lowered the light. “Pupil response is fine. No signs of neurological issues.”

“Nonetheless,” the doctor said, reaching for a syringe, “I’ll draw some blood for a full panel, just to be thorough. Mr. Cassian’s worried.”

“Good,” Cassian agreed, his tone brooking no argument.

I shot to my feet, backing away. “Hell no. I’m not doing any blood test.”

Cassian’s eyes narrowed, suspicion etching deep lines on his face. “If you’re not hiding anything, what’s the problem? It’s just blood.”

I crossed my arms, defiance surging despite the storm raging inside me.

The last thing I needed was confirmation of the pregnancy before I could escape.

If he learned about the baby now, about it not being his... it would shatter any fragile trust, turning his “protection” into a cage I’d never leave. “I said no. I’m fine—your doctor just confirmed it.”

The doctor glanced between us, confusion furrowing his brow. He packed his bag awkwardly, murmuring, “If the patient refuses...”

Cassian waved him off with a frustrated sigh. “Go. I’ll handle it.”

Once the door clicked shut behind Dr. Harlan, Cassian turned to me, his voice a low command. “Sit.”

I sank back into the chair, forcing calm into my posture even as adrenaline surged through me, a tempest of fear.

“I’ve ordered my men at the gate to let you leave freely,” he said, surprising me.

My eyes widened. “Why the sudden change?”

He leaned against the mantel, his expression unreadable. “I have a better way to keep you protected now.” He nodded at the bracelet. “Being trapped here until your enemies are dealt with... it’s taking a toll on you. I see it. So go—anywhere you want. But I’ll be watching.”