The CEO's Regret: You made me your lie, I become your Loss-Chapter 113: The Hook is Set

Julian walked in a moment later, pausing at the sight of the sisters clinging to each other. He didn’t move to join them. He stayed by the door, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowed as he studied Amira’s apology.

"I’m glad you two are talking," Julian said, his voice smooth but lacking its usual warmth. "The house is much quieter without the shouting."

"I’m sorry to you too, Julian," Amira said, wiping her eyes and giving him a soft, repentant smile. "I know you’re only here because you love her. I’ve been acting like you were an invader, but you’re the only reason she’s still standing. Thank you for taking care of her."

The tension in the house seemed to evaporate. For the first time in a week, they had dinner together without an argument. Amira was the perfect sister, attentive, grieving, and supportive. She even asked Amara for advice on a small project she wanted to start in memory of their mother, a way to show she was moving forward.

As they said goodnight, Amira squeezed Amara’s hand one last time. "We’re going to be okay, right? Just the two of us against the world?"

"Always," Amara promised, her heart finally feeling a little less heavy.

But as Amira walked back to her room, she felt the embossed card Sebastian had given her pressing against her thigh from her pocket. The guilt was there, but the fear of being nothing without the Pedro fortune was louder.

—

The following morning, the atmosphere in the Pedro mansion was the lightest it had been in weeks. The sisters sat on the sun-drenched veranda, the steam from their hibiscus tea curling into the warm air.

Amira was being a perfect confidante, listening, nodding, and reaching out to squeeze Amara’s hand at just the right moments.

"I’m just worried about the future, Amira," Amara confessed, her voice dropping to a vulnerable whisper. "With the company in turmoil and Mother gone... I feel like I need something to hold onto. Something that’s just ours, Julian’s and mine."

Amira tilted her head, her expression soft. "Are you okay, truly? You’ve been through so much."

Amara took a shaky breath, the gold anklet Julian had given her catching the morning light. "I’m trying to have a baby. I know the stress has made it hard, and the specialists said it wouldn’t be easy, but they said it’s not impossible. I can conceive. I just... I want this so badly. I know how happy it would make Julian to have a family of his own."

For a split second, Amira’s hand stiffened. She thought of Sebastian’s words to bring Amara to the address he had given her. The pieces of the trap were clicking into place with terrifying precision.

"That’s beautiful, Amara," Amira said, forcing a bright, supportive smile. "Actually, I heard about a specialist through one of Leo’s high-end clients. A doctor who works out of a very private, exclusive clinic. He’s supposed to be a miracle worker for difficult cases. Maybe you should see him? It could be the help you need."

Amara looked up, a flicker of genuine hope lighting up her eyes for the first time in days. "A miracle worker? Do you think he could see me soon? I don’t want to tell Julian, yet I want to surprise him if it actually works."

"I can arrange it," Amira promised, her heart hammering against her ribs as she felt the weight of the card in her pocket. "It’s very discreet. We can go together, just the two of us. A sister’s trip."

From the doorway, Julian watched them. He saw the sisters laughing, saw Amara looking more hopeful than she had since the funeral. He wanted to believe it. He wanted to believe that the Pedro family was finally healing.

But as Amira stood up to "make the call," she caught Julian’s eye. She didn’t flinch this time; she gave him a polite, sisterly nod and disappeared into the house.

Julian walked out to the veranda and kissed the top of Amara’s head. "You look better today," he murmured.

"I feel better," Amara lied softly, leaning back into him. "Amira is really trying, Julian. I think we’re going to be okay." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

While Amara felt a sense of peace, Amira was in the hallway, her fingers trembling as she dialed Sebastian’s number.

"I can bring her to the address tomorrow," Amira whispered into the phone the moment the line picked up. "She wants to see a doctor about... about conceiving. I told her I found a specialist."

On the other end of the line, Sebastian stood in his glass office, looking at the skyline. A slow, dark satisfaction spread across his face. "Perfect. Bring her to the address tomorrow at two. I’ll ensure the ’doctor’ is ready to see her."

"Now tell me, Sebastian... what do you want to do to Amara?"

Amira’s voice was low, almost swallowed by the silence of the room as she paced slowly, the phone pressed tight against her ear.

"Listen," she added quickly, her tone tightening, as if she needed to make this part clear even to herself. "I may want the property, but I don’t want her hurt. She’s still my sister... and she’s..." she hesitated, her throat tightening for just a second, "...she’s naturally good."

There was a pause on the other end. Too quiet. Too controlled. Then his voice came smooth, measured. "I just want to harvest an egg of hers."

Amira stopped walking. Her brows drew together, confusion flickering across her face.

"That’s all," Sebastian continued, as if he were discussing something routine, something harmless. "Just one."

Silence stretched. "I’ll find a surrogate," he went on calmly. "She’ll carry my child. Amara will never know. I won’t appear before her again after that."

Amira’s grip on the phone tightened. Her pulse quickened not from fear exactly... but from the weight of what he was asking.

"You know how much I’ve always wanted an heir," he added, quieter now. "Believe me... she’ll go back home with you untouched." Untouched.

The word echoed in her mind. As if that erased everything else. Amira closed her eyes briefly. This isn’t harmful. That’s what she told herself. It’s not like he’s hurting her. It’s just... taking something she won’t even miss.

Her lips parted slightly. "Okay," she said. The word came out softer than she expected. But it was enough. The line went dead.