Chapter 12 : Sandalwood and Suspicion Chapter 12 : Sandalwood and Suspicion ( Rebecca's POV ) I clutched my stomach dramatically , fingers digging into Ethan's leather jacket . The look on his face when he saw Samantha standing there had been priceless . Everything was falling into place . " Ethan , please , " I whimpered , making my voice tremble . " I'm feeling sharp pains . The baby- " His eyes snapped to mine , cold and calculating . Gone was the panic from moments ago , replaced by something dangerous . I'd seen that look before - when he fired employees who crossed him . " Let go of my jacket , Rebecca . " His voice was quiet but carried a command I couldn't ignore . My fingers uncurled against my will , releasing the expensive leather . " But the baby- " I tried again . " I'll have Dr. Miller check on you tomorrow . " He didn't even look back as he sprinted across the sand toward Samantha . I watched him go , a smile spreading across my face once he was far enough away . The ceremonial fires he'd arranged for Samantha still burned along the shoreline , casting golden light across Golden Sands Cove . Perfect backdrop for a selfie . I pulled out my phone , positioning myself with the flames visible behind me . With the Blackwood heir growing inside me , it was only a matter of time before Ethan realized my value extended beyond being a mere surrogate . ( Ethan's POV) " Samantha ! " I shouted , my voice carrying across the beach . " Sam , wait ! " Her car was already pulling away from the parking area . I caught a glimpse of her face in the rearview mirror - pale , composed , but her eyes told a different story . They were filled with a pain that cut me deeper than any silver blade could . 1 ran faster , desperation fueling each step . My usual controlled demeanor had completely shattered . This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go . The ceremonial fires , the roses - everything had been arranged for Samantha , not Rebecca . My car was parked too far away . By the time I reached it , Samantha would be long gone . Still , I sprinted toward the parking lot , gravel crunching under my boots . As I watched her taillights disappear around the bend , a realization hit me . If I had truly intended to make Rebecca my partner , why would I have Martha inform Samantha to come to the cove ? The setup was too obvious , too sloppy . This wasn't my doing . I pulled out my phone and dialed James . " Find out who arranged for Rebecca to be at Golden Sands Cove tonight . And locate my sister . Now . " ( Samantha's POV ) I parked at Crescent Bay Shoreline , hands still trembling on the steering wheel . From this vantage point , I could see the ceremonial fires Ethan had arranged at Golden Sands Cove in the distance - beautiful , flickering points of light against the darkness . Each flare reminded me of what we once had . The passion , the trust , the bond that seemed unbreakable . < Chapter 12 : Sandalwood and Now it was all ashes . The pain wasn't from seeing Ethan with Rebecca . That shallow scheme was transparent . Martha would never have told me to come if Ethan had been planning a romantic evening with another woman . No , the real betrayal was deeper . Olivia Blackwood - whom I had treated like a sister - had conspired with Rebecca against me . This meant the Blackwood family had known about Rebecca's pregnancy all along , accepting the woman who was destroying my marriage . I watched the last ceremonial fire fade into embers , taking with it the final remnants of my hope for reconciliation . " Are you mesmerized by the display , Healer Reed ? " I startled at the familiar voice behind me . Turning , I found Hector Grayson standing a few feet away , his tall figure silhouetted against the night sky . He looked different from his usual formal business attire . Tonight , he wore a black turtleneck sweater under a long black cashmere coat . The casual elegance suited him . Hector extended a monogrammed handkerchief toward me . " You might want this . " Only then did I realize tears were streaming down my face . Embarrassed , I accepted the handkerchief , the subtle sandalwood scent calming my frayed nerves . " I'm sorry you had to witness this ," I said , quickly wiping away the evidence of my weakness . " No need for apologies , " he replied , his voice gentle despite his reputation as a ruthless businessman . Hector settled beside me on the shoreline rocks , a respectful distance between us . He held out a steaming cup . " Moonlight Espresso from the airport . Your favorite , if I recall correctly . " I accepted the coffee with surprise . " You remembered . " " Hard to forget when you nearly tackled the barista at Hong Harbor three years ago when they ran out . " A small smile tugged at my lips . During our medical missions , coffee had been my lifeline through exhausting days of treating patients . Ethan had forbidden me from drinking it during our attempts to conceive , claiming it might affect my fertility . The familiar taste brought back a bittersweet feeling of small freedoms lost . " Is your distress because of Ethan ? " Hector asked , his perceptive eyes studying my face . " Just problems at home ," I replied vaguely . " I remember how happy you seemed with your husband when we worked together , " he observed . " You spoke of him often . " I looked up at the night sky , stars blinking indifferently at human suffering below . " Things change . " " Do you regret it ? " he asked . " Retiring from your medical practice ? The choices that led you here ? " I considered his question , warming my hands around the coffee cup . " I don't regret retiring . And I certainly don't regret my impending divorce . " The words felt liberating to say aloud . " I've spent days drowning in pain . It's time to move forward . " I stood to leave , brushing sand from my clothes . A strand of hair fell across my lips , and before I could reach for it , Hector's fingers gently brushed it away . The unexpected touch surprised me . His expression remained impassive , as if the gesture meant nothing - merely an act 2/3 समाधा < Chapter 12 Sandalwood and of kindness with no deeper intention . I dismissed it as such , well aware of his reputation for proper conduct . " It's getting late . I should go . " " Before you do , " Hector said , " don't forget you promised to treat me to a meal at The Silver Fang Restaurant . Their venison is exceptional . " " Tomorrow ? " I suggested , suddenly not wanting to be alone with my thoughts . " Perfect . I'll send a car for you at seven . " As I drove away from Crescent Bay Shoreline , I noticed headlights in my rearview mirror . Hector's Shadow Hunter SUV followed at a discreet distance , escorting me toward home . I texted him quickly : " I know my way back , but thank you for the concern . " His reply came immediately : " Rest and recover your strength . You'll need it . " His attentiveness was surprising but not unwelcome after the evening's emotional turmoil . For the first time in days , I didn't feel completely alone . I entered Blackwood Manor quietly , hoping to slip upstairs unnoticed . My plan failed instantly . Ethan stood in the entrance hall , his tall figure rigid with tension . His hair was disheveled , as if he'd been running his hands through it repeatedly - a habit when he was anxious . " Sam ," he began , relief evident in his voice . " Thank the moon you're safe . About tonight - Rebecca showed up unexpectedly . I was waiting for you . The roses , the fires - they were all for you . " I remained silent , letting him speak . His explanation matched my suspicions about the setup being too obvious . Mid - sentence , he stopped . His nostrils flared slightly , and his eyes locked onto Hector's handkerchief still clutched in my hand . The shift in his demeanor was immediate and frightening . Relief transformed into cold fury as territorial instincts flared . His amber eyes darkened , pupils dilating . " Who were you with ? " he demanded , stepping closer , inhaling deeply to capture more of the rival businessman's scent .