Collide Into Ruin

Chapter 82: Fragile Things

He hadn't just moved on. He had built a life with Emilia—a life Zoey believed belonged to her. He should known she was dangerous. Had he done enough to protect them? The weight in his chest thickened.

He reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the secret he hadn't told a soul—the baby.

A child they had dreamed about. A child they had wanted—just not like this. Not in the middle of a war. This was supposed to be the beginning of something beautiful, something safe. Emilia had always talked about wanting a big family, and Henry had let himself imagine it too—the late nights, the first steps, the life they would build together. Their life.

But now, that future felt fragile, like it could be stolen before it even had a chance to exist.

If Zoey ever found out—

No. He couldn't let that happen.

For the first time since stepping out of that hospital room, he hesitated. Should he tell his parents? Would knowing make Emilia safer?

Linda's soft voice pulled him back. "Henry... what aren't you telling us?"

Before Henry could answer Linda's question, a nurse approached hesitantly, a small package in her hands. "Mr. Kingsley?"

His entire body tensed. "Yes?"

"This was left at the nurses' station for you." She shifted uncomfortably. "No return name. Just... this."

Henry took the small box, his fingers tightening around the edges. It was light—too light. A slow, creeping dread curled around his spine.

He ripped the tape off and opened it.

Inside, cradled in crisp white tissue paper, was a single pacifier.

New. Pristine. Innocent.

But beside it lay something that made his blood freeze—a hospital bracelet.

Familiar. Worn. From years ago.

Zoey's.

A neatly folded note sat at the bottom.

"Babies are fragile things, Henry. But you already knew that. See you soon."

His stomach twisted. The walls of the hospital seemed to press in.

She knew.

Not just about Emilia. About the baby.

And if Zoey was sending this, she wanted him to remember something else, too.

She was never pregnant.

It had been a lie. Just like everything else with her. A manipulation, a weapon designed to chain him to her forever.

And now, she had found a new way to sink her claws in.

Henry inhaled sharply, masking the pure terror twisting inside him. He turned to the nurse, his voice controlled but urgent. "Who delivered this?"

She shook her head. "We don't know. It was just... there."

Henry closed the box, gripping it so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Zoey wasn't just taunting him. She was ahead of them.

She had a plan.

Henry turned back to his family. Their faces reflected varying degrees of shock, horror, and something else, rage.

"We don't have time," Henry muttered, his voice dark. "She already knows."

Beau stood, his expression now pure steel. "Then we end this. Now."

Henry made his choice.

He exhaled, his chest tightening as he met his parents' eyes. He had kept this secret for a reason—but after tonight, after Zoey's call, he couldn't keep it to himself any longer.

His voice came out low, steady. "Emilia's pregnant."

Linda sucked in a sharp breath, her hands flying to her mouth.

Beau went rigid. He opened his mouth—then shut it. Then: "Holy shit."

Elias—his father, always composed, always ready for battle—only narrowed his gaze. "How far along?"

"Not even a month," Henry admitted. "It's early. Too early for stress, for fear—for any of this. But after tonight, I don't have the luxury of waiting to tell you."

Linda pressed a trembling hand to her chest. "My God... Henry." Her voice broke slightly. "Is she okay? The baby?"

"She's stable. But stress could make things worse, and if Zoey ever finds out..." His throat tightened. "I can't let that happen."

Elias spoke, his voice firm. "She won't."

Beau blew out a sharp breath, dragging a hand down his face. "This changes everything." He met Henry's eyes, steady and serious. "We lock this down. No one outside this room finds out."

Elias nodded. "We move now. Security around Emilia is priority number one. And we go after Zoey before she even realizes we know she's coming."

Linda hesitated before stepping closer to Henry. "Does Emilia know you're telling us?"

Henry hesitated. No.

Linda's voice softened. "She should hear it from you. Before anyone else does."

His phone vibrated in his palm—Cayden.

Cayden: I'm here. Room secured.

Henry exhaled, his gaze drifting toward the closed hospital door.

Zoey wanted a war.

She just got one.