Chapter 7: A Dangerous Scheme

Three days remained before John's surgery.

Although the operation had finally been scheduled, Shannon couldn't relax.

She stayed at the hospital day and night, refusing to leave her son's side.

Every smile John gave her reminded her why she had endured years of humiliation.

"Mom," John whispered one evening.

"Will you still be here when I wake up after the surgery?"

Shannon gently kissed his forehead.

"Always."

"I'll be the first person you see."

John smiled before slowly drifting back to sleep.

Outside the room, Sean waited quietly.

He had begun visiting every day.

Sometimes he brought books.

Sometimes toys.

Sometimes he simply sat outside without disturbing them.

He knew he had no right to force himself into John's life.

Trust had to be earned.

Not demanded.

"Mr. Ford," Dr. Harris greeted him.

"Can we speak privately?"

Sean followed the doctor into his office.

"John's surgery is complicated, but we're optimistic."

"However, reducing emotional stress is extremely important."

"We'll do everything possible," Sean replied.

"Good."

"And one more thing..."

"Mrs. Ford hasn't been sleeping properly."

"If she continues like this, she'll collapse before the operation even begins."

Sean looked through the office window toward Shannon.

She was gently reading a storybook to John despite the exhaustion visible on her face.

"I'll take care of it," he said quietly.

Meanwhile, Shelby sat inside her apartment replaying the recording she had secretly made outside the hospital room.

Every word fueled her anger.

"Sean chose her..." she muttered.

"After everything I did."

She refused to accept defeat.

An idea slowly formed in her mind.

If Shannon disappeared...

Everything could return to the way it was.

The following afternoon, Shannon received a phone call.

"Mrs. Ford?"

"This is the Children's Medical Foundation."

"We've discovered an issue with John's paperwork."

"Could you come to our downtown office immediately?"

Without suspecting anything, Shannon hurried there.

When she arrived, however, the receptionist looked confused.

"Medical Foundation?"

"We haven't contacted you today."

A chill ran through Shannon's body.

"Then... who called me?"

She immediately checked her phone.

The number had already been disconnected.

At that exact moment, Sean arrived at the hospital carrying dinner for Shannon.

"Where's Mrs. Ford?" he asked the nurse.

"She left about thirty minutes ago after receiving an urgent phone call."

"She hasn't returned yet."

Something felt wrong.

Sean immediately called Shannon.

No answer.

Again.

Still nothing.

"Track this number," he ordered his assistant over the phone.

"Now."

Across town, Shannon walked through a nearly empty parking garage after leaving the foundation building.

"Strange..." she whispered.

"Who would make a fake call?"

Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind her.

She turned.

Two unfamiliar men slowly approached.

"Mrs. Ford?"

"Who are you?"

"Someone wants to speak with you."

"I'm not interested."

She turned to leave.

One of the men stepped directly into her path.

"You'll come anyway."

Fear immediately spread through her body.

"Stay back!"

She reached for her phone.

One man lunged forward, knocking it onto the concrete floor.

"Help!" Shannon shouted.

Before either man could reach her, the sharp sound of screeching tires echoed through the garage.

A black luxury sedan stopped only a few feet away.

Sean jumped out before the vehicle had fully stopped.

"Get away from her!"

The two men exchanged nervous glances.

"Run!"

They disappeared between the parked cars before security guards rushed into the garage.

Sean immediately turned toward Shannon.

"Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, still trembling.

"I... I don't think so."

"Come with me."

He wrapped his coat around her shoulders and guided her toward the car.

For several minutes, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Shannon broke the silence.

"How did you find me?"

"You weren't answering your phone."

"Something didn't feel right."

"So you came looking."

"Yes."

She looked out the window quietly.

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me anymore."

"Protecting you and John is my responsibility."

"It should've always been."

His voice carried genuine regret.

Back at the hospital, police officers took Shannon's statement.

"Did you recognize either man?"

"No."

"Do you have any idea who might want to frighten you?"

Shannon hesitated.

"No..."

But another face immediately appeared in her mind.

Shelby.

She said nothing.

Without evidence, accusations meant nothing.

Later that evening, Sean met privately with the lead detective.

"I want twenty-four-hour protection around the hospital."

"Especially around Room 305."

"Understood, Mr. Ford."

"We'll also review the surveillance footage."

An hour later, Sean's personal investigator entered his office carrying a tablet.

"Sir... we identified the number that called Mrs. Ford."

"Who was it?"

"It was purchased using a fake identity."

"But surveillance cameras captured the buyer."

"Show me."

The investigator pressed play.

Sean's expression darkened instantly.

The woman on the screen was unmistakable.

Shelby.

"It was her..." Sean whispered.

"She planned everything."

The investigator nodded.

"There's more."

"The two men who approached Mrs. Ford have prior records for intimidation and assault."

"Both recently received large cash transfers."

"From whom?"

The investigator handed Sean another document.

"The payments originated from an account connected to Shelby Sue."

Sean slowly closed the file.

The disappointment in his eyes was replaced by cold determination.

"Enough."

"This ends tonight."

Unaware that Sean had uncovered the truth, Shelby packed a suitcase inside her apartment.

She smiled confidently.

"By tomorrow..." she whispered.

"Shannon Gray will be out of the picture forever."

She never noticed the black SUVs quietly pulling up outside her building.