Chapter 4 — The Dinner Trap
The pregnancy dinner was held on Saturday night.
Margaret invited family friends, board members, and several wealthy donors connected to Hale Aerospace.
Claire refused to attend.
Vanessa arrived in a pale blue gown designed to emphasize her supposed pregnancy.
She moved carefully, accepting congratulations and resting one hand beneath the curve of her belly.
Ethan watched every step.
He noticed that Vanessa never sat without first adjusting her dress.
He noticed that she avoided the fireplace.
He also noticed a thin strap near her shoulder when the gown shifted.
Nathan stood beside her, looking uncomfortable.
He had agreed to the dinner only after Vanessa promised to let him attend her next appointment.
During dessert, Margaret raised a champagne glass.
“To the newest member of the Hale family.”
The guests applauded.
Vanessa smiled through carefully prepared tears.
Ethan stood.
“I have a gift.”
Margaret looked surprised.
Vanessa’s smile stiffened.
Ethan placed a long white box on the table.
Inside was a maternity support belt.
“I read that pregnancy can cause back pain,” Ethan said.
Vanessa stared at the belt.
“How thoughtful.”
“You should try it.”
“Not now.”
“It goes under your dress. I thought maybe you could tell us if it fits.”
A few guests laughed lightly, believing Ethan was joking.
Vanessa did not.
“I’m feeling tired,” she said.
She pushed back her chair.
As she stood, Ethan deliberately dropped his fork.
He bent beneath the table.
From that angle, he saw the edge of a beige form beneath Vanessa’s gown.
A black elastic strap crossed behind it.
His suspicion became certainty.
Vanessa stepped away.
The side of her dress caught on a decorative metal corner of the chair.
There was a quiet tearing sound.
Vanessa froze.
A small silver pin fell onto the carpet.
Then another.
The room became silent.
The lower side of Vanessa’s gown shifted.
For one horrifying second, the smooth curve beneath the fabric moved sideways.
Not like a baby.
Like an object.
Vanessa grabbed the dress with both hands.
“I need the restroom.”
Ethan moved in front of her.
“What fell out?”
“Move.”
Nathan stepped forward.
“Vanessa?”
Her expression changed from fear to anger.
“She tried to humiliate me.”
“Who?”
“Claire. She sent him to do this.”
Ethan pointed toward the carpet.
“That pin is attached to silicone.”
Margaret stood abruptly.
“This is ridiculous.”
Nathan picked up the fallen pin.
A beige strip clung to the metal tip.
His face drained of color.
“Vanessa,” he said slowly. “What is this?”
She began crying.
“It’s a support pad. My doctor recommended it.”
“For what?”
“My abdominal muscles are weak.”
“Show me.”
Vanessa stepped backward.
“You don’t trust me?”
“Show me what is under the dress.”
Several guests looked away.
Nathan immediately realized how his demand sounded.
He lowered his voice.
“You can go upstairs with my mother. She can confirm.”
Margaret hesitated.
Vanessa turned toward her.
“Please. Tell them I would never lie.”
Margaret looked at the pin.
Then at Vanessa’s strangely displaced stomach.
For the first time, doubt entered her face.
“Come with me,” Margaret said.
They reached the staircase.
Vanessa suddenly grabbed the railing.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh, my God.”
She gasped and bent forward.
“My baby.”
Nathan rushed toward her.
Vanessa collapsed onto the carpet, holding her stomach and screaming.
“Call an ambulance!”
The room exploded into panic.
Guests rushed forward.
Nathan knelt beside her.
Ethan remained standing.
He saw Vanessa’s fingers reach beneath her dress.
He saw her squeeze a small plastic packet.
A dark red liquid spread across the fabric.
The guests gasped.
Margaret screamed.
But Ethan understood immediately.
May you like
The collapse was another performance.
And Vanessa was about to use fake blood to turn suspicion into sympathy.
