Chapter 247 The Rotting Secret

Chapter 247: Chapter 247 The Rotting Secret

Reactive (+)

The result sat beside a small red plus sign.

Serena snatched up the report and pressed it to her chest. The color drained from her face, and her fingers began to shake.

Ethan flinched. "What happened? Is something wrong?"

"No." She answered too quickly, then forced herself to take a breath. "My stomach cramped again."

"Should I call the nurse?"

"I’m fine." Serena folded the report and placed it in her lap. "My parents are on their way. Could you give me some privacy? The doctor may need to discuss a private prenatal matter with me."

Ethan hesitated, but her explanation sounded reasonable.

"Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

He stepped out and pulled the door almost shut behind him.

Before she could think any further, the emergency physician entered with a tablet. He closed the door and pulled the privacy curtain across the room.

"Serena, your remaining prenatal screens are back," he said. "I’d like to go over one of them with you."

Serena pushed herself higher against the pillows. Her face was white.

"This is about the syphilis screen, isn’t it?" Her voice cracked. "Does that mean I have it?"

"Not necessarily," the doctor said calmly. "A screening test can be falsely reactive, or it can stay reactive after an old infection. We’ve ordered a quantitative RPR and a treponemal confirmatory test. The lab is processing both as urgent."

"I want them done as fast as possible," Serena said. "I don’t care what it costs."

"They’re already marked urgent. If both tests are reactive, the OB team will review your history and recommend treatment."

Serena clutched the blanket. "What about the baby?"

"Untreated syphilis can affect a pregnancy. If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment during pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk. Penicillin is the standard treatment."

After the doctor left, Serena sat motionless beneath the harsh hospital lights.

She usually took precautions. Except that night with Ryan.

She had no proof that he was the source. The infection could have happened weeks ago, even months ago. But once the thought entered her mind, she could not force it out.

A few hours later, her phone buzzed.

The quantitative RPR result had appeared in her patient portal.

Reactive.

Her hands trembled as she opened the report.

Before she could read the titer, the door opened again. The doctor returned.

"The confirmatory treponemal test is back," he said. "It’s reactive as well."

Serena stared at him. "So I’m infected?"

"Together, these results are consistent with syphilis," the doctor said. "We still need to review your medical history and determine the stage. Since there is no record of previous treatment, the OB team recommends starting penicillin as soon as possible."

The blood drained from Serena’s face.

The doctor kept talking, but his voice faded beneath the buzzing in her ears.

Syphilis.

She tore the printed report in half.

How could she have a disease like this? If anyone found out, they would look at her with disgust. They would whisper, mock her, and treat her like she was dirty.

That was the one thing Serena could not bear.

After explaining the treatment plan and arranging outpatient care, the doctors gave Serena her first dose of penicillin and discharged her with instructions to see her OB team for continued monitoring.

The moment she stepped outside, cold air brushed her face.

She pulled out her phone and called Ryan.

He answered after the second ring.

"Serena?"

"You gave me syphilis," she said, skipping hello. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

Ryan sounded surprised. "You tested positive?"

"Why didn’t you warn me?"

"What’s the big deal?" His voice held no concern. "It’s treatable. It’s not HIV."

Serena clenched her phone. "Where are you?"

"Why?"

"I asked where you are."

Ryan had wanted Eira for his new research project. When Eira refused, he settled for Serena, partly because Dr. Winthrop had asked him to help her. Her talent mattered less to him than her grandfather’s influence.

He could not afford to burn that bridge.

"I’ll text you the address."He said.

Serena drove there without going home. She let her hair fall loose, put on a mask and dark sunglasses, and wrapped herself in a long coat. She did not want anyone to recognize her.

The private room smelled of whiskey, expensive cologne, and smoke drifting in from the patio.

Ryan was sprawled across a leather sofa with three women beside him. A half-empty bottle sat on the low table, surrounded by crystal glasses and melted ice.

Serena crossed the room and swung her purse into his face.

The room fell silent.

Ryan turned his head slowly. His jaw tightened as he touched the red mark on his cheek.

"Have you lost your mind?"

The women stared at Serena’s mask, dark sunglasses, and oversized coat. She looked less like a guest and more like someone trying to hide from cameras.

"What are you looking at?" Serena snapped. "You should all get tested. Today."

The women exchanged uneasy glances.

"For what?" one of them asked.

Serena’s eyes locked on Ryan. "Ask him."

That was enough. One woman grabbed her purse. Another left her drink behind. Within seconds, all three had hurried out of the room.

Ryan watched the door close, then looked back at Serena.

"What do you want?"

"Fifty million."

He gave a short, humorless laugh. "For what?"

"You know exactly what for. You exposed me to syphilis."

"Did I?" Ryan leaned back against the sofa. "Your screening test was reactive. That doesn’t prove I infected you."

"The confirmatory tests were reactive too."

"That still doesn’t tell you when you got it or who gave it to you."

His calmness made her even angrier.

"Pay me," she said. "Or everyone will hear that you’re infected."

Ryan studied her for a moment. Then he laughed again.

"You’re trying to blackmail me with a medical condition you can’t connect to me?"

"I know you’ve been to the hospital."

"So what? Maybe I was visiting someone. Maybe I was getting tested. Neither one proves anything."

Serena’s face burned.

Ryan reached for the bottle and poured himself another drink.

"I’ll give you five million," he said. "Call it payment for old times and a favor to Dr. Winthrop. Not a dollar more."

"You think I’m afraid of you?"

"I think you’re desperate."

He set down his glass.

"And be careful with threats. If you start spreading rumors about me, I’ll make sure people learn about your diagnosis too. I won’t need access to your medical records. People in our circle already talk."

Serena’s fingers curled into fists. "What else have you heard?"

"There are no real secrets in this town. Especially not when a married Alpha cheats on his mate and spends a fortune on another woman." His mouth twisted. "People only kept quiet because of your grandfather."

Her anger faltered.

Ryan leaned forward and caught her wrist.

She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.

"Let go of me."

"Here’s my advice," Ryan said, lowering his voice. "Don’t tell Sebastian everything. Don’t tell him about the diagnosis or the treatment. Give him only enough to make him panic."

His hand moved toward her stomach.