Waiting in the shadows

The Trap

Sophie stared at her phone screen, her jaw tightening as she scrolled through another photograph of Layrus. The image had been posted by one of Maya's cousins after the small family gathering. It showed the baby laughing in Lucas's arms while relatives crowded around them, smiling.

A perfect little family moment Exactly the kind Sophie hated Her fingers curled around the phone For weeks she had watched it happen Lucas visited more often asking about Layrus and drifting back into Maya's orbit.

All because of that child.

Her eyes darkened. "So that's how you want to play this, Maya," she muttered to herself.

If Layrus was the reason Lucas kept returning to Maya...Then Layrus would also be the reason everything collapsed. Sophie reached for another phone lying on the coffee table The number dialled was already familiar.

"Doctor Anna," Sophie said coldly when the call connected. "I think it's time for the final phase."

Across London, Maya was sitting in the living room while Layrus played on a soft blanket on the floor beside her. The baby was full of restless energy. He had recently discovered how to roll over and seemed extremely proud of himself every time he managed it. Maya watched him with an amused smile.

"You think you're very clever, don't you?" Layrus answered with a happy squeal.

Just then, her phone buzzed She picked it up casually.

The moment she saw the sender, her smile disappeared.

Sophie and Maya hesitated before opening the message. I'm bleeding badly at home. No one is here. I think something is wrong. Please help me get to the hospital.

Maya frowned.

Her first instinct was suspicion, but the message was followed by another one Please Maya. I don't have anyone else right now Maya sighed quietly. She disliked Sophie deeply now But she was still a doctor And she was not the type of person who could ignore a medical emergency.

She looked down at Layrus. "Looks like mummy needs to step out for a bit."

A few minutes later she called her mother. "Mom, can you watch Layrus for a while? I need to check on someone."

Her mother agreed immediately Within twenty minutes Maya was driving across the city The entire way there, something felt... wrong Still, she pushed the thought away If Sophie really was bleeding, time mattered.

When Maya arrived at Lucas's penthouse building, the doorman recognised her and allowed her upstairs. She knocked on the door, No response, She knocked again The door slowly opened.

Inside, the apartment was strangely quiet.

"Sophie?" Maya called.

Then she stepped inside What she saw made her freeze Glass shattered across the floor, A vase lay broken near the wall, Several objects had been thrown across the room And in the centre of it all Then she saw Sophie, She was standing near the centre of the room, breathing heavily, her hands trembling.

"Sophie!" Maya rushed forward. "What happened? You said you were bleeding-"

"My baby..." Sophie whispered weakly.

Maya's medical instincts kicked in instantly.

"Where are you bleeding from? Sit down."

She moved toward the kitchen. "Let me get you some water and then we'll go to the hospital-"

The moment Maya turned her back

Sophie lunged. Her hand shot forward and grabbed Maya by the neck.

Before Maya could react, Sophie shoved her violently onto the sofa, The air rushed from Maya's lungs.

"You think you won?" Sophie hissed, tightening her grip.

Maya clawed at her hands desperately "Sophie-what-are-you-doing?"

"You ruined everything!" Sophie spat. "Everything!"

Maya's chest burned as she struggled for air Her vision blurred.

Then she saw it, a tall standing lamp beside the sofa Using the last of her strength, she grabbed it and swung it hard The metal base struck Sophie's head. Sophie cried out as she collapsed backwards But instead of attacking again

She screamed. "My baby!"

Her hands flew to her stomach as she fell to the floor And then Blood, Dark red blood slowly began spreading down her legs.

Maya froze. A miscarriage.

"What-?" Maya whispered.

Sophie screamed louder "You killed my baby!"

The front door burst open. Lucas rushed inside. "Maya!" He ran straight to her, grabbing her shoulders "Are you okay?"

Maya was still staring at Sophie in shock.

Lucas turned toward the floor. Sophie was crying hysterically, clutching her stomach as blood stained her dress.

"My baby..." she sobbed. "She pushed me... she killed my baby..."

Lucas's face went pale "Maya... what happened?"

Maya shook her head slowly "She attacked me," Maya said firmly.

Sophie cried louder "She hit me!" she screamed. "She pushed me! She killed my baby!"

Lucas looked between them, confusion and shock filling his expression Then Sophie slowly lifted her head Through her tears, she looked straight at Maya and smiled, a quiet, victorious smile that only Maya noticed.

The trap had worked exactly the way she planned.