chapter 3

When I opened my eyes, all I saw was white.

I was in a hospital.

My gaze shifted slightly—and there they were. The butler, George, and the maid, Julia, had eyes red and brimming with tears.

Julia took two quick steps toward me and knelt by my side.

"Ma'am, what happened to you?" Her voice trembled.

"You were supposed to come in for a prenatal checkup today. We kept calling you, but a stranger finally answered and told us you were injured at the nightclub. George and I rushed over as fast as we could."

Her hands wiped at her eyes. "You were covered in blood. We were scared out of our minds."

She paused, then added softly, "We tried calling Mr. Strain, but his phone's been off."

I gave a faint smile, my throat so dry the words scraped as they came out. "He wouldn't have answered anyway."

Why would he? He held his beloved in his arms now—his first love, whom he had lost and found.

Why would he pick up the phone for me?

Julia blinked in surprise.

She furrowed her brows and gently handed me a glass of water.

"Please rest, ma'am. We can reschedule the checkup."

I took a sip, then shook my head.

"No need."

She didn't understand and simply looked at me in puzzlement.

Then I said, as calmly as I could, "The baby's gone. There's nothing to check."

She turned to George, both of them stunned, neither able to speak.

I closed my eyes briefly.

"And don't tell Christian anything. I'll tell him myself ... tonight."

Silence fell.

I shifted slightly and winced as pain tore through my back.

It was so sharp that I clenched my teeth hard—but even that was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

The pain was killing me!

Christian's action ... It didn't just hurt.

It cracked my heart wide open like a windshield hit by a hammer.

Cold air rushed through every shattered piece, and with it came the storm—

A hurricane of resentment and hate was rising.

I was in such pain that my body was trembling.

"I want to go home," I whispered.

George and Julia responded immediately.

"Yes, ma'am. We'll make arrangements right away."

I smilled bitterly in my heart.

Not his home.

My home.

Christian called me at six in the evening.

There were just three hours left before my flight.

"I'll be home in three hours," he said.

I let out a mocking laugh.

Haha! What a coincidence!

I didn't stop packing as he spoke.

The divorce papers. The hospital documents.

I stacked them neatly on the bed.

Then came the photos—99 in total. Each one of them crystal clear.

I laid them out, row by row, in the most obvious spot.

When I turned around, George was standing there, holding the phone, looking helpless.

The call was on speaker. Christian's voice came through in a rush, full of panic.

As if I were something precious he couldn't afford to lose.

"Hello? I said I'll be home in three hours; did you hear me?

"How's my wife? Did you take her to her appointment?

"Has she been eating well? Getting enough rest? How's her mood—was she happy today?"

George stammered, glancing at me; he was in the spot.

I walked over and took the phone from him.

When I replied, there was even a smile on my lips.

"The checkup went fine. The doctor said everything looks perfect."

He paused—just for a second. Then softened his voice. "Sweetheart, I'll be home soon. Is there anything you're craving? I'll cook whatever you want tonight."

I answered lightly, "I'm alright. I've prepared a little surprise for you. So don't let work tie you down—you have to come home tonight."

Just then, a woman's voice rang out in the background.

Christian panicked, then he quickly hung up.

Before the line went dead, he promised me he would come home.

Right after, a new message buzzed on my phone.

Adeline ridiculed, "You've got quite the patience. Impressive."

I didn't reply but blocked her.

Then I turned to George and Julia.

"You can go now," I said softly.

"When he comes home and sees everything, he's going to lose it. I'll transfer three times your wages to your account. You've got three hours—decide if you want to stay or not."

Their eyes welled up.

I waved them off.

This was all I could do for them now.

As for you, Christian ...

Everything comes with a price.

If curses could really work, then I curse you to reap what you sow.

To lose whatever you cling to.

To reach for happiness and lose it just as fast.

To have everything you want, only to watch it slip away.