Chapter 3

Years ago, Stella had abandoned Julian, leaving for another country without a word.

Julian was a wreck for a long time. It was me who stayed by his side, step by step, helping him out of the darkness.

I gave him all of my family's connections and resources, helping him climb to the position of hospital director.

I did it all because I loved him, and I was willing to give him everything.

I thought I had finally won his heart, but I was wrong.

Stella came back.

Two months ago, Julian started coming home late and leaving early.

I thought it was just my pregnancy making me paranoid, until one day, I saw something unbelievable.

As usual, I brought a thermal lunch box to the hospital for Julian. He'd said the hospital food was terrible, so even with my big belly, I insisted on making him soup from scratch.

But Julian wasn't in his office, and he wasn't answering his phone.

I stopped a young nurse passing by and asked if she knew where he was.

The nurse looked at me with a strange expression. "I don't think Director Stone will be able to eat your food today."

My heart clenched. "What happened?"

At first, the nurse wouldn't say, but I grabbed her arm and, using my baby as leverage, kept pressing until she finally looked down and whispered.

"The Director has been paying special attention to a patient with depression lately. He often loses track of time..."

The more cautiously she spoke, the more my anxiety peaked.

When I got to the patient's room and pushed open the door, the scene inside made me freeze.

Julian was tenderly holding a beautiful, mature woman, the two of them locked in a passionate kiss.

That woman was Stella.

"Julian..." I whispered, my voice trembling as I fought to keep myself together.

I held back my tears, turned, and walked away, my mind in utter chaos.

On the day I went into labor, Julian received a call and rushed to a bar.

I was worried, so I followed him.

Stella was surrounded by a few drunk thugs who were harassing her. Julian charged in and started fighting them.

One of the thugs tried to attack him from behind, but Stella threw herself in front of Julian, taking the blow for him.

In the chaos, my stomach was hit hard.

"Julian!"

I called out to him, clutching my belly in fear.

"My stomach hurts so much, I think I'm going into labor."

He glared at me with disgust.

"Can you stop getting in the way! I wouldn't have been distracted if it weren't for you!"

Then he turned his worried gaze to Stella.

"Are you okay? I'll take you to the hospital right now."

I reached out and grabbed his sleeve, my eyes pleading with him to stop and help me, but he just shoved me away.

My hair was a mess, my face twisted in pain. I looked like a madwoman.

If a kind stranger hadn't sent me to the hospital in time, we would have both died.

And it was because of that impact that my baby's life was later lost.

But the whole drunk thug scene? It was all staged by Stella.

Her hand was barely scratched.

But my baby was truly gone.

The doctor said it had been a fully formed baby girl.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but clench my fists.

Julian, I will get back every single thing you owe me.