Chapter 3

3.

Callum sat by Vivianne's bed, gently tucking her in.

She leaned into him, her face pale and her eyes wide with manufactured innocence.

"Callum, I feel much better now. Please don't be mad anymore," she whispered.

"Mindy probably didn't mean it. You should let her out. It's so cold, and with her being pregnant... if something happens..."

"Let her out?" Callum's eyes hardened.

"She made you suffer like this. She needs to reflect. If I don't break her now, she'll never stop targeting you."

Vivianne hid a flash of triumph behind a worried expression.

"But I'm really okay. And that's your baby she's carrying. You'll regret it if something goes wrong."

"Regret?" Callum scoffed.

"If I want children, there are plenty of women who would line up to give them to me. As long as you're okay, nothing else matters."

Vivianne's heart soared, but she kept up the charade.

"You shouldn't say that. The baby is innocent. How about this? When I'm fully recovered, let her out and have her apologize to me. We can just move on."

Callum thought about it and finally nodded.

"Fine. I'll do it for you. When you're better, I'll bring her to your feet."

He had no idea that in the vault, I was falling apart.

The pain in my stomach was like a thousand knives twisting in my gut.

My body felt like it was made of lead, and my consciousness was fading fast.

I thought of my parents. If they knew, they would be devastated.

They had hated the idea of me marrying him, but they respected my choice anyway.

I should have listened. I should never have stepped into this house.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I couldn't protect you," I whispered, tears flowing freely.

"If there's a next life, I won't be this stupid. I'll take you to someone who actually loves us."

Suddenly, I felt a gush of warmth between my legs. My water had broken.

Despair hit me like a tidal wave. I knew a baby couldn't survive this.

I fought with everything I had to hold on to that tiny life, but the cold was too much.

I felt the spark of my child slowly flicker and go out. And then, I started to slip away too.

In the final second before the darkness took me, I saw Callum's face in my mind.

That cold, indifferent gaze felt like a blade through my heart.

I made a silent vow: I hate you, Callum Sterling. I will never forgive you.