Chapter 1

I was six months pregnant when Winston Lowe brought his little clique home to play video games.

I spent the afternoon cooking for them and brought the food out to the table.

To my surprise, Fiona Lane burst into tears, claiming I was trying to intimidate her.

All because I had accidentally added some cilantro to the dish, which she happened to hate.

Winston and the rest of the group demanded that I apologize to her right then and there.

"She is sensitive, just go easy on her," Winston said coldly.

When I refused, he grabbed me and forced me onto the floor, making me kneel before Fiona.

"Apologize to Fiona! You are completely out of control!"

With my head bowed in humiliation, I calmly scheduled the earliest possible termination procedure for that very day.

But once I truly decided to leave him, Winston was the one who went insane.

1

I leaned against the freezing wall as I slowly limped out of the hospital gates.

The sky was darkening, and a heavy blizzard was blowing through the city.

The combination of the biting cold and the agonizing cramps in my abdomen made me feel like I was dying.

I checked my phone and saw a message from Winston.

"It is freezing outside. Stop being dramatic and just come home."

"By the way, stop at the convenience store on your way back and pick up some pads for Fiona."

Fresh blood was still staining my leggings.

How could Winston not know that I had just undergone a major procedure?

I dialed his number.

The person on the other end stopped laughing when he picked up.

Usually, his little group of friends would have left by this time of day.

"Do you finally realize what you did wrong?" Winston's cold voice came through the line.

"Are we out of ginger at home? Pick up a couple of pieces at the market on your way."

The baby was gone.

Before I could say a word, Winston continued.

"Fiona got her period early because you upset her so much. Now she is rolling around on the floor in pain."

"I want to make her some hot ginger tea. Do not dawdle and get back here fast."

I hung up the phone, clutching my dizzy head.

It was the first time I had ever heard of a period being triggered by sheer anger.

I had foolishly thought for a second that Winston might be concerned about my health.

How pathetic of me.

I had been married to Winston for six years.

The times he had actually cared for me could be counted on one hand.

Let alone him personally making me tea while I was on my cycle.

Yet, he showered Fiona with that kind of basic human decency constantly.

I was far too weak to fight right now.

To avoid a confrontation, I bought the items and brought them back.

But I did not expect to find Fiona lying in the bed I had occupied for six years.

It was just the two of them in the house.

Winston snatched the plastic bag from my hand.

"You are sleeping somewhere else tonight. Fiona is in this state because of you."

"You need to pay for your actions."

The front door slammed shut in my face.

I felt a total sense of despair.

My husband of six years had kicked me out into the snow for his childhood friend.

Standing in the freezing night, I clenched my fists.

This marriage was a lie, and I was done with it.