Chapter 3 Framed

6

I took the elevator down to the first floor and was about to leave when Kelsey grabbed me.

Nina, it's been so many years, and you really haven't changed at all. Still as plain as ever, always ending up as a loser.

I had already broken up, and yet she still had the nerve to show off in front of me?

There was no way I was going to lose to her in a war of words.

And how much have you won? Your trip abroad must have polished you up quite a bit, huh? Oh, and you even came back with a kid. So, where's the father? Don't tell me it's Darren?

Kelsey's face darkened. "I don't have time for your petty remarks. I came to tell you that I gave Darren to you for eight years, but I'm not stepping aside anymore. And you heard it yourself. Darren wants to marry me, not you. You were just a stand-in while I was gone."

If that's the case, I've already broken up with Darren, so what are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be rushing to get him to the courthouse? Oh, wait, I get it. Darren doesn't actually want to marry you, and you're jealous of me, right?

Kelsey's face darkened when I hit the mark, and she didn't know how to respond.

I had no desire to keep watching her put on a show, nor was I interested in anyone who betrayed me, not even if he was the father of my unborn baby.

Just as I was about to leave, Kelsey suddenly grabbed my arm and started crying loudly. "Nina, I've already told you, it's not like what you saw between Darren and me. Why won't you believe me? I don't want to steal your boyfriend. Please trust me!"

I could tell she was acting, and instinctively glanced behind me. Sure enough, I saw Darren walking toward us. His face was grim and he was clearly unhappy.

I had no interest in playing along with this drama queen, so I pulled my hand free and got ready to leave.

But suddenly, she yanked me, and we both tumbled down the stairs. As we fell, she screamed at the top of her lungs. "Nina, even if you hate me, you can't push me!"

I knew what she was up to, but it was too late. I couldn't pull my arm away in time and was dragged down the stairs with her!

No!

My baby!

I desperately shielded my stomach, but the steps outside the venue were too steep. No matter how hard I tried to protect it, I was afraid it wouldn't be enough.

My eyes welled up with tears.

I pleaded silently, hoping my baby wouldn't leave me.

Kelsey and I crashed to the bottom of the stairs, and I couldn't move. Pain surged through every part of my body.

It felt like I was losing the tiny life inside me.

7

When I woke up in the hospital, there was no one around.

I completely lost consciousness as I tumbled down the stairs. I didn't even know who brought me to the hospital.

Darren wasn't by my side.

The doctor stood by my side, checking on my condition.

I grabbed his arm, anxiously asking, "Doctor, what about my baby?"

The doctor sighed. "You're still young. There will be other chances to have a baby."

I could no longer hold back my tears. They burst out like a flood!

I never even got to see my baby, never got to watch it grow, or wait for the ultrasound to show what it would look like.

And just like that, Kelsey had taken it from me.

I pounded the bedsheets in agony, unable to contain the overwhelming grief in my heart.

Since I had already broken up with Darren, why did she have to go so far?

I grabbed my phone and called Darren.

He answered quickly, but his voice was filled with impatience.

Nina, you still have the nerve to call me? Do you know that Kelsey is in a coma because you pushed her down the stairs? How could you be so vicious?

Vicious? It was Kelsey who pushed me down the stairs! Do you even know I lost our baby!

I was hysterical, drowning in despair. The man I had loved for eight years wasn't with me during my worst moment. Instead, he was by another woman's side.

Darren let out a cold laugh. "Our baby? What game are you playing this time? You're not even pregnant, so what baby are you talking about? Don't think you can cover up what you did!"

My heart went completely cold.

Hearing that he wanted to marry Kelsey didn't hurt me as much as this moment.

Fine, Darren. Fine! I wasted eight years of my youth on you, all for nothing!

I hung up.

Darren called again, but I didn't pick up.

I needed to recover quickly. I needed to leave this place!