Chapter 2

2

He lunged forward in a rage and gripped my wrist so hard I winced.

"I just helped Isla with a medical issue. Is that really worth a divorce?"

"Do you have any idea how much she needs help right now? You're so focused on being jealous and spiteful. No wonder you can't have kids!"

He slammed the door and left.

I collapsed onto the sofa, feeling weak.

The trauma from two years ago felt like it was hitting me all over again.

He knew how much I suffered, yet he used that pain to stab me repeatedly.

My phone lit up. It was a call from Bennett that I accidentally answered.

Isla's soft, breathy moans came through the speaker.

"Bennett, no... it's too cold! That's too much!"

Bennett's voice was gentle as he comforted her.

"Be a good girl, Isla. If we apply more, you'll recover faster."

The call ended quickly.

It seemed they were already using the kit I gave him.

It was hilarious how he had just claimed he only loved me.

One disgusting realization after another hammered at my brain.

I couldn't take it anymore and ran to the bathroom to vomit, a sharp pain blooming in my lower abdomen.

Suddenly, a thought struck me, and I quickly ordered a pregnancy test via a delivery app.

Half an hour later, I stared blankly at the two lines on the stick.

I was pregnant.

At the exact moment my husband was flirting with his widowed sister-in-law.

For the past two years, I had swallowed bitter medicine with my tears and endured painful injections just to recover.

If Bennett hadn't changed, I would have jumped for joy.

I would have told the whole world the good news.

Now, I calmly booked an appointment for a termination.

A failing marriage wouldn't be fixed by a child.

No child should be born into such a broken home.

The next morning, I arrived at the hospital for the procedure.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

I turned to see Bennett, looking at me with a smug, "I knew it" expression.

"So you know you were wrong? You actually came to the hospital where Isla has her check-up just to wait for me."

"Isla was right. I should have ignored you for a while to teach you a lesson, or I'd just spoil you rotten."

"Since Isla is here, go and apologize to her. Because of you, she cried so much her milk dried up yesterday."

"If she forgives you, I'll pretend I never heard that talk about divorce."

He held his head high while Isla huddled in his arms, peeking at me.

She acted as if I were some dangerous beast.

She didn't look anything like the calculated woman who had called me yesterday.

She sobbed twice, clutching Bennett's sleeve piteously.

"Go check my appointment room first. I want to talk to her alone."

Bennett looked at her worriedly, gave me one last warning glare, and then walked away.

I didn't have time for her games and turned toward the restroom.

When I came out, a baby was suddenly thrust into my arms.

I looked up to see Isla's eyes filled with malice.

She pulled her collar aside.

Her neck, collarbone, and chest were covered in dark, suggestive marks.

It was clear how intense their night had been.

"Bennett doesn't have a shred of love left for you. Since you won't leave, don't blame me for being cruel!"

With that, she slapped herself twice across the face and dropped to her knees in front of me, tears streaming down.

"Elara, I'm sorry! My husband just died, and I didn't know what to do. I only have Bennett to rely on."

"I beg you, hit me as much as you want, but please spare the baby! The child is innocent!"

I felt a surge of dread. I looked up, and as expected, Bennett was running toward us.

He snatched the baby away and swept Isla into his arms.

Then, he used all his strength to kick me in the stomach.

"You monster! It wasn't enough to hurt Isla, now you're attacking a baby? Why don't you just die? We're getting a divorce. Right now!"

He even turned back and kicked me one more time before leaving.

Before the bystanders could even process the drama, a girl nearby screamed.

"She's bleeding! Someone call a doctor!"