Chapter 2

2

At dinner, Liam brought Serena to the table.

"I told him I didn't want to come, but Liam insisted," Serena said.

She leaned against him like a snake with no bones.

"Oh, I forgot the Mrs. was here. Don't get me wrong, I'm just really dependent on Liam."

Her eyes were full of provocation.

Liam's voice was doting. "Avery is big-hearted. She won't misunderstand."

Of course I wouldn't.

You two deserve each other.

I kept my head down and ate quietly. Serena suddenly giggled and poked Liam's chest.

"I'm happy today. I want a drink. Liam, stay with me, okay?"

Her voice was cloyingly sweet.

Liam instinctively looked at me.

"Does Avery want a drink too?"

I shook my head.

Liam followed her off, his footsteps fading toward the wine cellar.

Serena's red lips curled into a smirk as she looked at me sideways.

"You don't actually think he married you because he likes you, do you?"

Her nails tapped against an empty glass. "Listen up, little cripple."

"Let's try a little experiment."

With a sharp crash, Serena smashed the glass. A jagged shard sliced right across my arm.

Blood began to snake down my wrist.

"Ah!" I cried out. Serena leaned close to my ear and laughed.

"Scream. Scream louder. Otherwise, I'd think you were a block of wood that never feels pain."

"I wonder... will Liam actually care about you this time?"

When Liam rushed upstairs, his pupils drifted.

I was clutching my bleeding arm, while Serena was holding her face and sobbing.

"Ms. Avery broke the glass herself. I was just trying to help her pick it up, but she hit me..."

She really was an actress. The tears came right on cue.

Seeing Serena looking so pitiful, Liam's heart broke for her.

He grabbed my arm, his voice as cold as ice.

"Apologize to Serena!"

I looked at the victorious glint in Serena's eyes and suddenly laughed.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Vance."

How many times had I apologized now?

I had lost count.

Liam picked Serena up in his arms and walked away. I vaguely remembered him carrying me through the rain like that three years ago.

Later that night, I couldn't sleep. I got up to get some water.

Rustling sounds came from the second floor.

I crept up the stairs. The noise was coming from the guest room.

A man's voice was thick with repressed lust.

"Serena, can't you just retire and marry me? I'm going crazy missing you..."

"But you already have a wife. With a beauty in your arms, how could you have time for me?"

The woman giggled.

"Don't mention her. Sleeping with that cripple makes me feel disgusted. I only have feelings for your body..."

The door wasn't fully closed. Through the crack, I saw their bodies entangled under the dim light.

It was sickening. Every second I watched felt like a slow execution.

Just as I was about to leave, Serena let out a sharp scream.

"Ah! It hurts, Liam!"

"Serena, what's wrong?"

The lights flickered on. I gripped the doorframe with my weak legs.

Liam rushed out, carrying Serena. His arm slammed hard into my chest.

I fell heavily to the ground.

"What are you doing here?"

He was shocked at first, then furious.

"You saw everything?"

His gaze drifted down to my legs, his eyes sharp.

"Your legs... get in the car. We're going to the hospital!"

At the hospital, the doctor scolded Liam while looking at a report.

"Intercourse is not recommended during the early stages of pregnancy."

"Serena is pregnant?" Liam's voice was full of joy.

"Yes, almost two months. But there are signs of a threatened loss. She needs to stay for observation."

"As for Ms. Avery..." the doctor hesitated.

"Are her legs okay?" Liam's voice turned to ice the moment my name was mentioned.

"Regardless of the legs, Ms. Avery is also pregnant."

The doctor's words were like a lightning bolt. Not only was Liam shocked, but I was frozen outside the door.

I touched my still-flat stomach and decided I had to leave immediately.

I didn't call the maid. I left the wheelchair behind and leaned against the wall to reach the exit.

But Liam's bodyguards caught me and dragged me back.

Locked in a hospital room, Liam tore off his mask of gentleness.

"Clear the path. We aren't keeping the baby."

I couldn't believe it. "Why?"

"Serena is pregnant. Her child cannot be born into a scandal. I'll send you both abroad. You'll raise Serena's child as your own."

"The procedure would hurt Serena's body too much, so you'll be the one to do it. It's decided."

"I'll compensate you."

His tone was full of hollow charity.

I turned my head away. "I don't need it. I don't agree."

Liam stared at me, shocked that I would fight back. Then, he grew angry.

"You don't have a choice."

Looking at my recovered legs, Liam called the guards.

Ignoring my screams, they handcuffed me to the bed rail.