Chapter 3

3

"Can't you show her some mercy? She's an orphan..."

Gavin's words were so hypocritical I wanted to vomit.

"She's an orphan, so I deserve to suffer?" I snapped back.

"Since I married you, have I had a single day of peace?"

"The thing I regret most in my life is lowering myself to marry you!"

Gavin's face turned ugly.

He swung his hand and slapped me hard across the face.

My ears rang, and I stumbled, knocking over a candle stand.

A searing pain flared in my cheek.

"Oh my!"

Liana was standing at the door, looking shocked.

Gavin didn't even look at me.

He rushed to Liana's side, shielding her behind him.

"Don't be scared, honey. Be careful, don't hurt yourself."

He turned back and roared at me, "Get up and clean this mess! You're scaring Liana!"

I tried to push myself up to scream at him.

But a wave of dizziness hit me. The world went black.

When I woke up, I heard the physician's angry voice.

"Your wife is pregnant, and you treat her like this?"

"If something happens to her, you'll be sorry!"

Gavin was acting all humble. "I know, I was wrong. I'll take better care of her."

After the doctor left, Gavin brought me a cup of water.

"I didn't know you were pregnant. I wouldn't have done that if I knew. You really scared Liana."

I looked at him coldly. "Are you blaming me for scaring your precious Liana?"

He choked on his words and sighed.

"Seraphina, you're my wife. Of course I want the best for you."

I closed my eyes, blocking him out.

A moment later, I heard the door close. He was gone.

I forced myself to sit up, planning to find the doctor to arrange the procedure.

But the nurse told me the doctor was busy with an emergency.

I went back to the room, feeling defeated.

A bowl of dark, herbal medicine was sitting on the side table.

I assumed the medical assistant had brought it in.

I picked it up and drank it, gulping down the bitter liquid.

Suddenly, the door flew open. It was Liana.

"Sister Seraphina, I brewed that special medicine just for you."

I froze. Why would this woman do anything nice for me?

Suddenly, a violent cramp ripped through my stomach.

I looked down. Blood was rapidly staining my skirt.

"I put a special herb in there to end your little problem," she hissed, leaning in.

"Gavin belongs to me. You won't use a brat to keep him."

I couldn't even answer. The pain was unbearable.

A warm gush of blood ran down my legs.

Liana's face twisted into a demonic grin.

"Even if you tell him, Gavin won't believe a word you say."

I grabbed the empty bowl and threw it at her face with all my strength.