Chapter Three

Ava's POV

I woke up to a dull throbbing ache in my head. My body felt heavy and my throat was dry, like I hadn't taken water in days. I blinked against the harsh fluorescent light as my surroundings became clear— I was still at the hospital.

I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain, like invisible claws raking through soft tissues, shot through my lower abdomen. I winced in pain as my eyes moved down to the dress I wore and widened in shock. There were blood stains on my dress.

What the hell happened to me? Why did I feel like something was being torn away from my stomach? Like I had just had a terrible cramp?

The door creaked open and a doctor stepped in. He froze when our eyes met.

“Mrs. Anderson, you are awake.” He said softly, cautiously.

I stared at him, my mind reeling with numerous questions. “What… happened?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

He moved closer, his face clouded with sympathy. “Mrs. Anderson, you fainted during the transfusion. We had to run a full scan to ensure you were okay.”

I just stared at him, my eyes narrowed in confusion.

His voice dropped lower. “You were pregnant.”

I froze, my eyes widening in shock. A pile lodged in my throat, not enabling me to speak for a moment.

“Were pregnant?” I finally whispered, my voice trembling.

He nodded gently, “It was barely a few weeks along. It likely hadn't shown symptoms yet but the strain your body went through… the blood loss, it was too much.” He muttered, not aware of the havoc he had just wrecked in my mind.

I stared at the doctor, barely breathing. “You are saying I lost the baby?” A sob caught in my throat as the doctor bobbed his head.

“I'm sorry, Mrs. Anderson. The miscarriage happened while you were unconscious.”

My heart dropped with something heavy and my breathing stopped as my hands pressed against my stomach.

“I didn't even know…” Tears burned in my eyes, but refused to fall as if my body had nothing left to give.

My chest ached with an unbearable pain. I had lost a child. A part of me that I didn't know existed. Williams hadn't only taken my blood, he took everything from me— a baby I never had the chance to love.

The door opened again. This time, I didn't bother to look up. I knew that scent, that heavy cologne. That entitled silence that always came before he spoke.

Williams Anderson.

My supposed husband.

He stepped inside, calm as ever, as if this were just another simple day. As if we hadn't both just lost a child we never knew existed. My stomach tightened painfully with rage.

I expected an apology, regret or anything to show that he felt bad about the child we'd both lost due to his absurd actions. But when I looked into his eyes, his expression was cold, flat as if nothing had happened.

The pain in my chest grew sharper and it felt like I was drowning in it. How could he just act like nothing happened?

“You are awake.” He said flatly. “Olivia is stable also, thanks for saving her.”

That was it. That was all I owe him?

My fingers dug deep into my palms. “You tricked me into coming here. Giving her my blood was against my will.”

“But you saved a life, Ava!” He whisper-yelled, his eyes void of any emotions.

“I lost a child.” My voice broke and my body shook violently on the bed.

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of guilt or maybe regret flash in William's eyes, but his next words made me realise that I had only imagined it.

“I didn't know you were pregnant. You wouldn't have kept it anyway.” He shrugged his shoulders.

His words hit me like a slap, leaving me momentarily breathless. I felt a mixture of sadness and pure rage in my chest as his words echoed in my ears.

A heavy silence stretched between us. My heart pounded heavily in my chest. I felt numb and empty like every part of me was gone with the child I had lost.

Williams didn't care about me or the child I’d lost. Yet, I was too blind to see it before now. Maybe if I had signed the divorce papers and left his life last night, I wouldn't have lost my baby.

“You should return home when you feel better. Don't spend too many days here because of the hospital bills.” He muttered coldly.

I just lay there, staring at the ceiling as Williams shut the door behind him. He had left, and once again, I was alone in this world.

The tears finally streamed down my face, slipping over my cheeks like they’d been waiting all along, hiding behind the numbness.

I had loved a man who only saw me as a substitute. I had given everything— the company I worked so hard to build all my life, my love, my blood and a child I never knew I was carrying.

I was now left with nothing but grief, an ache in my chest and silence in my soul. Nothing but scars no one could see. Replaying everything that had transpired between me and Williams up to this point, I realised he was always at the receiving end. He had never really done anything for me, yet I didn't see all of these until this moment.

What was the point in keeping a man who never loved me? A man who only saw someone else in me?

I wiped the tears from my face as something strange began stirring within me. My gaze filled with sudden determination.

“I will have my revenge, I promise,” I whispered, pure boiling rage burning in my chest.

I don't know how yet, but I will fight. Not just to heal, but to make both Williams and Olivia feel what they’d done.

Williams took my company, my blood and my baby. I will make him pay. Every lie, every betrayal. He'd pay dearly for it.

“But to get my revenge, I need to sign the divorce papers.”

I forced myself to sit upright, before grabbing my phone from the nearby table.

Dialing my best friend's number, she picked up after the second ring.

“Freya, please, could you come and pick me up at the hospital?” I pleaded, knowing how dramatic she could be.

“Are you okay, Ava?” Her tone was laced with concern.

My eyes sting with tears, but I blinked them back. I had cried enough and couldn't cry anymore.

“I need to sign a divorce paper at home. Please, come pick me up.” I ended the call and sent her the hospital address, making a mental note to explain things to her later.