Chapter 1

Chapter 1

On the night of their lavish wedding, Arden Johnson traveled with her husband, Luke Parker, to a secluded hotel suite far beyond the city limits for their honeymoon.

Luke carried her effortlessly all the way from the parking lot to their room, showering her face with affectionate kisses as the door clicked shut behind them.

“You wouldn't believe what I have planned for tonight,” Luke murmured, gently setting her down on the edge of the plush king-sized bed.

“Mmh, I can't wait,” Arden replied with a smile, pulling him down into a lingering kiss.

“Before anything else, I need to freshen up,” Luke said, breaking the kiss a warm smile tugged on his lips.

“Let me join you. I need to wash up too, I'm all sweaty from the reception,” Arden replied, immediately kicking off her shoes and standing up.

“Umm, go ahead. Actually, I realized I left something important in the car; I'll go grab it and join you shortly,” Luke said, giving her a quick peck on the lips.

“Okay, but don't take too long down there,” Arden replied, her eyes softening with affection.

Immediately after he stepped out into the hallway, Arden shed her heavy wedding gown and headed straight into the bathroom. She spent a few refreshing minutes under the warm spray, washing away the stress of the long day.

When she stepped back out into the suite, the digital clock on the nightstand glowed, but Luke still wasn't back. Shrugging off the mild annoyance, she walked over to her luggage and pulled out some soft silk nightwear and matching lace lingerie. Just as she finished dressing, the front door clicked open and Luke walked in carrying a bottle of wine.

“What took you so long?” Arden asked from the vanity, running a brush through her damp hair.

“I was looking everywhere for the security guard with the spare car keys,” Luke replied, his voice laced with irritation. “The staff here are completely incompetent. I honestly wonder if those reviews online are even real.”

“Don't stress yourself about it, honey,” Arden said soothingly. She walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and breathing in his familiar cologne.

“I brought the keys up with me so it won't happen again,” he replied, dangling the silver ring in front of her face with a reassuring grin.

“You did well,” Arden said, giving him a soft kiss that pulled him closer. “Don't let anyone or anything spoil tonight for us.”

“Yeah, speaking of that...” Luke gently untangled her hands from his neck and stepped back. He walked over to a side table where two crystal glasses had been set up before their arrival. “I got this special drink to start our night.”

“You really know how to plan ahead,” Arden replied with a fond smile as she sat back down on the edge of the bed. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she watched him with quiet admiration, deeply grateful she had married the love of her life.

“As much as I'd love to take all the credit, Stephanie is the one who packed this drink for us,” Luke replied, expertly popping the cork and pouring a deep, rich crimson liquid into both glasses.

“Aww, typical Stephanie, always looking out for me. Isn't she the sweetest?” Arden mused, pulling out her phone to type a quick thank-you text to her stepsister.

“Of course she is,” he replied evenly. “Here, keep yourself busy with this while I go have a quick shower,” he added, walking over and handing her a glass of wine.

“To forever,” Arden toasted, her eyes glemering in anticipation.

Luke offered a thin smile. Gently he placed his glass back down on the table without taking a sip, and headed to the bathroom.

Arden sat sipping the rich drink while casually scrolling through her phone. It rang loudly just as she took a sip from her second glass.

“Kate! I thought you weren't going to call me tonight,” Arden answered right away, her tone bright.

“I'm so sorry, I was just making sure everything was wrapped up and in order after you left the venue. I'm only arriving home now—I haven't even changed out of my dress yet,” Kate's exhausted voice came through the speaker.

“Thank you so much for everything tonight, Kate. I really mean it.”

“Don’t mention it, besides, what are best friends for?” Kate replied warmly. Then, her tone shifted with mild curiosity. “By the way, why are you not with your husband?”

“He's in the bathroom,” Arden replied, taking another small sip of wine.

“I thought newlywed couples traditionally showered together on their first night?” Kate teased.

“Not every couple, Kate,” Arden chuckled softly.

“Or are you just shy?”

"Why would I even be shy? It's not like it's our first time—we're even expecting a baby now," Arden said playfully, rolling her eyes as her hand instinctively rested over her stomach.

Kate laughed brightly from the other end of the line, and Arden joined in. Suddenly, a sharp, white-hot spike of agony tore through Arden's lower stomach. Her laughter cut off instantly as she winced hard, doubling over.

“Are you okay?” Kate asked instantly, picking up on the sudden shift in her friend's voice.

“I... I am. Just felt a weird cramp in my tummy,” Arden replied, her breath hitching. "Maybe it's just wedding stress.”

“Okay, if you feel sick, make sure to let Luke know right away,” Kate urged, concern bleeding into her tone. “I still don't understand why Luke insisted on taking you to a desolate place like that for your honeymoon.”

“I'm fine, Kate. You know Luke just wanted to give us some peace and quiet away from the busy city.”

“Yeah, but the nearest hospital is at least an hour's drive away through winding mountain roads. You're in your vulnerable first trimester, Arden. You and your husband need to start prioritizing the baby's safety. I don't want anything happening to my future godchild.”

“I'm fine, Kate. Nothing is happen—” Arden suddenly gasped, her fingers digging into the mattress as a terrifying wave of heat flooded her body.

“Oh, my God.”

“What is it, Arden? Talk to me!” Kate demanded, her voice rising rapidly in panic.

“Kate... my tummy... my baby... there's blood,” Arden choked out, tears streaming down her face as the phone slipped from her hand onto the floor.

“Arden? Are you there? Can you hear me? Say something, Arden!” Kate's voice echoed frantically from the receiver lying face-down near the bed.

“Luke!” Arden sobbed out, collapsing entirely onto the floor as the agonizing pain in her lower abdomen became completely unbearable. “Luke, please help the baby!”

The bathroom remained completely silent. No matter how hysterically Arden screamed, there was no answering voice. Desperate, cold sweat dripping down her face, she began dragging herself across the floor toward the bathroom door, pounding against the wood with what little strength she had left in her body.

“Luke, can't you hear me?” she choked out through heavy sobs, tears completely blurring her vision.

Slowly, with agonizing deliberateness, the bathroom door creaked open.

Luke stepped out into the bedroom light.

He was fully, impeccably clothed, down to his suit jacket.

“Luke, save the baby, please,” Arden begged, her voice a broken whisper as she reached out a trembling hand to grab his ankle.

He calmly stepped backward, effortlessly dodging her reaching fingers, and walked back over to the small table.

"Luke... please, save our baby," Arden wept, blood pooling beneath her.

Without a word of pity, Luke picked up the half-empty bottle of wine, looked down at his dying wife with cold detachment, and smiled.

Just then, a sharp, heavy knock echoed loudly from the front door of the suite.