Avery's POV.

Avery's POV.

“She was never pregnant!” I yelled, pointing towards the redhead shedding crocodile tears on the couch.

“BAM!” 

My face snapped to the side from the slap. My hand reached up to rub my cheek as I fought back the tears.

When I lifted my head, I met the furious look of Stella-my mother in-law.

“You’re a pathetic person! You killed my grandchild and all of a sudden, you want me to believe that nonsense you're saying?” She barked.

How could I explain that I was telling the truth?

My eyes blurred with tears that flowed down as I darted my gaze to my husband…could I even call him that anymore? 

I mean, a man who replaced me in his life with my stepsister was no longer my husband right?

But even at that, I was helplessly in love with him. I channeled my anger towards Bianca, my stepsister who succeeded in shattering my home.

When dad brought her from the orphanage home many years ago, I was so happy about her arrival because I thought I'd finally found a sibling. 

But as time passed, she grew into an envious, self-centered lady and even then, I still loved her. I believed that she was just acting childish and she'd outgrow the attitude, but I thought wrong.

Bianca was now the reason I was reduced to nothing but a maid in my husband's house.

I hated that she snatched Dominic from me. Many nights, I'd cry myself to sleep after catching them acting all romantic with each other. Dominic was never like that, he used to love me. Until my health reports stated that I was incapable of birthing a child, which made sense as I'd suffered three miscarriages in the space of two years. 

But the doctor said there was hope, and I held onto that. I took medications, changed my diet, all just so I could get pregnant again. Just to prove myself to Dominic and his mother. And it finally happened as I’d taken a pregnancy test earlier this morning and it was positive.

But alongside the good news for Dominic, I discovered Bianca's pregnancy was fake. I confronted her about it when I served her breakfast, and she ended up turning the tables on me. She blamed me for poisoning her food which led to the miscarriage of a child that was never really there.

And since she announced the news of the child's death, all hell had been let loose for me in the house.

Dominic’s eyes darkened as his hands balled into fists. I didn't need to be told to stop staring.

I turned to his mother, “I promise that I didn't poison her food. She's only acting this way because I found out about her fake pregnancy!” I repeated and all I got was another hot slap.

I stumbled to the ground, sniffling back snot as my cheeks burned from the impact. 

“Sister, at least have some shame! If you couldn't provide an heir for Dominic, why won't you let another woman do it?” Bianca’s cracking voice tore through the room.

I couldn't understand it. How was she able to tell so much lies with a straight face? 

“Why the hell are you lying? You know I didn't poison your food!” I snapped, my body trembling from the tension twisting my insides.

“Dominic, do something about her! Punish her for stealing our joy!” Stella snapped, pointing a finger at me.

And with that, Dominic stepped forward, his tall muscular frame that used to comfort me now sent shivers running down my spine. 

I took another look into those brown orbs that once adored me and all I saw was unfiltered rage.

If he could devour me right here, he'd not think twice.

He grabbed my arm, his grip hurting my skin, “I never thought you'd grow to be so jealous of Bianca. I'll make sure you regret this.” His icy voice tingled in my ears, making me swallow hard. 

He yanked me forward, making me fall in front of Bianca. I grunted softly as my knees scraped the rug. 

“You're the one who's hurt the most. Decide what we do to her.” Dominic's words came from behind me, stabbing at my heart.

My eyes lifted to meet Bianca's and they sparkled with satisfaction, even though her lips curled downwards as she wiped her tears.

“You know I didn't do it. I'm your stepsister. Please, don't hurt me,” I whispered, hoping my words would touch Bianca but she scoffed.

My predicament was always seeing the good in people, even when all they did hurt me time and time again. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I sobbed quietly, it was the kind of tears you shed when you know there's no way out.

“Sister, I loved you so much. Even when I noticed that you were always so jealous of my relationship with Dominic, I still cared for you,” She muttered, feigning sincerity in her voice.

My insides twisted with rage but my body was too weak to do anything. I laid down there, breathing while my hands circled around my belly like it would protect the baby.

“I may have done things that hurt you in the past, but that was not enough reason to hurt my child.” 

I coughed softly, exhaling deeply, “I've told you I didn't do-”

“Be quiet!” Bianca barked, rising from the couch.

“You'll eat the same food you gave to me that killed my child and then I'll throw you in the basement until I'm healed from this.” Bianca stated, and Dominic wrapped his hand around her, casting me a disguting look.

My heart wrenched with pain, and my breathing slowed down as my body ached to no end. I should have walked away when Dominic brought Bianca home.

I thought he'd get over her and come back to me-his submissive, tolerating wife. But I realized he was neevr going back so I spent the past year proving myself and my love to him, but he never cared.

He only touched me whenever Bianca wasn't available.

I sobbed softly and then a hand suddenly pulled me from the floor. They led me to the dining table, presenting the food before me.

Bile rose in my throat as anxiety surged through me. I didn't poison the food but Bianca was insisting I eat it.

A part of me wanted to refuse but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to withstand the torture that would come if I refused.

At least if I ate the food, I'd have strength to do some chores before they locked me up.

“You better start eating, we don't have all the time in the world!” Stella's harsh voice stirred me out of my thoughts.

I took the first spoon and it went down my throat with a hard swallow.

My eyes alternated between the plate and the people standing in front of me. And then a sharp pain shot through my stomach, seizing my breath for a second.

I froze.

What was going on?

My stomach knotted harder, and I choked on the contents in my mouth. The pain shooting through me increased, making my eyes water.

“Keep eating!” Bianca ordered and then it dawned on me.

My body shuddered as the pain stabbed me like needles pricking my insides. 

Panic surged through me, “The food..I need water,” I muttered, reaching for the glass of water but Bianca took it away, smirking like a witch. 

My insides were growing hotter.

My baby was in danger.

I sobbed profusely, “Please…My baby. I need the water.” 

“What baby? You're barren!” Bianca snarled and I shook my head violently as words failed me.

“I can't believe you're claiming to be pregnant right now because of the poison. Disgusting,” Dominic huffed, and my shoulders dropped as I crouched over the table.

“Please! My baby! Help me!” I cried, digging my fingers into my stomach as the pain overwhelmed my body, making me shudder violently. 

“You liar! Be quiet!” Stella snapped.

“Baby, let's throw her into the basement right now,” Bianca stated, doting softly on Dominic's chest.

And with that, I was pulled out of the living room. My breaths grew shorter and faster, and my pleas echoed through the walls of the passageway but they fell on deaf ears.

They threw me into the basement and the impact of the fall made my vision blur.

“My…baby,” were the last words I whispered before everything went black.