Chapter 3

"Madam Stella is already up, and you still have the nerve to sleep?"

Stefan's assistant, Lukas, snapped a chain around my neck and yanked it hard, hoisting me up into the air and on my feet.

I was dragged to the front door.

Every time Stella went shopping, I had to be there beside her, ready to serve at a moment's notice.

"Get in!" Lukas pushed me into the car.

Before I could even sit down, Stella frowned. "Honey, she reeks like a dead rat."

Stefan scowled and kicked me out of the car. "Get lost. You're making Stella feel unwell."

"But honey, I wanted to buy a new outfit for her."

Stefan pinched Stella's nose fondly. "You're too kind for your own good." He turned to me. "Sonia, run behind the car. Don't vampires have good stamina?"

I didn't dare talk back. I just ran after the car.

The sunlight burned my bare skin. Blisters formed, burst, bled, and healed over again.

Inside the car, Stella giggled, "Sonia looks so pretty when she runs. If only she could run a little faster, she'd look even prettier."

As she said that, the engine roared and the car suddenly accelerated.

I couldn't keep up.

My body was dragged across the rough asphalt, the pain of torn skin and flesh flooding my senses.

When they finally got out, they didn't even look at me.

I ran after them.

"Where's Liam? Why isn't he back yet?" I asked.

Stella beamed smugly. "If you want to see him so badly, go ahead. The circus is that way." She pointed in another direction. "But if we go to the circus, I won't have time for the jewelry store."

Stefan turned and slapped me across the face. "That freak is learning tricks at the circus. It's a good opportunity for him. Why should he ruin Stella's plans?"

He yanked the chain around my neck and dragged me away again.

-

It wasn't until nightfall that they finally allowed me to go see Liam.

In the center of the flames, my child, battered and bruised, was forcing his tiny body through one burning hoop after another.

The moment he saw me, his strength gave out. "Mom, it hurts–"

I rushed toward him but was stopped by two burly men.

"Not bad. The little brat's been going at it all day and night. He's still alive."

My heart shattered. "How could you? He's just a child!"

Stefan finally spoke. "Let Liam rest."

The beast trainer begrudgingly put out the flames.

Liam collapsed into my arms. He was burning up and barely breathing.

"Mom, you finally came."

"He needs to go to the hospital! Stefan, please, I'm begging you!"

Stefan was just about to speak when Stella clutched her stomach.

"Honey, my stomach hurts so much."

Without a word, Stefan swept her into his arms and rushed off.

I held my dying son and tried to flag down passing cars, but no one would stop for a blood-stained woman.

I had no choice but to run to the nearest hospital, asking for directions along the way.

-

When Liam was wheeled out of the emergency department, his body was hooked up to countless tubes.

I overheard the nurses whispering.

"How could a kid end up like this?"

"God knows what kind of mother she is."

I lowered my head and listened silently as the doctor gave me a grim update. Liam was in critical condition and not yet out of danger.

I took his small, blistered hand in mine.

Liam slowly opened his eyes. "Mom, don't cry. I'm okay."

Just then, Stefan called.

"Get to the maternity ward. Stella's having a miscarriage!"

Liam's eyes lit up. "Is Dad coming to see me?"

My heart was torn apart. I gently stroked his forehead. "Be good, Liam. I'll be right back."

-

Outside the maternity ward, one of Stella's maids pointed at me and shrieked.

"It's her! She drank Madam Stella's blood and nearly killed the baby!"

Stefan was furious. He slapped me hard. "You filthy thing! You even went after my child?"

I shook my head to explain, but he grabbed my throat and squeezed.

"You cut into her collarbone last time, and now you drink her blood? You wretch! Does it bother you that much to see us happy?"

He beat me mercilessly. I curled up on the floor and dared not dodge.

The nurses stood by, cold and indifferent. No one stood up for a vampire.

Suddenly, I received an alert on my phone about Liam's vitals.

I struggled to get to my feet. "Liam! I have to see him!"

Stefan sneered and kicked me down again. "Who do you think you are? What makes you think you can leave?"

Just then, an elderly man with gray hair walked into the room. I recognized him instantly. He was a renowned vampire doctor. Stella had gone to great lengths to bring him here.

He didn't even glance at me as he went straight to Stella's bedside.

After a brief examination, he made a grave pronouncement.

"The fetus is in critical danger. It requires an extraordinary remedy."

Stella opened her eyes weakly. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Please save my baby. I can't lose him."

Stefan panicked and gripped her hand tightly. "Whatever it takes, we'll do it!"

A strange gleam appeared in the doctor's eyes. "Only the heart's blood of a vampire child can save this fetus."

The room fell dead silent.

In that instant, I felt hopeless.

"No! Liam is just a boy. He's already so weak!" I screamed, falling to my knees in desperation. "Stefan, please. He's your son!"

Stefan stared coldly at me. "Vampires heal fast. Drawing a little blood won't kill him."

He waved for someone to bring Liam in.

I went wild, throwing myself at the door, but the bodyguards pinned me down.

"No! Please! He'll die!"

Stella cried pitifully from the bed. "Sonia, it's just a bit of blood. You'd really rather see my baby die?"

Stefan only saw her fragility and pain. "Don't worry, Stella. I'll take care of it. Sonia, you heartless monster. You don't deserve to be a mother!"

They dragged me away. My fingernails scraped against the floor and left bloody trails.

-

I was made to watch. They sliced open Liam's chest with a scalpel. His tiny heart was exposed to the air.

I bit down on my lip so hard blood came out.

The twisted doctor sneered and sliced a chunk from Liam's heart.

The monitor flatlined.

Beeeeeeep.

Liam closed his eyes forever.

"Stefan! You killed your own son!" I screamed.

He slapped me again. "Stop pretending! Vampires don't die that easily!"

Stella said softly, "Honey, as long as our baby is safe, that's all that matters."

Just then, the door slammed open.

A woman with long hair stood in the doorway.

It was Stefan's missing sister, Keira. He had been searching for her for seven years.

"Brother, have you gone insane?!"

Stefan stood frozen in shock. "Keira? You're alive?"