Chapter 4

Elijah's POV

I woke up three days later.

After examining me, the doctor remarked in amazement, "You've got an incredible will to live. You've come back from the brink of death several times now."

I could only manage a bitter smile. To stay by Sinead's side, having an indomitable will to pull through life-and-death situations was a basic requirement for survival.

But before I could ask about anything else, the doctor received a message and hurriedly left.

I followed him, never expecting that he was going to see Sinead.

The doctor told her, "Ms. Powell, you're three months pregnant, but the pregnancy isn't progressing well. You're showing signs of a possible miscarriage. You must avoid overexerting yourself from now on."

I froze in shock and stared at Sinead's still-flat stomach.

Three months ago, Sinead had gone head-to-head with her opponents in a fierce round of corporate negotiations and emerged victorious. That very night, she had come to my room and passionately pulled me into a kiss.

At the last possible moment, she had slipped a pill into my hand. It was a birth control pill.

Sinead didn't want to risk having my child. As the contraceptives available to women would have caused negative health effects to her body, I was the one who had to take them instead.

However, I'd been suffering from a high fever caused by my injuries that night. When I was delirious and barely conscious, I must have spat the pill back out.

My heart clenched at that memory. This child had come at the worst possible time.

I frowned as I heard Sinead instruct the doctor, "Not a word of this to anyone."

The doctor nodded.

After a brief pause, she asked, "How is he doing?"

I thought she was asking about me, but the doctor replied, "Mr. White only suffered a few minor abrasions on his hands. He's going to be fine."

Sinead asked a few more questions, but she never mentioned me once.

A wave of sorrow washed over me.

I remembered the time I'd taken a bullet while carrying out an assignment for her. I'd been unconscious and hovering between life and death. Back then, Sinead had stayed by my bedside for seven days and didn't sleep a wink.

When I finally woke up, she hadn't said a word about it. But from then on, she always appeared at my bedside during the night whenever I fell ill.

Nevertheless, it didn't matter anymore. I was going to leave anyway. This child and I were simply never meant to be.

I stopped listening and returned to my room. Then, I went straight to the nurses' station and arranged to be discharged.

I had no idea what awaited me when I returned to the Powell estate.

The moment I stepped into the courtyard, I was confronted by a horrifying sight. Sammie was kneeling on the ground, and it was unclear if she was still alive. A huge patch of skin had been torn from her back.

"Sammie!" A scream of anguish tore from my throat.

I rushed forward and kicked away the man who had been peeling off her skin. Then, I dropped to my knees and tried to lift her with my trembling hands.

Her head hung limply. She struggled to open her eyes and look at me.

She called out weakly, "Elijah…"

Tears streamed down my face as I said, "Don't be afraid. I'll get you to a doctor right now!"

I rose to my feet, but a cold voice stopped me in my tracks. "You're not taking her anywhere."

I looked up. Sinead stood a short distance away, with Wesley standing beside her, holding Lucky. A tailor stood nearby, sweating profusely.

He was taking Lucky's measurements, while one of the bodyguards held up a piece of skin that had been torn from Sammie's back.

They were using Sammie's skin to make clothes for the dog!

"I've already paid the price. Why are you still hurting Sammie?" I clenched my fists tightly, my eyes bloodshot as I stared at Sinead.

She knew Sammie was my junior. Sammie had even taken a bullet for her once and saved her life when she was in mortal danger.

And yet, Sinead spoke as casually as if she were discussing the weather. "Sammie disrespected Wesley. She deserved to be punished."

I yelled, "Punished? We're not your slaves! I stayed by your side only because I owed you a debt of gratitude. What more do you want from me? What more do you want?"

At that moment, I completely lost control. I screamed until my throat felt raw.

"How much was that outfit worth? I'll pay you back every last cent! Can't you leave us alone? It's just a piece of clothing for a dog!"

Wesley retreated behind Sinead, pretending to be frightened.

Sinead frowned, and her expression hardened. "What kind of attitude is that?"

I had no intention of arguing with her anymore. Ignoring the frosty look on her face, I carefully lifted Sammie to her feet and tried to walk away with her.

"Stop!" Sinead commanded.

The next second, dozens of bodyguards blocked my path. Without saying a word, I lowered Sammie back to the ground and charged at them.

But as Sinead continued issuing orders, more and more bodyguards joined in. I was already exhausted, so my strength was rapidly failing me.

Suddenly, I saw Sinead clutch her abdomen and retreat slightly, seemingly afraid of getting hurt. As the thought of our baby flashed through my mind, I turned aside and took two steps back instead of prolonging the fight that might hurt her.

I couldn't afford to waste any more time. Sammie couldn't hold on much longer.

I turned, my gaze burning as I fixed my eyes on Wesley, who was being shielded by Sinead. By the time Sinead realized something was wrong, I'd already charged forward and swung a fist at Wesley's face.

My punch was a fraction too late. Or rather, someone had stepped in to block it.

My fist was about to strike Sinead's cheek when I instinctively pulled back at the last moment, holding back most of my strength. Her head still turned to the side from my softened blow. Right away, her cheek swelled and turned red.

She had taken the punch meant for Wesley.

A dull thud echoed as an iron rod smashed into my head. I collapsed in stunned disbelief. The last thing I saw before I passed out was Sinead casting an indifferent glance in my direction.