Ch 3

"Rosemary, enough! Do not make a scene in this house!" Calvin’s voice boomed, cutting her off harshly. His dark eyes gleamed with unmasked intimidation—not a shred of care remained.

He turned away toward the hall, annoyance plain on his face. "Servants! Take Rosemary back to her room now!"

Rosemary let out a hollow, bitter laugh—born of the deepest ruin of her heart. Her chest heaved, straining against the storm of emotion threatening to burst free. Tears streamed down cheeks still flushed from his slap, yet her gaze burned with equal parts grief and loathing.

"Calvin, you are the most despicable man I’ve ever known!" she shrieked, voice raw and shrill. "What do you take me for?! A wooden doll with no feelings?! For three years I loved you truly, and I was nothing but a toy to you! Just you wait… I will make you pay for every cruel thing you’ve done!"

Far from being afraid, Calvin only offered that same arrogant, dismissive smirk. He folded his arms across his chest, looking her up and down with pure mockery.

"You want revenge?" he replied, cold and biting. "Very well. Go ahead. I’ll be waiting to see what kind of vengeance a weak, helpless woman like you could ever hope to carry out!"

He then shifted his gaze to the two middle-aged maids frozen in the doorway, pale and trembling. The tension filling the room had paralyzed them.

"Why are you just standing there?!" Calvin roared, his tone sharp and commanding. "Must I show you how to drag this woman back to her room?!"

One maid stepped forward quickly, head bowed, too afraid to meet her mistress’s blazing eyes.

"Madam… please forgive us. Come… let’s go back to your room now," she whispered, voice trembling, gently taking Rosemary’s arm to lead her away.

Rosemary tried to wrench free, but her strength was spent. As she was led slowly down the hall, she looked back—fixing her gaze on Calvin, still standing there in all his pride.

"Calvin! You damned man! I hate you with every breath I have!" she screamed, pouring out every bit of pain eating away at her.

Calvin ignored her curses. He turned to the head maid standing closest to him, his tone firm, absolute, unyielding.

"Bibi, listen to me carefully," he said, eyes hardening. "Do not let Rosemary do anything foolish that could harm the child she carries! From today onward, every meal must be prepared with the very best nutrition—nothing must interfere with this pregnancy!"

The older woman looked at him with doubt and pity. As a mother herself, she knew well that a mother’s emotional state shaped the life growing inside her.

"But… Sir," she ventured, hesitantly speaking up. "A mother must feel happy and at peace for her baby to grow strong. If Madam remains locked away, under this distress…"

"Do I need to teach you how to care for my wife?!" Calvin cut in sharply, his voice dropping an octave—dangerous, threatening. "Obey my orders and do not presume to give me advice!"

The maid shivered in fear. "Yes, Sir! I understand!"

She hurried to catch up with the others guiding Rosemary. They led their mistress back to the grand bedroom—now nothing more than a cold, isolated prison cell.

The heavy door clicked shut. The sound of the key turning from outside rang out clear and final, sealing Rosemary inside.

"Madam… please be patient. For now, you must stay here, for your own good," the maid said gently, trying to soothe her as she sat weak and defeated on the edge of the white-sheeted bed.

Rosemary looked up, her eyes burning with rage. Breath came in ragged gasps as she struggled to contain the storm within.

"You think I’m some statue, just to obey that devil’s orders?!" she snapped, a bitter, hopeless smile touching her lips. Her hands clenched the bedsheets tight, seeing his face in her mind—the man who had destroyed everything.

She pressed a fist hard against her still-flat stomach, her gaze filled with nothing but venom.

"Just you wait…" she whispered, so cold it sent chills down the maid’s spine. "I’ll make this baby vanish. I will never let this child be born—only to become a tool for that monster’s revenge!"