Chapter 4

I didn't know how long I'd been unconscious, but when I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in a hospital bed.

A doctor entered the room and glanced at me before delivering the news in a matter-of-fact tone. "We couldn't save the baby. It'll also be very difficult for you to conceive again."

Tears silently streamed down my face. My baby hadn't even had the chance to develop fully, much less see the world.

I picked up my phone and found dozens of messages from my friends back home.

Clarissa Farber had posted about me on my company's forum in Hilston, accusing me of having an affair with Sebastian. According to her, I'd followed him abroad because I couldn't accept that he was getting married, and I was determined to ruin their upcoming wedding.

The comment section was flooded with insults.

"So that's why she kept saying her boyfriend was overseas! Guess it's easier to be someone's mistress when his actual girlfriend lives in another country!"

"Fire her already! We don't need someone that shameless working here and giving the company a bad name!"

…

Not long afterward, my supervisor contacted me and told me to sort out my personal problems before returning to work.

My chest tightened until I could barely breathe. I was furious and devastated, and all the disappointment I'd endured gradually turned into hatred.

With trembling hands, I began responding to the comments one by one, determined to tell everyone what had really happened.

But minutes later, the entire post had been taken down.

Just then, the door to my hospital room opened, and Sebastian walked in. He was holding a document, and there wasn't a trace of guilt on his face.

"Anna, maybe it's for the best that you lost the baby. Bringing a child into this situation would've been a mistake anyway."

I stared at him, my voice hoarse as I said, "Sebastian, that was your baby, too."

His fingers tightened slightly before he relaxed his hand. Then, he looked away from me and said coldly, "Annabeth, what's done is done. Dragging this out won't do anyone any good. Let's just put this behind us. I'll talk to Clary and make sure she leaves you alone."

I grabbed the cup beside me and hurled it at him. "You bastard!"

Sebastian didn't react. Instead, he tossed the document onto the bed.

"Sign this. It's a liability waiver. You agree not to sue Clary over the miscarriage, and you're not allowed to discuss our personal affairs online. I'll give you some money to help you move on."

I stared at the agreement, unable to believe what I was hearing. "Why would I agree to that? You've ruined my life, and now she's spreading lies about me, too!"

Sebastian leaned forward and grabbed my chin. "So what? Annabeth, you're an orphan. You should know by now that you can't take us on. You're all alone in this country, and nobody here is going to care what happens to you."

He noticed the tears in my eyes and fell silent for a couple of seconds before continuing, "If you won't listen to me, don't expect me to help you anymore."

I stared at him through tear-filled eyes. "So you two can humiliate me all you want, but I'm not allowed to stand up for myself? I'm not letting either of you get away with this!"

Sebastian's expression darkened immediately. He didn't waste another word on me. Instead, he called several bodyguards into the room.

They dragged me out of the hospital bed and shoved me into a car. I'd only just undergone surgery after losing my baby, and I was far too weak to fight them off. Every movement sent excruciating pain through my body, and I stared at Sebastian in disbelief.

"What are you doing? You can't do this! It's illegal—"

"Sign the waiver, and I'll have someone take you back home," he said.

My body trembled as I dug my nails into my palms.

Looking at the man I'd loved for three years, I could hardly recognize him anymore. He was willing to threaten my freedom and even my life to get what he wanted.

With no other choice, I signed the waiver with trembling hands.

The Sebastian I'd once loved was gone for good.

He took the signed document from me before pulling a bank card out of his pocket and tossing it at me.

"There's 200,000 dollars in that account. Consider it payment for all the times you slept with me over the past three years, as well as compensation for the baby. Go home and get on with your life. Don't contact me again."

As the car pulled away, I was too weak to steady myself and slammed into the seat. Blood immediately began streaming from my forehead, but Sebastian didn't even look back.

I forced myself to stay upright despite my weakened condition. Then, when the driver wasn't paying attention, I opened the door and jumped out.

…

A few days later, Sebastian stood beneath the spotlight at his wedding, wearing an expensive suit and holding Clarissa's hand.

The officiant turned to him and asked, "Sebastian Morris, do you take Clarissa Farber to be your wife?"

"I do… Anna."

The entire room fell silent.

Sebastian suddenly snapped out of his daze and looked toward the entrance before rushing off the stage.