Chapter 3

Samantha cursed Daniel continuously for nearly half an hour after seeing his text message.

She stared at me, her eyes filled with frustration and heart-wrenching anger.

"If your mother were still alive, you would drive her straight into an early grave."

I looked down, my voice barely a whisper. "The lawyer is already drafting the paperwork. I won't leave a single penny on the table."

Samantha let out a heavy sigh.

"Focus on checking into the hospital tomorrow. Your health comes first. I’ll pay for it, just consider it a loan."

I gave a faint nod, my cheeks burning like fire.

Embarrassed, humiliated, and utterly broken.

---

That afternoon, Samantha accompanied me back to the house to gather the documents I needed for my hospital admission.

My lower legs were swollen from walking. I was sitting on the couch massaging them when Daniel walked in.

He was holding a brand-new foldable pet stroller. Chloe followed right behind him.

The very first words out of his mouth were, "Hand over the original source files for the new design to Chloe."

I raised my head. "What did you say?"

His tone remained smooth and unbothered.

"This is Chloe's first time leading a major project. She just needs an opportunity. Consider it your formal apology for spouting nonsense in the company group."

My hands froze against my ankles.

Samantha leaped to her feet, practically trembling with rage. "Daniel, your nerve is unbelievable!"

She pointed directly at the stroller in his hand, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"The biggest client your firm has was secured entirely by Nora's designs, putting you on the map in top commercial circles!

“Now you're stealing her work again to pave the way for another woman?

"What, you didn't come empty-handed this time? Planning to trade a baby stroller for her life's work?"

Daniel frowned with deep impatience. "This is between Nora and me. It has nothing to do with outsiders."

Chloe chimed in from the side, trying to explain.

"Nora, please don't misunderstand! Daniel bought this for Buster. My dog is getting old and can't walk long distances anymore.

"If you need a stroller for the baby, you can just ask Daniel to buy you one."

Buster. Her dog.

Staring at the luxury brand logo stamped on the pet stroller, I found the situation sickeningly absurd.

Two weeks ago, I submitted three separate requests just to buy a thirty-dollar stroller for my unborn child.

Three requests. All rejected.

The reasons cited were non-essential, excessive spending, and exceeding budget.

The tragic part was that when I first saw him walk in carrying that stroller, a tiny, foolish part of me actually harbored a sliver of hope.

I looked at Daniel, my throat so dry it burned.

"What color priority did her dog's stroller get approved under?"

He paused for a fraction of a second. "That's completely different. Stop being unreasonable."

"How is it different?

"Chloe only has her dog for company, and she's your former classmate! Can you stop obsessing over these pointless details?"

Looking at his completely unbothered face, I couldn't bring myself to say another word.

I leaned against the armrest and slowly stood up. "Samantha, let's go."

Before I could take two steps, a hand clamped down tightly on my wrist.

Daniel's tone softened slightly, sounding as if he were making a grand concession.

"Nora, if you hand over the source files right now, I'll book you a private suite at the hospital immediately. You can stay there until you give birth.

"And whatever you need for the baby, you can put in a request."

He paused, adding a coaxing edge to his voice: "I'll let them process it under Orange Priority."

Chloe chimed in quickly, "I promise I won't hold up your approvals!"

Samantha's chest heaved with fury. Just as she was about to step forward, I put a hand out to stop her.

I looked him dead in the eye and offered a quiet reminder. "Daniel, this is your child."

"It's precisely because it's my child that I'm agreeing to let you get admitted weeks early."

A sudden, sharp contraction seized my lower abdomen, making me double over in pain.

Daniel didn't notice my agony, he just stood there obstinately, waiting for my compliance.

Seeing my distress, Samantha stepped in, pried his grip off my wrist, and supported me with reddened eyes.

I raised my head and delivered every single syllable clearly, "I will not give her the source files. And I will still check into the hospital."

With that, I turned around and slowly walked out.

Daniel's cold voice echoed behind me. "Nora Underwood, don't push my limits. Otherwise, you'll end up crawling back to beg me.”