Chapter 1

NATALIE’s POV

"Having some vomiting symptoms doesn't mean you’re pregnant, Natalie. I bet it’s just a simple period issue. Don’t worry," My fiancé, Lucas, said casually, supporting me as he patted my back.

I frowned. What did he mean by that, after we were already in the hospital, waiting in line for testing? Why did he think pregnancy—our child—would be something to ‘worry’ about? He knew how much I wanted kids.

Seeing my confusion, Lucas smiled and rubbed my brows. "Don’t think too much about it! I mean, we’ve always been careful."

"But... when you came back from that business trip last month..." I reminded him, my voice tight.

He froze. His expression suddenly went unreadable. "You didn’t take your birth control pills?"

I shook my head. I’d been so busy at work I’d forgotten. "Lucas, we’ve been engaged for a century and I couldn’t wait to see things progress. Wouldn’t it be great if I’m really pregnant? I remember you said you liked kids..." My words trailed off as a sharp pain hit me.

Pain stabbed through my abdomen, searing and relentless. My vision blurred, and I clung to the wall for support.

“How long does a blood test take?!” Lucas snapped at the receptionist. His impatience rattled the room.

He wasn’t helping, and as I tried to straighten, a pitiful yelp escaped me and my legs gave way.

I barely registered Lucas catching me before everything went dark.

When I woke, the harsh smell of antiseptic was the first thing I noticed. I felt an IV in my arm, and my body ached, but the pain had dulled.

Lucas sat nearby, his fingers tapping rapidly on his phone.

“Who are you texting?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

“Ah, you’re awake.” He slipped his phone into his pocket. “It’s work.”

“You were bleeding before,” he said, his tone distant. “But the doctor said it’s nothing serious.”

A sick feeling churned inside me. He didn’t seem worried about the blood. Wasn’t he worried about me?

I opened my mouth to say something, but he cut me off. “He did a pelvic exam, though. I’m sure there’s nothing wrong. You’re probably just overreacting,” he shrugged casually.

His voice was quick, like he wanted to move on.

Before I could respond, the doctor entered. His face was grim, and my heart skipped a beat.

The sterile scent of antiseptic overpowered the oxygen in the room and I unconsciously gripped Lucas’ arm as something in the air shifted.

“Miss Caldwell,” the doctor began, “I’m afraid I don’t have good news…” My breath hitched as he continued:

“You've had a miscarriage, I’m sorry.”

The world tilted. My fingers clenched the sheets while Lucas’ hand slipped from mine.

I heard him exhale—too light, too easy.

Relief?

His hands were already fishing his phone from his pocket, typing something quickly before slipping it back inside.

I blinked, trying to make sense of what had just happened. A cold emptiness settled over me first. I couldn’t help the tears that started falling. “Why did this happen? Did I do something wrong? I didn’t even have a chance to know… that it was there...”

“No, no,” the doctor hurried to reassure me. “Miscarriages are common, especially early on. It’s not your fault. But if you’ve been using emergency contraceptives for a long time, it could have negative effects. We’ll later give you a complete report after all the test results come out…””

His words blurred as he left, but my gaze never left Lucas. He turned to face me, and a tear slipped down my cheek.

“You just need to rest, Natalie. It will be ok,” he said, as though he was a stranger.

“Lucas?” I croaked, my mind shattering at the thought that my fiancé might be relieved we’d just lost our baby.

“Hmm?” he replied distantly, his eyes darting to his breast pocket again.

“Who were you texting?” My voice trembled as I watched his brows lift in irritation.

“Are we seriously doing this again?” he sighed. “I told you, it’s work.”

"Then why do you look so relieved? Who checks work after hearing news like this?"

He scoffed impatiently.

“This is why you lost the baby—you’re always paranoid! It was work, Natalie. You’d know these things if you were a CEO like me.”

Tears flooded my face instantly, the insult and the blame biting.

He sighed again, moving closer, but I instinctively pulled away. He didn’t stop until he was beside me, though, and he gently cupped my chin, tipping my face to his.

"Believe me, this is the darkest day of my life," he murmured, his voice surprisingly soft. "This pain cuts deeper than you know. I’m sorry if I’m not showing it the way you want." His lips brushed the top of my head in a feathery kiss.

But my body was still trembling.

“Hey…I didn’t mean it," he continued, his hands wrapping around me in a tight hug. "It’s just... You’ve been through enough. You can’t keep worrying about something like a work email. Please... You can’t keep doing this."

“You need to rest. Which means no more questions, snatching of phones and getting worried over nothing, ok? Do it for us.” He advised and I nodded my head slowly sinking into his arms, craving support for the turmoil tearing me apart.

The thought of a tiny life once growing inside me crushed my soul.

Lucas held me for a moment more before helping me lay back down, kissing my head as I started to drift off, while clinging to the warmth of his presence.

“I’ll check on you tomorrow,” he said softly, but my eyes snapped open.

"Wait... you’re leaving?" My voice shook as I noticed his phone vibrating in his pocket.

“I had postponed a vital meeting with investors to bring you to the hospital, remember? I need to handle the work and shall be back tomorrow.” He waited for my response, but I couldn’t speak.

I wanted him to stay. I took today off not only for the check-up, but something special—a wedding dress fitting. I want him to come with me.

Maybe when he sees me in the dress, he’ll realize how beautiful I look and finally want to move forward with our marriage.

But before I opened my mouth, a look of impatience already appeared on his face.

Forcing a smile, I nodded in understanding as he kissed my cheek in appreciation and left.

Until twenty minutes passed and my phone unexpectedly rang, jolting me.

Did Lucas change his plans?

I eagerly picked up the phone but as my eyes glanced at the screen, my heart sank.

“Natalie, dear!” My mother’s sharp voice rang out as I accepted the call.

“I need your help, quickly,” she continued, not waiting for me to respond. “Do you have the files for the M Corps merger?”

I could barely speak, my voice hoarse. "Y-Yes, mom..."

She snapped, her irritation palpable. “How many times have I told you not to call me ‘Mom’?”

I flinched, my face stiff as I heard her mutter “so annoying” under her breath.

“Forget it,” she continued, her tone quickly shifting. “Just make sure you never call me mom in front of your sister. Anyway, I need a soft copy of those files. Send them from your computer, now.”

My eyes widened, glancing at the hospital gown I wore. “But I’m—”

“Can you send it or not? ” she queried.

My shoulders fell. Even from a hospital bed, I couldn’t escape her demands.

“Give me a few minutes,” I replied before the line went dead.

I sighed, resigned, and forced myself out of bed. The doctor protested, but I had to do this.

Thirty minutes later, I arrived at the mansion, my legs weak as I unlocked the front door with trembling hands.

The living room lights flicked on silently, and my gaze landed on Lucas’ jacket carelessly tossed over a sofa. My brows furrowed.

As I made my way to our bedroom where my laptop was situated, annoyance started to creep in.

His tie, his socks, his pants… it almost seemed as though he had been undressing as he was walking up the stairs.

My hands had barely touched the doorknob that led to the master bedroom when the door opened wide.

I blinked rapidly, shocked “What are you—“ the question died on my lips the moment she turned her neck and I saw the purple-blue marks.

"Vanessa?" Lucas' husky voice called from the bedroom. My eyes started to blur from the tears as they gathered but just before my vision was completely smeared, I caught her smirk and shock gave way to anger.

Of all the women, why did Lucas have to betray me with Vanessa?