Chapter 7

Theo flinched a little at Sharon's smile. He was clearly annoyed, but he still tried to keep his cool.

He said to Joanna, "You're not like Sharon. She has her parents' love, and she comes from a wealthy family. She can afford to throw tantrums.

"But you're an orphan. You only have me to rely on. So be a good girl and stay by my side, okay?"

A flicker of jealousy flashed in Sharon's eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. She took on a soft, persuasive tone as she spoke to Joanna.

"I know I used to be spoiled and selfish, and that's probably why you hate me. But I really want to mend our relationship. Ever since I found out you told Theo to come save me from the rooftop, I decided to change things between us.

"I don't want much. Just a little of Theo's love—that's all. You can have the rest. So please, stop being mad at him and don't leave him, okay?"

Theo looked deeply moved. He couldn't believe someone like Sharon, who never tolerated even the smallest slight, would humble herself like this for his sake.

Compared to her, Joanna was just... disappointing.

His expression turned cold. "I've clearly spoiled you too much," he snapped at Joanna. "Someone take her back to her room! She needs time to think things through. She's not allowed to leave unless I say so!"

Then, without a second glance at Joanna, he picked Sharon up and started to walk out.

Sharon wrapped her arms around his neck. "Are you sure this is okay?" she whispered.

Joanna's face had turned completely pale. Her body started to sway, and more blood pooled beneath her.

A few maids came over and roughly yanked her to her feet. But as soon as they noticed the blood on the floor, they let out gasps and instinctively let go.

Joanna collapsed with a dull thud, too weak to stay upright.

Theo snapped in irritation. "What's with all the noise?"

He turned to look, but Sharon grabbed his face and kissed him lightly.

"The maids just tripped over themselves. Don't mind them," she said sweetly. "My foot really hurts. Let's go to the hospital."

She gave the maids a quick look, and they instantly moved to block Joanna from view.

Theo didn't say another word. Holding Sharon in his arms, he hurried out the door.

Once the car drove off, the maids dragged Joanna upstairs. Before Joanna came down, Sharon had already bribed them, so they knew exactly what to do to please her.

One of them yanked on Joanna's hair as the other two grabbed her arms and dragged her up the stairs. When her stomach hit the edge of a step, she trembled in pain.

"Let go of me… or I'll call the police!" she gasped.

A slap landed hard across her face.

"You're gonna call the cops? With what phone?" one of them mocked.

"You're just some cheap side chick Mr. Brook got bored with. You think you deserve our respect? Ha!"

Joanna pushed one of them away as best she could, but the maid kicked her in the face. She tasted blood instantly. It filled her mouth and poured from her nose and lips.

The other two maids, now worried, pulled the attacker back.

But the moment they let go, Joanna lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs.

Outside, Theo had just finished setting Sharon in the car when a sharp pain shot through his chest.

He clutched at his heart, uneasy, and glanced back toward the villa. That was when he heard a loud crash from inside.

Without thinking, he ran back toward the house. This time, Sharon wasn't fast enough to stop him.

He burst into the living room and froze.

Joanna was lying at the bottom of the stairs, her whole body covered in blood. The trail of red ran from the steps to the floor, vivid and jarring.

For a second, it felt like déjà vu, as if he'd seen this nightmare before.

Panic shot through him as he rushed over and cradled her in his arms. Looking at her bloody face, he sensed a fear he'd never felt before taking hold of him.

"Joanna!" he yelled, his voice sharp with desperation.

Joanna stirred, her eyes blinking through the haze. She looked up at him—at the way his jaw trembled with fear—and gave a bitter smile.

"You killed our baby… twice…"