Chapter 3

"Was it you?" I asked, knowing the answer.

Pain gripped my abdomen, and I felt the baby slipping away.

"Dad, I'm scared," Gina cried, wrinkling her nose. "Mom is so mean. I don't like her. Veronica is waiting. Let's go."

Jeff went over to comfort her. Then he shot me a disapproving look. "Why take it out on her? If it were yours, how could Veronica have the patent?"

At the awards ceremony, I had planned to wear this necklace and praise Gina's creativity, but she had betrayed me and ruined it.

Now I was desperate to know what had driven her to help Veronica frame me.

"What did I teach you?" I got out of bed, the discomfort in my abdomen making me gasp, but I forced myself to squat in front of Gina.

Her tearful face softened me. I tried to persuade myself that maybe Veronica had deceived her. She was just too young to understand the adult world.

"Tell your dad that we made this necklace together," I pleaded, staring at her. "Okay?"

She pushed me away, screaming, and threw herself into Jeff's arms. "She is not my mother!"

I hit the ground, pain shooting through me from my tailbone. I needed surgery right away.

Grabbing Jeff's arm, I begged, "I'm miscarrying. Call the doctor!"

But my urgency didn't move him. Instead, he frowned. "You've gotten addicted to acting. Why don't you just switch careers and become an actress?"

He picked up Gina with one arm and gently patted her back. "Don't be afraid. I'm here with you."

Turning back to me, he spat, "You're a disappointment. Veronica is letting this go for Gina's sake. Don't push it."

Blood had already started to seep from me. The red gown I was wearing was stained. "I'm bleeding, Jeff. I'm not lying."

He kicked me away. "How am I supposed to believe you? Can't you even be a good example for Gina?"

Ignoring my pleas, he walked out with Gina.

I put my hand down and felt a pool of blood beneath me. I still didn't know when Gina gave the necklace to Veronica, but finding a doctor was more urgent.

Struggling to stand, I leaned on the doorframe and looked out.

Jeff was walking away without hesitation, while Gina, the daughter I had pampered for seven years, was sticking her tongue out and making faces at me.

Caught by me, she didn't flinch. Instead, she hugged Jeff's neck and smirked triumphantly.

In her game, I lost completely.

I wiped away my tears, but the sourness in my nose reminded me that Gina didn't love me.

I swallowed the bitterness and tried to find the doctor.

This was a high-end ward of a private hospital, so I presumed the doctor was in the office.

I staggered forward, sweat dripping down my face. Even though my husband and daughter were just ahead, I had no choice but to look for the doctor myself.