Chapter 2

Vivian's pov

The moment I opened my eyes, the harsh blinding lights of the intensive care unit burned my sight. I shut my eyes immediately and slowly opened them, taking in the lights slowly.

My head throbbed, and the sharp, sterile smell of bleach and medicine made my stomach turn. I tried to make out where I was. I wasn't sure yet but as soon as the quiet, rhythmic beep filled the room, I had an idea of where I was.

I tried to move, but my whole body felt sore and heavy. Then, I remembered the cold pavement and the rain washing the blood away slowly. The memory all came back.

"My baby," I croaked, my throat feeling like dry sandpaper. I placed a hand over my stomach, "Where is my baby?" I cried out.

A nurse stepped over to my bedside with her face full of pity. She pointed toward a glass box at the side of the room.

I looked instantly to where her finger pointed to.

Inside the plastic incubator was a tiny, fragile human being...my daughter!

I'd given birth already! But it was just twenty-nine weeks, and she wasn't supposed to come now.

"We had to perform an emergency surgery in order to save your daughter, ma'am." The nurse informed me.

I swallowed, my eyes still on my daughter's small form. She looked like she barely weighed two pounds. There were tubes running in and out of her tiny body, helping her breathe.

"She is fighting hard, Ma'am," the nurse whispered gently. "But she was born much too early. The doctors say she might not make it through the night."

Hot and bitter tears trickled down my cheeks, I reached out a trembling hand toward the glass box, but I was too weak to sit up.

*****

For two whole days, I laid in that cold, lonely room, listening to the steady beep of my baby's heart monitor, praying with every breath for her to survive. For forty-eight hours, nobody came.

Even though I'd caught Adrian cheating on me the night of our third anniversary, I still hoped he cared for me. I still waited for him to call or look for me at least.

But his call never came, he never visited, it didn't bother him if I was alive or not.

On the morning of the third day, the television mounted on the hospital wall that seemed like it had never been turned on, hummed to life.

Just in that moment, a news reporter's bright voice broke the silence of the room.

"In major business news today, Lancaster Enterprises has officially joined forces with Monroe Global!"

I turned my head toward the screen. There was Adrian, wearing a crisp black suit, standing under flashbulbs and cameras. He was smiling warmly, shaking hands with Bernard Monroe, Celeste's billionaire father.

Sitting right beside them, looking proud and elegant, was Celeste herself. On her wrist, the silver blessing bracelet caught the light of the cameras.

The news anchor continued, "Sources say this massive deal was months in the making, saving Adrian Lancaster's company from collapse."

A cold realization washed over me, numbing the pain in my body.

My entire three-year marriage had been a lie. Adrian didn't marry me because he loved me, I was just a temporary placeholder and someone to keep his bed warm, to hold his company together until he could secure the Monroe family's billions.

Just then, the door to my room clicked open and Adrian walked in, looking immaculate.

His dark hair was neatly styled and his suit was ironed to the point that there was not a single wrinkle on it.

My heart sank into my stomach, the memory from last night completely disappeared the moment his expensive cologne clogged the air in the room.

He should have known that I'd given birth to our baby girl, yet he brought no flowers, not even a stuffed animal for his child.

He didn't glance at the glass incubator where his daughter laid, struggling for her life.

He just walked straight to the edge of my bed, adjusted his silver cufflinks, and looked down at me. His eyes were totally devoid of any emotions.

I searched for the words to confront him about who I'd seen him with last night but I couldn't bring myself to do it because I thought he was here to apologize.

"Did the rich investors call your grandfather's foundation yet?" he asked flatly.

The last bit of hope I clung onto shattered.

He couldn't even ask how I was! After all that he had put me through, he couldn't apologise for standing me up and leaving me to bleed out in the cold street. The only thing he thought about was money!.

I stared up at him. In that single, quiet second, the last tiny spark of love I had for Adrian Lancaster died. The woman who had loved him, forgiven his long hours, and searched three countries for his gift was gone.

"No," I answered, my voice was steady and empty of any emotion. "They didn't."

Adrian clicked his tongue in annoyance, checking his expensive gold watch. "Unbelievable. Make sure you call your grandfather today, Vivian. We need that money to finalize the merger."

Without waiting for me to answer, he turned on his heel and walked toward the exit.

The sheer effrontery he had to walk in here without apologizing after betraying my trust.

Hot tears stung my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

I stared at the door for a long moment, my eyes stone-cold and clear. I reached over to the bedside table, picked up my phone, and pressed the top contact on my speed dial.

The line rang twice before a deep, strong voice answered.

"Vivian, my sweet child? Is everything alright?"

"Grandpa," I said softly, my voice sharper and stronger than it had ever been before. "I need you to help my daughter disappear.”