Chapter 2

Chase looked startled. "Zander has feelings for you. He won't just let you…

"Forget it. I won't try to change your mind. Julia's birthday is coming up in a few days. Zander will be too busy throwing her a big celebration to pay any attention to you.

"Listen to me. Wait until then and make your escape."

Zander would never simply let go of a wife who was as obedient and compliant as Eloise.

Eloise nodded and thanked him. She then slowly made her way out, exhausted and weak.

The moment she stepped out of the main hall, she saw Zander standing at the covered walkway. He was talking to Julia. "I told them to go easy on Eloise. Her baby will be fine."

Tears welled up in Eloise's eyes again.

When Zander first learned she was pregnant, there had been a flicker of joy in his usually cold, distant eyes. He had rested his head against her belly to listen for the baby's movements. He had eagerly guessed whether they were having a boy or a girl and even discussed what they should name the baby.

He had even made sure to tell his men to go easy on her before she was punished, all because of the baby.

Eloise desperately wanted to ask him if he would be sad if he knew the baby had already been killed by the tonic Julia gave her.

But before she could say a word, Zander spoke again, "You get lonely sometimes. Once the baby is born, I'll have it keep you company."

Julia glanced past his shoulder at Eloise, a smug look flashing across her eyes. "How could you possibly do that… Eloise, why do you look so upset?"

Zander stiffened and turned to meet Eloise's eyes.

Her eyes that had once been filled with love were now filled with nothing but pain. Trembling, Eloise asked, "You want to give my baby to her?"

So, was that why he cared so much about her baby? He was planning to give their baby to Julia after she gave birth, just to keep her company?

"Eloise, I…"

Zander immediately tried to explain, but he then noticed her sunken stomach. His face immediately darkened. "Where's the baby?"

"She must've lost it when she was being punished." Julia sighed. "Eloise, I know you're upset, but you shouldn't have refused to see a doctor just to spite us. Now that the baby is gone, you'll be the one to blame!"

Zander's stern gaze settled on Eloise, waiting for her to do what she had done countless times before whenever she made a mistake—rush to defend and explain herself.

But Eloise only said in her hoarse voice, "The baby was never meant to be born."

Her attitude angered Zander, and his tone grew even colder. "Never meant to be born? Fine. You've made yourself very clear, Eloise! You failed to protect the baby. According to the family rules, you deserve a severe punishment.

"Cade, take her outside. Make her get down on her knees!"

Zander's bodyguard, Cade Lane, answered and roughly dragged Eloise to the front gate of the Pierson residence before kicking her behind the knee.

She grunted and collapsed to her knees. Her wounds were still throbbing with pain. Cold sweat kept pouring down her face, quickly soaking through her clothes.

Eloise had no idea how long she had been on her knees when Julia walked over to her, smiling as she shook her head and clicked her tongue. "Oh, how pitiful. I tried to talk Zander out of punishing you, but he insisted you needed to learn a lesson.

"Do you know why I got rid of your baby even though Zander planned to give it to me? Because I want to have a child of my own with him…"

The provocation in her voice was unmistakable.

Eloise closed her eyes and endured the pain, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do whatever you want."

Julia's smile vanished when she failed to get the reaction she wanted. She slapped Eloise hard across the face. "I hate how you act so innocent when you're occupying the place that's supposed to be mine!"

The blow sent Eloise sprawling onto the ground. Her cheek quickly swelled, and the corner of her mouth bled.

Then came another slap.

And another…

Eloise's face soon became badly swollen. She tried to fight back, but Cade pinned her down. Through the excruciating pain, she saw Zander standing a short distance away.

Zander's assistant, Robert Brown, looked uneasy. "Mr. Pierson, Ms. Sinclair has no reason to be treating her like this. It's against the rules…"

Zander fell silent for a moment. Then, he said, "Julia has always resented Eloise for marrying me. If she needs to vent, let her. Forget about the rules."

Forget about the rules…

As the agony consumed Eloise, memories of the past flooded her mind.

Once, she had talked back to Julia, and she was forced to copy the Pierson family rules 99 times.

Another time, the coffee she poured for Julia was just slightly too hot, and she was punished by having boiling water poured over her wrist.

The Pierson family's rules were absolute. As Zander's wife, Eloise couldn't afford even the smallest mistake. But now, she realized those rules had only ever applied to someone he didn't love. Julia could do whatever she wanted.

Eloise had spent five years trying so hard. What a fool she'd been!

Another slap landed across Eloise's face.

She coughed up blood, her vision fading in and out.

Just then, someone rushed forward and shielded her. "Don't hit my sister!"