Chapter 3

My wrist was yanked backward. Before I could react, I was pulled violently into Liam's chest.

He wrapped his arms around me, holding me in an iron grip. Hot tears spilled from his eyes, dripping onto my face.

"Chloe... you're right here in my arms, but why do you feel miles away?"

He buried his face in the crook of my neck, his voice desperate.

"Let's... let's have a baby. A boy or a girl. Once we have a child of our own, you won't leave me."

I kept my eyes down. I didn't react at all.

Seeing my utter coldness, panic flickered in the depths of his eyes.

I had once been pregnant with his child. I had been so filled with joy, waiting for that child to enter the world.

Then Serena fell ill. She urgently needed a blood transfusion.

Liam didn't even ask. He forced me to have my blood drawn.

I lost the baby that night.

While I lay alone on a freezing hospital bed, my biological parents never left Serena's side.

Liam only popped into my room for a brief minute.

"Chloe, we're still young. We can always have another baby later!

"I need to check on Serena first. Wait for me!"

I never saw his face again until the day I was discharged.

The memories rushed back, but the ache in my chest had long gone numb.

Then, the heavy scent of Serena's perfume hit my nose. It coiled around me like a viper.

My stomach churned violently. I jerked my head away and began to heave.

Liam went rigid. His arms slowly slid off me.

"What's wrong? Do you need to go to the hospital?!"

I stayed silent. A suffocating stillness filled the room.

"I... this baby really was an accident," he stammered, trying to explain.

"I wanted her to get an abortion. But... the doctor said this might be Serena's only chance to ever have a child!"

I nodded slowly. "I believe you," I said softly.

I looked up into his eyes. "My period started today. You should go spend time with her instead."

That single sentence set off his anger.

Liam's face turned grim. Then his eyes caught the packed luggage sitting near the closet.

"Chloe, you're planning to run away again, aren't you?!"

His voice turned cold and cruel.

"You better think carefully about it because of Madam Rachel. Can you handle the consequences if you leave?"

I didn't argue. I offered him a small, faint smile.

"I won't leave..."

Before he could respond, the bedroom door was slammed open.

My mother marched in, her face flushed with rage.

"Chloe! Why did you put peanut powder in Serena's soy milk?!"

She glared at me. "She's severely allergic to peanuts! Are you trying to kill her?!"

I raised my gaze. "I didn't."

"Still lying!" my mother barked. "The maid explicitly said you prepared the morning drinks!"

My father stepped into the room right behind her. He raised his hand and slapped me across the face.

The blow turned my head. My cheek burned with searing pain.

"Raised in a trailer park, no manners at all!" my father spat. "Using dirty tricks just to fight for attention!"

Beside them, Serena clutched her stomach. Her eyes were red, her voice trembling with weakness.

"Mom, Dad... maybe Chloe didn't mean to do it..."

She whimpered softly, "Even if she did... it's normal that she can't stand me or the baby..."

Suddenly, her face became drained of all color.

"It hurts... my stomach... the baby..."

Liam lost his mind instantly. He scooped Serena up into his arms, his heart racing with panic.

"Serena, don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you or the baby..."

He carried her out the door, whispering frantically, "Remember? We promised to take our kid to concerts together. We're going to be the coolest parents..."

My heart felt completely dead. It didn't even hurt anymore.

Only the stinging pain on my face reminded me that I ought to be crying.

Right then, my phone chimed.

It was Sarah, my personal assistant, calling.

"Chloe, the tickets are booked."

"The contracts with the Vance Group are signed as well. Mr. Vance guaranteed that he will personally ensure you and Madam Rachel arrive safely in Seattle in three days."

My fingers trembled slightly. That was good. In three days, I would cut all ties with them forever.

As soon as I hung up, Madam Rachel's nurse, Ms. Thompson, called. Her voice was trembling with panic.

"Mrs. Jackson, it's terrible! Madam Rachel's condition has taken a sudden turn for the worse! But all the specialists in the ICU have been pulled away by Mr. Jackson!"