Chapter 2

A sharp, blinding pain shot through my head, like a rope being pulled tight around my skull. I shouted, "What are you doing? Put her down right now!"

The extreme tearing I had suffered during the difficult childbirth, which had required dozens of stitches, sent shooting pain through my lower body. I knew the wound had definitely reopened. However, there was no time to dwell on it.

Ignoring the blinding pain, I staggered forward and lunged at Yasmin Holden. Victoria's cries filled the room, piercing and frantic, just as Yasmin let out a shrill scream.

Suddenly, the door to my hospital room burst open. Tristan stormed in and crossed the distance in a few quick strides before kicking me aside.

He pulled Yasmin into his arms and asked, "Yas, are you okay? Are you hurt? Bridget, I knew it! You agreed to the divorce too easily because you were obviously planning something! So, this is what you've been waiting to do!"

I clutched Victoria tightly as Tristan's kick sent us flying several feet. My back slammed hard against the wall, forcing a painful groan from my throat.

Meanwhile, the woman in Tristan's protective embrace trembled against his chest, crying while holding her stomach. Yet, her face showed a smug smile directed at me.

Yasmin explained between sobs, "Professor Barnes, I got up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night and happened to pass by Mrs. Barnes' room when I heard the baby crying. I thought I shouldn't disturb Mrs. Barnes' rest, so I took it upon myself to come in and help soothe the baby...

"But Mrs. Barnes suddenly accused me of ruining her marriage with you and threatened to push me and my baby out the window!"

Tristan believed every word Yasmin said and stared at me in utter disbelief. Before I could explain, he scooped Yasmin up in his arms. "I should have known all along—you're completely vicious and cold-hearted! Someone like you doesn't deserve to use my money for postpartum care. You belong on the streets!"

With those words, he carried Yasmin out of my hospital room. Victoria continued crying in my arms, but Tristan never once asked about her.

Before I could react, a group of security guards burst into the room, restrained me, and threw me out of the hospital. The frigid night air made my wound sting unbearably while Victoria's screams had faded to hoarse, pitiful whimpers. My blood was pooling beneath us, dripping onto the ground beneath me.

I had planned to go to the emergency room to have my wound stitched up before figuring out what to do next. However, this private hospital was half-owned by Tristan, and the security guards had already posted my photo at the entrance with large letters stating: "This person is banned from receiving treatment at this facility!"

It was still the middle of the night with very few cars passing by, and the rare cabs that did come avoided me when they saw the blood soaking through my clothes.

With no other choice, I wrapped myself tightly in my hospital gown and carried Victoria five miles through the dark streets to the nearest public hospital, where they stitched me up again.

The morning after the surgery, I sent a resignation email to the college. Then, I dialed a number I knew by heart. "Rowan, about that project you mentioned... I'm in."