Chapter 1

[Eloise's Point of View.]

Before Vincent Hartwell left, he emphasized once again, "Madison likes mild food. Remember to cater to her palate.

"When you go into her room, make sure you're quiet. She values her peace and doesn't like being disturbed."

I had not heard Vincent say this many words in a long time. Ever since Madison Laurent appeared in our lives, his conversations with me never exceeded five words.

I listened with a blank expression, the light in my eyes dimming further.

He tossed a globally limited edition bag onto the couch carelessly.

"Madison is kindhearted and won't hold grudges, but you must apologize to her properly. This is your compensation."

I stared at the bag for a long time, my tone devoid of emotion. "Vincent, Mom is dead, and it's because of us. She was so upset that it killed her."

His hand paused as he loosened his tie, then he laughed softly. "Eloise, you've been spouting more and more nonsense lately. She came to see you three days ago and looked perfectly healthy, didn't she?"

Before I could respond, he turned and walked toward the door. As he passed me, his steps halted. "Don't blame me for being cruel. If you want to blame somebody, blame your own useless body."

Then, he pinched my tear-stained face and chuckled lightly, his tone casual. "Be good and obedient. Once she has the baby, everything that belongs to you will come back to you."

After those words, he turned and left. The moment the door closed, the pregnancy report I clutched in my hand fluttered to the floor.

I did not come back to myself until the butler knocked on the door.

"Ms. Stern, the car is ready."

To please Madison, Vincent had ordered all the servants to call her Mrs. Hartwell, while I, who once kissed him beneath the church archway, was reduced to 'Ms. Stern'.

I ignored him and began packing up my mother's belongings. Before long, the door was forced open, and several bodyguards physically shoved me into the car.

When I was pushed out at the villa, Madison took one look at my disheveled appearance and laughed mockingly.

She threw a menu at me. "I want to eat these things tonight. Deliver them to my room within an hour."

I stared at the menu on the ground for a long time, then picked it up and walked toward the kitchen.

Madison froze, clearly not expecting this reaction from me. After all, just yesterday I had angrily slapped her across the face.

However, she did not know that I completely gave up on Vincent the moment my mother's heart stopped beating.

He had taken away the last person I loved. I only wanted to endure these final three days, then disappear from his life entirely.

I prepared the dishes according to the menu, but Madison barely took a few bites before she clutched her stomach and vomited violently.

Less than ten minutes later, Vincent rushed back home. He shoved me aside roughly, scooped Madison into his arms, and ran out.

Outside the treatment room, the doctor said Madison was allergic to seafood and was receiving emergency care. However, the menu she gave me clearly included several seafood dishes.

Vincent whipped around to face me.

"Didn't I tell you she can't eat seafood? If anything happens to my child, I'll never forgive you!"

With a wave of his hand, he summoned the butler, Jason Smith. "Throw this woman in the garden and don't let her out without my permission!"

I instinctively covered my stomach. I had a severe pollen allergy.

When Vincent first pursued me, he sent a truckload of roses, and I collapsed and went unconscious on the spot.

Back then, he pounded the wall in regret until his knuckles bled. From that day forward, no flowers ever touched any room in the house except the garden.

However, now...

At that moment, I suddenly lost the energy to explain. I only said softly, "Vincent, I'm pregnant. If you do this, the baby will die."

Vincent smiled, full of mockery. "Eloise, we all know about your condition. If you keep joking about being pregnant, you can forget about getting out for the rest of your life."

After he spoke, the bodyguards moved toward me, but I raised my hand to stop them. I followed them of my own accord.

Vincent's body stiffened when he saw the look in my eyes as I left. He instinctively took a step forward, but just then, the doctor pushed open the door.

He immediately turned around. His furrowed brow only relaxed when he heard that Madison's baby was fine.

He comforted Madison inside the hospital room. At the same time, I collapsed on the garden lawn, my body convulsing as cold sweat poured from me.

A piercing pain shot through my stomach. My vision grew increasingly blurred.

The roses bloomed brilliantly. Those flowers that once symbolized love were now witnessing love's death.

I did not know how much time passed before the gate slowly opened. The man I had loved for so many years rushed toward me urgently.