Chapter 2

Right as the world started to fade, Daniel's grip loosened.

"Get lost!"

Noemi hit the floor with a thud.

She gasped for air, coughing like her chest was about to explode.

Daniel didn't flinch—just pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his hands like she was dirt.

Then came the heat. Her nose burned, then bled—fast. Thick, dark red, with a sharp pain stabbing through her skull.

She wiped at her face, hand coming away soaked in blood.

Panicking, she stumbled into the restroom, hiding before he could noticed.

She didn't even know how long she stood at the sink, rinsing and breathing through it, waiting for the bleeding to stop.

When she finally stepped back out, the room was completely empty.

A faint smile flickered on her lips—then the tears came, slipping down her cheeks.

It was still pouring. Daniel was gone. No ride. No goodbye. Just... gone.

She had no choice.

So she called Carmen—Daniel's mom.

The second Carmen heard she was stranded at a bar, she freaked and sent their family chauffeur ASAP.

Noemi waited by the door, legs shaky. Then everything spun.

She collapsed.

Out cold.

When she finally came to, Carmen and Esteban—Daniel's dad—were hovering over her, faces tight with worry.

"Noemi, you had a fever. How are you feeling?"

She gave a weak nod, head still swimming. Her stomach flipped—she clutched her chest and dry heaved.

Esteban and Carmen exchanged a glance, then asked gently, "Noemi... are you pregnant?"

She froze, then smiled and shook her head.

She used to dream about giving Daniel a kid. But that was never in the cards.

Back when they got married, he made her get an IUD. Always used protection. Even had her take pills after, just in case.

Pregnant? Not a chance.

Carmen ran a hand over her hair, voice soft. "That idiot. Leaving you like that—he needs someone to knock some sense into him."

The door creaked open.

Daniel walked in, brow tight. He reached out, hand brushing her forehead, pausing over the heat and the bandage.

His stomach dropped. That ashtray must've actually hit her.

Esteban couldn't hold back. "If you care about her, why'd you leave her like that?"

Daniel's jaw clenched. His hand fell to his side, curling into a fist.

"Honey, stop," Carmen cut in. "Let them talk."

She gave Esteban a look, and the two of them stepped out.

At the door, Carmen gave Daniel a quick nudge. "Be gentle, okay? The sooner you two work things out, the sooner we'll have grandkids."

As soon as they were alone, the warmth drained from Daniel's face.

"You planned this, didn't you?"

He didn't even hesitate—totally convinced.

"You had my parents send the driver, then faked fainting to look pathetic in front of them?"

His sneer cut deep, voice colder by the second. "What's the angle? Trying to get pregnant? Fishing for sympathy? You're seriously shameless."

"No... I didn't—"

He didn't let her finish.

"I'd rather die without kids than let someone like you carry mine."

It seemed like she was trash. "And I'll never touch you again."

Noemi had nothing left to say. Her head pounded, her temple throbbed, and the tumor behind it all stabbed like fire. Her whole body felt like it was giving out.

"Daniel, I didn't... I never thought of that..."

"You better not have." He scoffed, then yanked her up by the arm. "Get home. Now."

Esteban and Carmen couldn't stop him. His grip on her wrist was unrelenting.

He dragged her along, and she barely stayed on her feet.