1. Love That Hurts

“Darius … please, not tonight.”

Rayna's voice trembled, barely audible in the tense silence of the room. Her hands instinctively shielded her rounded belly beneath the thin fabric—inside, a five-month-old life had just begun. Her life had almost been perfect.

“Please, don’t come closer. This is for him, Daren,” Rayna shook her head, signaling that she was not ready tonight.

“Tch! You refuse me?!” Darius growled.

He advanced steadily, while Rayna stood at the side of the bed, the soles of her feet touching the marble floor, its coldness creeping up into her bones.

Darius stared at her. His gaze was not empty—it was dark, burning with something that made Rayna step back half a pace, frightened. His breath was heavy.

“N-not like that … I’m just … tired,” Rayna explained, her eyes darting nervously, afraid Darius would see through her lie.

“I don’t believe you, not until I see for myself,” Darius said coldly. “Come here, or you’ll know what happens if you refuse me!” he threatened.

Rayna’s body trembled, torn between two fears. Following Darius’s desires could endanger her baby. Yet refusing him would bring his wrath.

“I-I’m sorry, not tonight, please. I’m really tired,” Rayna pleaded, her desperation clear.

“Besides, the doctor said I should refrain until the baby is stronger—”

Bang!

The door slammed shut loudly, startling Rayna.

“Darius, no!” she shook her head slightly, searching for the bed frame with her hands, her fingers clutching the wooden post.

“I don’t care! What I want is to satisfy myself tonight!”

Darius pushed Rayna until she was lying on the bed. Impatiently, he began touching her. There was no tenderness—only his pursuit of pleasure, ignoring her current condition.

“Darius, slow down … remember, I’m carrying your child. Please … be careful,” Rayna warned amidst the pain below.

Ignoring her, Darius pressed harder, seeking pleasure until he was satisfied.

“Ah … it hurts, slow down!” Rayna warned again, her hands clutching the bedsheets.

“You should be glad I still want to touch you, damn it!” Darius snapped. “You’re utterly disgusting, can’t even please me!”

“I’m just being careful,” she whispered.

“Bah, that’s just nonsense. You’re weak and cowardly!” Darius shouted angrily.

The creak of the bed echoed, shattering the silence as their bodies merged in heated tension.

Even as Darius continued, Rayna silently prayed for her unborn child’s safety.

‘Oh God, please protect my baby. I just hope he’s okay in there, while my chest keeps feeling this unrelenting pressure!’

Darius deliberately tilted her body, searching again for satisfaction, roughly pulling her hair.

“Ahh!”

Rayna restrained herself, suppressing both her pain and tears.

“Don’t be so fast,” she quivered.

“Silence!” Darius’s voice was low and cold. “You talk too much.”

Rayna closed her eyes. The sheets felt rough under her palms as she clutched them tightly.

Her breath was short, chest rising and falling unevenly. She tried to picture the man who had once touched her with gentleness, treating her like something precious.

But his shouts hit harder than anything else. Her head throbbed—her vision spun.

The bed creaked in the distance, as if coming from another room. Rayna tried to draw in air, to sharpen her eyes—but failed.

“Darius hasn’t finished with me yet. I’m so exhausted, my head aches terribly,” she thought bitterly.

Darkness crept from the corners of her vision, slowly covering her world. Soon, it consumed her entirely, and Rayna fainted.

---

The cold air from the AC brushed against her bare skin, unprotected by any cloth.

“Ah, my head!”

Rayna opened her eyes with difficulty, holding her head.

The luxurious room felt silent—and cold. Dim lights hung, not fully illuminated.

Darius was no longer by her side. “He’s gone… after taking what he wanted, he left me,” she murmured sadly, trying to make sense of it.

After the deaths of her parents in the accident, his duties as an Alpha, and the responsibilities he could not abandon, she found she could not entirely be angry at her husband.

All she could do was hope. Pray to the Moon Goddess that her husband would return to his old self, loving her, protecting her, holding her with care—not hurting her, leaving her like a meaningless pile of trash.

Memories flashed back to her teenage years, when her father had fallen from a horse. She had been there. The whole family blamed her, culminating in an old seer-priest declaring she was a curse, a bringer of misfortune to the family.

He then looked at her twin sister, Laluna, smiling warmly, claiming that her sister would bring prosperity and greatness.

From that day on, every family member, friend, and even servants treated her as worthless. They humiliated her, hurt her, bullied her without mercy.

Until a handsome young man appeared—Darius Blackthorn. He helped her, protected her, and gave her the attention she had never received, making her heart slowly open to him.

Until fate, guided by the Moon Goddess, united her with the man she had loved in silence for seven years through a sacred marriage. Rayna appeared happy, becoming the Luna of the city’s strongest Alpha, her husband, Darius.

But something changed in him. Darius now was harsh, belittling, always hurting her without mercy. Yet she believed this was a trial, demanding she become a strong Luna.

Consciousness returned, the air freezing in her lungs. Rayna stared at the ceiling again. Memories fell, one by one, without permission. Darius’s smile. His comforting embrace. Promises that had sounded sincere. All felt like someone else’s story.

She moved to sit up.

Then she saw something that made her heart pound, her face pale.

“W-what is this?”

“Blood!”

Dark red stained her thighs, spreading slowly, icy.

Her heart pounded, fear rising again. Sharp pain in her head made the world wobble.

“No … no … my baby,” Rayna lifted her hand, staring in disbelief.

With trembling hands, Rayna rose, her feet touching the cold floor. She grabbed her phone hurriedly and dialed the number she knew by heart.

“Ha-hallo, Darius,” her voice cracked as the call connected.

“What now, bothering me again!”

“Dar … please … I’m bleeding. Take me to the hospital now, please.”

Darius snorted, unconvinced.

“Stop lying, Rayna. I know you’re lying, damn it!” Darius barked.

“If it’s nothing important, don’t bother me,” he added.

“Daren, I’m scared. I swear I’m not lying. Come home now,” Rayna sobbed quietly. “I’m hurt… for our child, Darius, I beg you.”

“Don’t drama,” he replied sharply.

Soon, another voice emerged—a female, faint but clear, laughing lightly. Familiar.

“Darling, come here?” the woman said. “Let’s do it again, I’m not satisfied yet.”

Click!

The call ended abruptly. Rayna was stunned, disbelieving.

“Darius, don’t hang up,” she panicked, trying to call again, but it was inactive.

Then she remembered someone—her twin. Laura Kiel.

“That voice … I’m sure it’s Laura,” Rayna murmured. “Why is she with Darius? Don’t tell me she’s having a relationship with my husband!”

Her voice trembled. Sobs escaped uncontrollably. She wiped tears with the back of her hand, forcing herself to move. She hurriedly put on clothes, wiped blood as best as she could, hugging her belly tightly.

“Mami’s here,” she whispered. “Hold on, Baby. Mami begs you.”

---

In the taxi, the city passed by as a blurry shadow. Rayna hunched over, one hand clutching her belly, the other gripping the seat.

“Sir,” she panted. “Please … faster. I need to get to the hospital.”

The driver glanced through the rearview mirror at her pale face. “Yes, Ma’am.”

Every bump on the road made Rayna hold her breath. She rubbed her belly repeatedly, as if her touch could protect the life inside.

“Stay strong, you must be strong, Baby,” she whispered over and over. “Don’t go … Mami’s here.”

The hospital lights blinded her as the taxi stopped. Rayna got out unsteadily, nearly falling.

“Help!” she weakly called. “Please, help me!”

Several people turned. A nurse ran over at the sight of blood on her legs.

“Ma’am, calm down. Follow me.”

“Please save my child,” Rayna sobbed, clutching the nurse’s arm.

“Please, don’t let anything happen to him,” she whispered.

Her head throbbed violently again. The sounds faded. Light began to dim. Darkness returned, and Rayna fainted once more.