Chapter 1

The last thing I saw was my husband's back as he rushed out the door.

The pain in my lower abdomen drained the strength from my body. I collapsed onto the floor, and warm fluid poured down my legs, spreading across the carpet in a dark, frightening stain.

I lifted a trembling hand toward the housekeeper nearby and forced out a hoarse plea.

"Get me to the hospital. Now."

The housekeeper looked terrified.

"Madam, Mr. Whitmore specifically said we had to wait until he came back. I don't dare…"

"Don't dare?" I clutched my stomach, my voice shaking from the pain. "If anything happens to me or the baby, Graham Whitmore will never forgive you. Take me now!"

She was finally frightened enough to move, but she had barely reached the doorway when Graham's personal assistant, Parker Hale, stopped her.

"Mr. Hale, Madam is in labor. She needs to go to the hospital immediately," the housekeeper said nervously.

Parker glanced at the fluid on the floor, then at my twisted expression. His voice stayed calm.

"Mr. Whitmore said to wait until he returns. Madam is only using the pregnancy to make a scene. Help her back to bed."

"If you delay any longer, the baby will die. Can you take responsibility for that?"

I used every bit of strength I had to push myself up and point at him.

Parker gave me a respectful-looking smile, but his eyes were cold.

"Madam, Mr. Whitmore is at the hospital with Miss Vale, protecting her pregnancy. He said you are to wait until he comes back.

"You know his temper. No one dares disobey him."

"I am giving birth. The baby cannot wait!"

Another contraction tore through me like a blade twisting through my abdomen. I curled in on myself, sweat soaking my clothes in an instant.

"What are you standing around for?" Parker snapped. "Get Madam to bed."

Two maids rushed forward and dragged me by the arms, ignoring my pain as they forced me toward the bedroom.

Then I felt another warm rush. I looked down.

Blood.

"I'm bleeding!" I grabbed one maid's hand and screamed. "Take me to the hospital! The baby is really in danger!"

"Madam, I can't make that decision. I'll call the family doctor first."

The maid pried my hand away, guilt written across her face.

"I don't want a family doctor. I need a hospital!"

"Please don't get angry, Madam. I'll ask Mr. Hale right now."

She ran out in a panic.

The pain cut so deeply it seemed to reach my bones. Sweat, blood, and amniotic fluid soaked the velvet rug beneath me.

Time crawled by, but no one came.

Dragging my bleeding body to the edge of the bed, I grabbed the hem of Mrs. Ward's skirt as she entered.

"Mrs. Ward, please. Go check. I can't hold on much longer…"

Mrs. Ward nodded, eyes full of pity.

"Madam, hold on. I'll go hurry them."

But the second she turned, Parker blocked her.

He walked slowly toward me. When his gaze landed on the blood-streaked rug, hesitation flashed across his eyes, then vanished under cold obedience.

"Let Dr. Lane examine her first."

Dr. Lane entered quickly with his medical bag. Several maids came forward and pinned down my struggling limbs.

"Let me go! I need a hospital!"

"The baby can't wait!"

Dr. Lane checked me with a blank face, then took out a few white pills and told Mrs. Ward to make me swallow them.