Chapter 5

Alice's POV

"Let go of me!" I tried to pull my arm free, but Jace's grip only tightened.

"Stop making a scene, Alice." He dragged me out of the elevator, his fingers digging into my skin hard enough to bruise.

Serena walked behind me with a smirk on her face, as if she enjoyed watching me suffer like this. Out of all the people, I had trusted her the most and even she betrayed me. 

"Stop fighting," he hissed. "You're only making this harder."

I tried my best to resist, thwarting my legs and scratching his arm. If I went back to that hospital, they'd take my baby. I'd never see my child again.

Even if the child was born because of unfavorable circumstances, I still wanted it. The baby was my only hope to live. I had no one else. 

I twisted in his grip, trying to break free, but Jace was stronger.

"Sir, is there a problem?" A security guard in a crisp white uniform stepped forward, his eyes moving from Jace to me. He must have noticed my struggle. 

Jace froze.

"No problem," Jace said quickly, giving him a tight smile. "Just helping my girlfriend. She's not feeling well."

The guard's eyes narrowed at me. "Miss, are you alright?"

For a split second, Jace's grip loosened. I used that opportunity to free myself from his grip and run. 

"Alice!" Jace shouted behind me, but I was already pushing through the lobby doors. 

I ran past the fountain and my legs felt like they were moving through water. 

Pain exploded through my abdomen, so sharp and sudden that I cried out. I doubled over, one hand pressed against my stomach, the other reaching for a nearby pillar to keep from falling. 

I could feel that I would give birth anytime soon. I didn't have much time.

I forced myself to keep moving, and ended up at the parking lot. At a distance, I heard Serena’s voice. “Alice!” 

Panic flooded through me. I spotted a black sedan a few cars away. Without thinking, I stumbled toward it and yanked open the back door.

I practically fell inside, pulling the door shut behind me just as another wave of pain crashed over me.

"What the—"

I looked up, my vision blurry with tears and pain.

A man sat in the back seat. He was wearing an expensive suit, his dark hair perfectly styled and his face carved like a handsome sculpture. His black eyes looked at me with a mixture of shock and cold anger.

He appeared most distinguished, though it is difficult to guess his age.

In the front seat, another man turned around, his face twisted with outrage. "Get out! Now! Do you have any idea whose car you just—"

"Please." The word came out as a sob. Through the tinted window, I could see Jace and Serena in the distance, scanning the parking lot. "Please don't throw me out. Just let me hide. Just for a minute. Please."

"This is Mr. David Kastner's private vehicle," the man in the front seat snapped. "You need to leave immediately."

David Kastner. The name hit me like ice water.

I looked at the man beside me with horror. This was David Kastner, Adam Kastner’s uncle. I heard Lily speaking of him, saying that he was the CEO of Kastner Global Enterprises and controlled half of the empire. He also mentioned that he had a bad temper and dealt in the underworld as well. 

My face turned pale. Out of all the people, I had to hide in his car. Now he was staring at me like I was an insect that had crawled into his space.

"I'm sorry, sir," I gasped, another contraction making me curl forward. "Please, I'll leave in a second. Just let me—"

A knock on the window made my heart jump.

Serena’s face appeared in the glass, her eyes scanning the interior of the car. Her gaze fell on David whose body was shielding me. 

"Sir?" she called out sweetly, her voice muffled through the glass. She smiled and leaned forward to show her cleavage. "I'm looking for my friend. She has long brown hair. Have you seen her?"

I held my breath, pressed back against the leather seat, making myself as small as possible.

Serena knows how to play to her strengths well. She has a sweet face and an hourglass figure. I've never seen a man turn down her request.

David Kastner said nothing as he looked at her. Surprisingly, her trick didn’t seem to work on him.

I looked at his cold face and remembered Adam mentioning once to Lily at home that David remained himself unmarried for the woman he loved.

Serena leaned closer to the window, "She might have gotten confused and wandered off.” She narrowed her eyes, trying to see again if I’m in the car. 

"Three seconds." David's voice was low and cold as he looked at me. "Get out."

“Two.” 

Another strong contraction tore through me, leaving me breathless and I curled up in the leather seat. My face paled as the hot liquid soaking my dress dripped down my leg and rolled onto the seven-digit footpad. 

My water broke! 

“One.” David’s voice rang like an ultimatum. 

"Please," I whispered, clutching the edge of his suit jacket without thinking. My voice was raw and desperate. "The baby will die if they find me. Please."

Outside, Serena was still talking, her voice honey-sweet. "Sir, please, if you've seen a pregnant woman, it's really important. She needs medical attention—"

"Please don't believe her," I begged David, shaking my head rapidly. "She's lying. They want to steal my baby. Please, please don't turn me in."

I looked up at his cold face, hot tears streaming down my face.