Chapter 2

She shot Lawrence a coy glare, smoothed her dress, and walked toward me. "Don't leave, Sylvie! You must've gotten the wrong idea. We were just playing a game of truth or dare, and I lost.

"There's nothing going on between me and Lawrie!"

The others, startled by my sudden appearance, began to scatter with awkward excuses.

Lawrence frowned and said, “Sylvie, it was just a game. Don't look at me like that, okay?”

Instinctively, I covered my slightly rounded belly as a dull ache spread through my chest.

The corners of Eloise's lips curled slightly, and her eyes glimmered with triumph. "You're scaring her, Lawrie. Sylvie even brought you a cake to celebrate your birthday. Don't be so harsh on her!"

Then, she reached for the box in my hands and talked to me as if she were Lawrence's wife, "Don't be afraid. Lawrie's all bark and no bite."

I instinctively tightened my grip on the string of the cake box, yet she let out a shrill scream as the cake slipped out of the box and landed on her gown. "My dress!"

Tears instantly welled up in her eyes, and she looked piteously at Lawrence. "Sylvie didn't do it on purpose, Lawrie! Don't blame her."

"Sylvie, if you're mad, you can take it out on me. Don't hurt Eloise! You're going to be a mother soon. Why are you still so short-tempered?" He yanked Eloise to his side and shot me an irritated look.

Then, he carefully guided Eloise past me.

Before leaving, Eloise deliberately kicked the fallen cake right next to me.

The cream made the floor slick, and I slipped instantly.

A sharp, burning pain shot through my stomach.

The banquet hall was empty—everyone had left. Only me.

Clutching my belly, I stumbled down the stairs, each step sending waves of pain through me.

Pain ripped through me. Staring at Lawrence's retreating figure, I cried out in agony, "Don't go, Lawrence! My stomach…"

However, my cries didn't bring Lawrence back. Before his figure completely disappeared from my view, I shakily dialed his number.

Yet, he merely stopped in his tracks for a heartbeat. After noticing my name flashing on the phone screen, he decisively declined it.

Once he was gone, all I received was a cold text message:

“I’m taking Eloise shopping. You did it on purpose—you got cake on her dress. When you’ve reflected on your behavior, apologize to her.”

Clutching my phone in despair, an excruciating pain tore through my abdomen, and I cried out helplessly, "Help! Please, save my baby…"

Warm liquid trickled down my thighs, and the strong metallic smell of blood filled me with horror. This was the baby I had longed for…

I couldn't lose it!

"Ma'am, you're bleeding heavily. I'll call an ambulance right now!" A kind waiter helped me into the ambulance, yet my condition was far from good.

After the examination, the doctor looked at me with a grim expression. "Please be prepared for the worst, ma'am."

My head was spinning, but I forced myself to stay conscious as I burst into tears and pleaded, "My baby's already three months old. Please, I'm begging you, save him!"

The doctor pondered for a moment before hesitantly responding, "If Dr. Clayton is here, he might be able to save your baby. He's the most renowned obstetrician. But he's difficult to reach unless you know someone influential who can introduce you."

A sliver of hope rose in my chest. "My husband is Don Ardent. Would he be able to?"

The doctor's face lit up with a smile. "Don Ardent? Of course! He's an old acquaintance of our hospital director. So long as he says the word, there's a good chance we can save your baby!"

With trembling hands, I picked up my phone and called Lawrence again. It rang a few times before he finally answered. "Sylvie, have you thought things through? Apologize to Eloise, and we'll forget this ever happened. Eloise even said you don't need to pay for her gown."

I didn't have time to argue with him. I immediately cut to the chase. "Lawrence, something's happened to our baby. Can you come to the hospital? Also, do you know Dr. Clayton? Can you—"

Before I could finish, he cut me off sharply. "That's enough, Sylvie! You knew how much I was looking forward to this baby. Why did you lie to me about the miscarriage? You'd go as far as cursing your own child just to avoid taking responsibility? What kind of mother does that?"