Chapter 3

Quilla could eat anything and was willing to go anywhere, no matter how dangerous it was.

Before I got pregnant, I accompanied Connor on business trips and attended social events with him all over the country. In just three years, I helped him win his father’s approval and secure the position of CEO at the family company ahead of schedule.

But later, I became nothing more than a burden to him.

He forced me to hike up a mountain at night, then accused me of throwing my weight around and bullying ordinary people.

He had forgotten that I was an ordinary person myself.

How could I possibly not understand how hard ordinary people had to work?

Suddenly, a piercing wolf’s howl echoed from deep within the valley.

I clutched my jacket and turned around. The lights inside the ticket booth were off. The staff had gone to sleep on a small bed inside.

A nearby sign read: Snakes may be active at night. Do not linger in this area.

The darkness around me was terrifying. Every gust of wind made the leaves rustle, and I gasped in fright.

The next moment, a sudden weight hit my lower belly. Pain shot through me, and I felt as though my whole body were being pulled downward.

Oh no! I was having contractions!

…

I panicked.

I had just reached 9 months, and I was stuck in such a place.

If the baby came early, how could I possibly keep it safe?

Another contraction hit.

It was even worse than the last. My belly tightened until it felt rock-hard.

I bent forward and fought through the pain as I called Connor.

The call connected, but he hung up on me.

I gasped for breath and called again. When he finally answered, I blurted out, “Connor, I think I’m going into labor! You have to come get me!”

Over the sound of the wind, Connor clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“You’re only 9 months pregnant. You’d say anything to avoid walking a little farther.”

I clutched my belly.

“I’m not joking! My belly keeps clenching. I’m having contractions!”

“I told you to wear more clothes before we left. You wanted to look good, so you brought only a jacket. Your belly is clenching because you’re cold. Stop blaming everything on premature labor.”

“Connor, this is your baby! Do you want our child to die out here?”

I could no longer hold back and screamed at him.

Connor fell silent. He seemed unsure what to say.

After I screamed, the contraction finally seemed to ease.

My clothes were soaked with sweat.

I slowly straightened up and gasped for breath. Then, I noticed that the light inside the ticket booth had come back on.

The staff was talking to someone.

“Ms. Langford, I’m keeping an eye on her. She’s sitting on the bench outside.”

“Is she in pain? No, she seems perfectly fine.”

Then, I heard Quilla’s helpless sigh through the phone.

“Ms. Westbrook, please stop making a fuss. Night shifts are hard enough for ordinary workers.”

Connor’s voice grew even colder.

“Zara, I’m only going to say this one more time.

“Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean the whole world has to revolve around you.

“If our child turns out to be as spoiled as you, he won’t deserve to inherit the Smith family fortune!”

The next contraction hit without warning.

It felt as though someone had driven a blade into my lower back and twisted it hard.

My phone nearly slipped from my hand as I doubled over in agony.

“Connor, I really am about to give birth. Please, help me…”

The call ended.

Inside the ticket booth, the staff rolled his eyes.

“What a joke. Is this some mistress who thinks she can use her pregnancy to force her way into the family?”

The pain was so intense that white spots flashed before my eyes. I no longer had the strength to argue with him.

Suddenly, I heard the cable car humming through the valley. Its lights cut through the darkness.

Connor had come back for me!

Tears streamed down my face. I did not even care that blood was still running from the cut on my arm. I gripped the back of the bench and struggled to my feet.

But Connor did not even look at me from inside the cable car.

Quilla had her back to me as she counted the stars.

Connor sat close beside her. They pointed at the sky and laughed. Even their smiles looked exactly alike.

I froze.

I watched helplessly as the cable car passed right by me and continued straight toward the mountaintop.

Tears splashed onto the back of my hand. They felt scalding hot, and I shuddered.

The staff burst out laughing when he saw my reaction.

“You thought Mr. Smith came back for you? Dream on!

“Mr. Smith couldn’t care less about you. Ms. Langford wanted a closer look at the stars, so he specifically called me and told me to send the cable car up to the summit!”