Chapter 4

I left Joyce’s house and stood on the street. I realized I had nowhere to go.

In a fit of spite, I went to a store to buy an ice cream, only to find that I didn’t even have ten dollars in my wallet.

I sat in a park not far from home from dusk until dawn. When the baby moved, I silently went back home.

Henry immediately grabbed me and looked me over carefully.

“Where have you been? I looked for you all night.

“You’re acting recklessly, and the child has to suffer with you.”

I didn’t look at him. I simply held out my hand.

“Your phone.”

After hesitating for a moment, he handed it to me. I entered the passcode.

My birthday. Wrong.

Our wedding anniversary. Still wrong.

He pressed his lips together.

“0225.”

Kate’s birthday.

My fingers paused for a moment before I unlocked the phone and transferred five thousand dollars to myself.

Henry’s pupils constricted. He handed me a card.

“Here. Unlimited credit. Buy whatever you want.

“Annie, stop running away from home.”

I gripped the card, its sharp edges digging painfully into my palm.

He reached out, wanting to hug me, but I moved away. I turned and went back to my room.

I simply stayed in the house quietly, hardly ever asking about him and Kate again. As the baby grew bigger, I only looked forward to the day it would be born.

One afternoon, Kate came looking for me. She was still wearing Henry’s clothes, forcing a smug smile.

“Anya, you still don’t know, do you? Henry said that once the children are born, he’ll come and take good care of me.

“I only said I was a little tired, and he was so worried he couldn’t stand it. I heard you were vomiting bile, and he didn’t even say a word?

“How can Henry be like this? If it were me, I’d never let a girl suffer like that.”

I was about to turn away when I heard her cry out as she tumbled down the stairs.

“Anya, I really only came to keep you company. Even if you don’t believe in our friendship, you shouldn’t hurt the children.”

“Katie!”

The next second, Henry’s burning slap landed across my face. He bent down and picked Kate up in his arms.

“Anya, you’ve really disappointed me.”

I watched his anxious figure disappear and wiped the blood from the corner of my lips.

I forced a bitter smile. The numbness in my face took a long while to fade.

That night, he came in with a grim expression and grabbed my hand.

“You caused Katie to go into premature labour. Her eyes are damaged, and she can’t see now. Do you understand?

“Since you’re so heartless, then you’ll pay her back with yours!”

“I didn’t do it! She fell by herself!” I shook my head desperately.

“You’re still lying! She’s so innocent. She doesn’t have all those schemes in her.”

He dragged me outside. I had no strength left to fight him. I collapsed, desperately pleading with him.

“Henry, please don’t do this. I’m pregnant. Please don’t go.

“Can you wait until the baby is born? Just wait a few more months.”

I cried as my whole body shook. He only laughed coldly.

“Wait? What about Katie? Can she wait?

“And what about the baby? You’re so heartless. Do you even deserve to carry my child?”

Ignoring my condition, he sent me into the operating theatre. I watched as they approached me with surgical instruments.

Hot tears fell helplessly. The corners of my eyes were forced open, leaving streaks of blood mixed with tears.

He used to smile and gently kiss my eyes. He used to praise them for being so bright and beautiful.

When it was over, he had someone send me to a care home, afraid that I would disturb Kate’s postpartum recovery.

I was locked away. It was damp, cold, and gloomy. Henry never once came to see me.

On the day of the delivery, I used every last bit of strength I had.

It took an entire day. When my baby was finally born, she had long since stopped breathing.

I held her tiny body and stumbled out of the convalescent home.

That same day, everything under Young Corporation was being given away for free. It was as part of a grand celebration for Kate’s twins, showering the children with all the happiness imaginable.

Thanks to her, I was able to collect a baby swaddle from a maternity and baby store. Only then did I have something to wrap around my tiny, lifeless daughter.

“Annie, I only wanted you and the child to come back with me and live a good life.”

Henry’s hoarse voice pulled me back from my thoughts.

I curled my lips. “The child?”

Henry continued, “The convalescent home told me it was a girl. She’s three now, right? I already chose a name for her. How about Eve Young?

“She has to come home eventually.”

“Didn’t they tell you that the baby was stillborn?” I interrupted.

Henry’s voice immediately turned cold, tinged with anger.

“Anya, even if you hate me, you can hit me or curse at me. But don’t use the child to vent your anger.

“All these years, I’ve prepared a children’s room for her. I'm only waiting for both of you to come home.”

I said nothing. It was pointless anyway.

I picked up my cane and returned home.

He followed closely behind me. “Anya, didn’t you hear what I said?

“Don’t use the child…”

The moment I pushed open the door, he rushed forward and picked up the death certificate from the table, which had faded to a yellowed brown.

His whole body shook violently.