Chapter 5

Janice's POV

After a brief commotion, Jason rushed over and shoved my wheelchair aside. He then scooped up Freya and headed for the exit.

My body went limp. I watched through gritted teeth as Jason held Freya with such tenderness. My eyes met her smug gaze, which seemed to say that she had won.

Jason didn't even spare me a glance. He judged me without asking for my side of the story, leaving me with no way to defend myself.

Someone kicked me hard. I toppled to the ground, alcohol spilling as shards of glass scattered everywhere. It was a pathetic sight.

Jason paused in his tracks.

Freya clutched her head with one hand and her stomach with the other. "Jason, I really don't know what got into Ms. Moyer. She suddenly swung that bottle at me and said she wanted to kill me and the baby so you could never be happy.

"It's fine if she hates me, but I don't understand why she would hurt our child. It hurts so much, Jason. Am I going to die?"

I lay on the ground with the wheelchair pinning me down. Shards of glass sliced into my skin, and the sticky liquor made the wounds sting even more, but I didn't have the energy to call for help.

"Shawn, get Janice to a hospital. I'll settle the score with her later!"

Jason's voice faded into the distance.

In a daze, I met Shawn's sly and mocking gaze. "Janice, I'm not like Jason. I won't keep falling for your tricks.

"You almost succeeded again. Jason actually wanted to postpone the wedding just because you came back! Fortunately, he won't be delaying anything. I'll make sure he never sees you again!"

I wanted to scream at Shawn in rage. He was Jason's best friend, but we had also known each other for years. How could he be heartless enough to treat me this way?

Still, I couldn't say a word. I felt as though someone stuffed me into a box and tossed me into a frozen wasteland.

At first, everything felt freezing. Then, memories started flashing through my mind, coming and going in a blur.

In the end, I return to that bar, wrapped in warmth.

Jason asked me, "Janice, how about I propose to you here someday?"

This time, he received no answer.

…

Jason's POV

I took Freya to the hospital for a full checkup. Once I confirmed there was no major issue, I contacted Shawn. "How is Janice?"

Shawn replied, "Don't worry. She's not going to die."

My temples throbbed. "Which hospital is she in? I need to ask her why she tried to hurt Freya."

Shawn hesitated. "Tomorrow's your wedding. Just wait until after the ceremony to ask her."

Before I could think further, Freya woke up and clung to me, refusing to let go. I felt a sense of helplessness.

I regretted letting my guard down that night. I had drunk the spiked wine, which led to Freya getting pregnant, leaving me with no choice but to take responsibility.

I wanted to demand answers from Janice about why she returned, why she looked so miserable, and why she wanted to harm my child.

I told myself I could ask after the wedding. There was still time.

By the next day's wedding, Freya had recovered considerably. We walked into the church arm in arm, presenting a picture of perfect happiness.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. Zayne burst in, covered in snow, and slammed his fist into my face.

He screamed, "Why? Why did Janice die out in the snow?"