Chapter 4

Natalie Montgomery's POV

Ethan looked at me, his expression conflicted.

He said, "The doctors discovered that Vanessa's baby has a serious blood disorder. They said that the baby's condition could become critical."

He paused, swallowing hard as though the next words were difficult to say.

"They need a compatible donor. They think that blood from a biological sibling could help."

I stared at him in disbelief. For a second, I couldn't even process what he was suggesting.

"Ethan… What are you planning to do to my daughter?"

She had only just been born. She was tiny, frail, and completely dependent on me to protect her.

And he was standing there talking about using her to save the child he'd conceived with another woman.

Ethan avoided my horrified stare, and when he spoke again, his voice had gone cold. "Natalie, the doctors said they only need a small amount.

"They told me it wouldn't hurt her. I'll make it up to both of you. If you agree to help Vanessa and her baby, I'll give you anything you want."

"No… No!" I shook my head, my entire body trembling.

I backed toward my daughter's bassinet. "Ethan, have you lost your mind? She's a newborn! She's too young for this. You could kill her!"

Ethan frowned. "I already told you that she's going to be fine. Why are you making this so difficult?"

Before I could answer, he glanced toward the two bodyguards waiting outside the room.

That was all it took.

They stepped inside and grabbed me by the arms, one on either side.

I fought against them, but they held me firmly in place.

"Ethan! What is wrong with you?" I screamed. "She's your daughter! Your own flesh and blood! How can you do this to her?"

Just then, Vanessa appeared in the doorway wearing a hospital gown, a nurse supporting her as she walked.

The moment she saw me struggling helplessly between the bodyguards, a victorious smile tugged at her lips.

"Don't be too hard on Ethan, Natalie. If you want to blame someone, blame your daughter's bad luck. She just happens to have the one thing my baby needs."

Vanessa slowly stroked her belly, her face glowing with smug satisfaction.

I was shaking with rage. "Vanessa, you'll pay for this someday!"

With everything I had, I managed to wrench one arm free. I hadn't even touched her when she suddenly screamed and stumbled backward.

The next thing I knew, Ethan's hand struck me across the face. My head snapped to the side, my cheek burning from the blow.

When I looked back, Vanessa was already trembling in his arms, playing the frightened victim to perfection.

Ethan glared at me as though he wanted to tear me apart. "Have you completely lost your mind, Natalie?"

His voice was a furious growl. "They're taking a little blood, that's all! No one's trying to kill her! Do you really have to turn everything into a scene?"

Ethan gave the doctor a silent nod.

The doctor and nurse immediately approached my baby's bassinet.

"No! Stop! Please, don't touch her! She's only a newborn!" I fought desperately against the bodyguards, screaming until my throat burned, but they wouldn't let me go.

All I could do was watch helplessly as the medical staff began the procedure.

My daughter's faint cries filled the room. She sounded so small and helpless. Every little whimper tore through me.

I screamed Ethan's name. I begged him to stop them and to look at his daughter just once.

But he didn't.

Without even turning back, he lifted Vanessa into his arms and carried her toward the private wing.

For Vanessa, Ethan had reserved an entire floor of private suites. He stayed by her side around the clock and brought in the best specialists money could buy.

But my daughter received none of that care.

She died later that night.

I held her tiny, motionless body in my arms and stayed there until morning, numb to everything happening around me.

While I spent the night mourning the daughter we'd lost, Ethan was with Vanessa, his arms wrapped around her as he read bedtime stories to the baby she was still carrying.