Chapter 4 A Lesson

Time slowed to a stop, and all eyes were on him. I looked at him, the man who did what he wanted with me the night before, and a sliver of hope flared in my heart, though it was laughable.

Impatiently, Zack said, "I don't know her. She's a thief." He held Yvonne tightly and moved his eyes away. Then he started comforting her quietly, "Did she scare you? It's not worth it. I got your cake, and it's your favorite flavor. Let's go. Don't waste your time looking at something unpleasant."

Yvonne leaned on his chest and smiled. "You're the best." Then she said, "She's just a thief. Teach her a lesson and toss her out of Porton. We don't want any thievery hurting this land."

The guard said, "Yes, Ms. Chaucer."

Zack paused for a moment, but he did not turn back. Instead, he held Yvonne tighter and walked out of the place.

…

A kind stranger eventually found me and took me to hospital. After my wounds were treated, the doctor told me, "You're three months along now. Be careful. You're lucky your baby's fine this time, but your luck will run out."

I froze. My trembling hand slowly moved towards my still-flat stomach. I could not believe a life was growing inside me. Before I could even snap out of it, men in black barged into the ward and pulled me up, manhandling me.

"What are you doing? Let me go?"

That only earned me a heavy hit in return. Before my consciousness faded, they said coldly, "Mr. Landton's orders. This is a lesson."

When I woke up again, I was in an underground chamber, the air thick with the stench of metal and beasts. I had nothing but my undergarments on, and I was locked in a cold cage. Beyond the bars, figures stood in the dim light, their eyes lingering on me.

But the thing that scared me the most was the gigantic mastiff in the neighboring cage. It was growling and drooling.

"No! Let me go!"

I was severely allergic to dog fur, and breathing became hard. But now there was something far more terrifying to protect. The baby inside me.

I grabbed the bars desperately. Tears streamed down my face. "I'm allergic to dogs, and I'm pregnant! Please, spare me!"

A man with a headset crouched. He looked at me coldly. "It's useless pleading with us, Ms. Shaw. You're the one who sent those videos to Ms. Chaucer."

I shook my head profusely and defended myself, "I didn't! I don't even know what you're talking about!"

"Mr. Landton's orders. You don't know your place and made Ms. Chaucer cry. You will pay the price." He stood up and said cruelly, "You loved to share those videos, didn't you? Then these people will be enjoying the show too."

"I didn't do it! I want to see Zack!" I screamed in despair. With my trembling hands, I tried to find my phone, but it was nowhere to be found.

Someone tossed me an old phone. I grabbed it like it was my lifeline, and I quickly dialed. It was then, I got a video. With shivering hands, I tapped it open, and it was Yvonne leaning in Zack's arms, taking a selfie.

She chuckled. "That replacement is such an annoyance. She won't stop calling. How about we give her to Mr. West and his friends after tonight?"

The screen shook, and it was now showing Zack's cold profile. "Sure."

At the same time, the mastiff lunged at me. The burning agony and despair dragged me into a world of darkness.

Zack's phone refused to stop ringing. While Yvonne was in the bathroom, he picked it up. With resignation, he said, "Stop calling. I'll pick you up when you've learnt your lesson."

An unfamiliar voice said, "Hi, is this Ivanna Shaw's family? She forgot to take her MFM. You'll have to come to Mercy Hospital."