Chapter 2

“Unfortunately, she was brought in too late. The patient made it through surgery, but we couldn’t save the baby.

“Where’s the patient’s family?”

“There was no family present. The consent form was signed by the patient herself.”

As the anesthesia wore off, Stella heard the doctor and nurse talking nearby, the fear of narrowly escaping death still lingering in her chest.

Without thinking, she placed a hand over her lower abdomen.

Just as the doctor had said, the baby was gone.

Her belly, once slightly rounded, was now flat.

She could no longer feel the tiny life that had once been growing inside her.

She knew she should be breaking down, sobbing uncontrollably, yet for some reason, not a single tear would come.

Perhaps she had already cried enough.

Seeing that she was awake, the doctor asked how she was feeling. Before leaving, he offered a few words of comfort, telling her to take care of her health and that she could have another child someday.

Stella only nodded.

She did not explain that there would be no next time. This child had never truly belonged to her. She had stolen it, just as she had stolen this marriage.

Back then, she had finally gotten her wish and married Hunter, the heir of the elite Ford family in Naver City. But Hunter believed she had schemed her way into the marriage and despised her for it. On their wedding night, he even made a public show of humiliating her by deliberately going to a club instead of staying with her.

She became the laughingstock of the entire city.

In their five years of marriage, his icy demeanor had thawed slightly. On a few occasions, when others mocked her too cruelly, he had shown a sliver of mercy by defending her honor. They say that proximity breeds fondness. She had hoped that by playing at being a couple for so long, some genuine affection might have grown between them.

But he had once given her a cold, clear warning.

He told her that while he might feel desire for her body, he would never give her his heart. Most importantly, he forbade her from ever bearing his child.

They were always meticulous about protection. On the rare occasions they were unprepared, he made sure she took a contraceptive pill immediately afterward. For years, Stella played the part of the dutiful Mrs. Ford, carefully staying within the lines he drew.

But three months ago, Hunter had returned home reeking of alcohol. In his drunken state, he forced himself on her without protection. When Stella went to take the morning-after pill, she found the box was empty. She intended to buy more at the pharmacy, but life got busy, and the task slipped her mind.

She thought one mistake wouldn't matter. She was wrong.

In the end, she really did get pregnant.

She had been anxious for a long time, hiding it for nearly three months before finally deciding to tell him today.

She had hoped the baby would bridge the distance between them. Instead, she met a car crash on her way to tell him.

Her mom had passed away long ago, and the Ford family had never liked her.

Before the surgery, she vaguely saw a doctor use her phone to call Hunter and send him a message about the accident. He did not answer. Perhaps he found those calls annoying and turned off his phone.

Stella knew he was cold, but she hadn't realized he was this heartless.

She stared up at the lifeless white ceiling of the hospital. Five years of marriage felt like a long, fading dream.

She needed to use the restroom, but the hospital staff were all rushing past. With no one to help her, she had to drag her IV pole step by step toward the bathroom. She was only grateful that the hospital gown didn't have buttons. Even so, what should have taken minutes took nearly half an hour.

When she came out of the bathroom and was about to head back, a woman’s voice drifted from a nearby office.

The familiar voice made her stop in her tracks.

“Hunter, it’s just a minor foot injury. I already told you I’m fine. You’re making too big a deal out of this.”

Her voice was gentle and soft. There was no hint of reproach in her tone. It came across more as flirting.

Her face was innocent and harmless, her features delicate and pure, the kind that made even Stella feel the urge to protect her.

This time, Stella saw clearly.

It was indeed Hunter’s first love, Gwen.

Stella didn't know if Hunter truly hadn't seen her at the crash site, or if he had seen her and simply didn't care if she lived or died. It didn't matter anymore.

She was well aware that Gwen was part of why he had treated her so terribly throughout their marriage. Even without today’s tragedy, a breaking point was inevitable.

“Gwen, isn’t this all because Hunter is worried about you?”

The young male doctor in a white coat beside them laughed as he teased.

“When you were first brought in, he was so anxious when he called me that his voice was shaking. He told me to schedule a full set of exams right away. I thought something serious had happened.”

He was Eugene Lewis, Hunter’s childhood friend and a longtime witness to the history between Hunter and Gwen.

Gwen’s cheeks flushed slightly as she lifted her head to look at Hunter, who was holding her with visible concern.

How could any woman not fall for a face like this? His features were striking and well-defined, and his build was strong and solid. Even through his clothes, she could feel his warmth. Simply resting against his chest made her feel completely safe, as though no matter what happened, he would shield her from it.

“It was a car accident. A thorough check is necessary,” Hunter said calmly.

“You’re just worried about Gwen,” Eugene replied with a grin. “I don't see you getting this tense over anyone else.”

Eugene knew better than anyone that Hunter had only married Stella under intense family pressure.

By “anyone else,” he was naturally referring to Stella.

Over the years, Stella had always come to the hospital alone. Sometimes Eugene would casually mention to Hunter that he had seen her there, but Hunter’s reaction was always indifferent. He never cared.

Eugene had already heard about how Stella had narrowly escaped death earlier and lost the baby.

By both reason and basic decency, he should have gone to check on her. After all, she was Hunter’s wife, and this time he was even in charge of her. At the very least, he should have stopped by to say a few words.

But he didn't. He felt she brought it on herself.

He knew her motives for marrying Hunter weren't pure, and he had recently tested Hunter to see if he knew about the pregnancy. Hunter had been clueless. It wasn't hard to guess that Stella was trying to use a baby to trap him.

Unfortunately, her plan had failed.

Now that the child was gone, it was simply fate. There was nothing to pity.

“I’ll arrange a VIP room for Gwen and keep her under observation for a couple more days, just to be safe,” Eugene said, smiling as he turned back to them.

Gwen nodded. “Thank you for the trouble.”

“It's no trouble at all. Your business is Hunter’s business, and his business is mine,” Eugene said, patting his chest proudly.

This clearly pleased Gwen. She smiled, her eyes drifting toward the doorway where she locked eyes with Stella.

Before Stella could react, Gwen looked away and smiled at Hunter. “Hunter, I remember Stella called you earlier. She sounded pretty urgent. Maybe you should call her back and check?”

At the mention of Stella’s name, Hunter’s brows knit into a tight frown.

Before he could speak, Eugene interrupted while looking over some charts.

“No need to bother with her. Stella harassing Hunter is nothing new. Over the years, she’s constantly calling him. Hunter’s been sick of it for a long time.

“Gwen, just let Hunter stay here and take care of you. Sooner or later, Stella is going to have to move out and give you back your rightful place.”

“Eugene, don’t talk nonsense,” Gwen said, pretending to scold him.

Eugene hurriedly waved his hands. “I’m not talking nonsense. That’s exactly what Hunter thinks.”

Hunter did not deny it.

He only frowned deeper.

Standing in the hallway, Stella felt the heavy silence. She let out a soft, self-mocking laugh.

It was fine.

That day would come very soon.