Chapter 3

Selena's POV

That night, Damien didn't take me home.

He took me directly to his private villa in the suburbs.

That place used to be my favorite secret hideaway.

But when I pushed open the door, there was a pair of bright high heels in the entrance hall.

My heart sank.

"Damien, you're back? The baby kicked me today."

Violet, wearing a sheer silk nightgown, came running out.

The moment she saw me, her smile froze, then turned somewhat awkward.

"Selena... I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming too."

Damien frowned. "Why are you here?"

Violet's eyes reddened, her voice soft and sweet. "I was scared staying alone at the main estate. Mrs. Foster said I could stay here for a few days. There's security."

Damien looked at me, his eyes showing a trace of helplessness and appeasement.

"Go to your room and rest first. I'll handle this."

I said nothing and walked straight into the living room.

Delicate desserts were on the table, along with a "Expecting Mother's Handbook."

These things pierced my eyes.

I felt like an intruder disrupting this family of three's happiness.

"Damien, this is what you call 'reducing contact'?"

I turned around, my voice so cold it had no inflection.

Violet spoke up first. "Selena, don't blame Damien. I know my status is lowly, that I don't deserve to give birth to this child. But I really can't bear to part with it... If you're willing, I can give you the child. I'll disappear..."

As she finished speaking, she actually collapsed onto the floor beside the couch, clutching my dress hem and crying pitifully.

Damien immediately bent down to help her up.

"Get up. You're pregnant. What are you making a scene for?"

His movements were so careful, as if afraid of hurting Violet's belly.

I looked down at them, finding the scene absurdly ridiculous.

"Damien, let's cancel the wedding."

I calmly spoke these words.

The air froze instantly.

Damien's hand supporting Violet suddenly tightened. He looked up, his eyes filled with hostility.

"Selena, dare to say that again."

"I said, I want to call off the engagement."

I spoke each word deliberately.

"I'll find a way to repay the debt my family owes you. Consider these three years as my debt to you. I'll even give you my life if needed. But this marriage-I can't stay in it for another second."

Damien laughed coldly. He stood up and strode over to me.

He reached out and gripped my chin tightly.

"Call off the engagement? Selena, have you forgotten that your brother is still in a lab in New York? With just one word from me, his future-even his life-won't be safe."

My whole body trembled.

I looked at Damien, my eyes filled with terror.

This man would use my only family member as leverage just to keep a fiancée he didn't even respect.

"Damien, you're insane."

"You drove me insane." Damien lowered his head and kissed my lips roughly.

It wasn't a kiss.

It was devouring, a declaration of ownership.

It tasted of punishment.

Violet sat on the floor to the side. From the corner of my eye, I saw her staring at us intently, a flash of intense malice in her eyes.