Chapter 2

I tried to stop it, but he took me to see it firsthand. “She failed to watch you and let you near alcohol, she deserves it.” His words decided life and death.

The bloody scene made me nauseous, and I rushed to the restroom. He looked at me with genuine concern, a stark contrast to his office demeanor.

“Let's go to the hospital. Seeing you like this, I feel bad too.” I stared at his seemingly deep affection and nodded.

At the hospital, Cora and Jude were at the obstetrics entrance. The next second, he told the doctor to perform amniocentesis. I realized their intention.

The doctor, shocked, said, “The child is just forming, anesthesia can't be used, it will harm the mother.”

“Do it anyway,” his words pushed me into despair. As he approached, I hoped for support. Instead, he reassured, “It's just to check the child's health.”

I almost applauded his acting skills.

Inside, I heard him eagerly tell the doctor, “Check our DNA too.”

Outside, people whispered, “No wonder she came for DNA so early. She must've done something shameful.”

“No anesthesia, it's definitely not her husband's child.”

The doctor's demeanor changed to rough indifference.

Enduring pain, I slowly exited. The doctor said the report would take a week.

Finn wanted to carry me to the car, but Cora left without looking back. Jude followed her, and Finn tossed me aside to chase Cora.

Clutching my belly, I struggled to the hospital entrance, blocked by passersby.

“How much for a night? Pregnant women must be fun.”

“She’s free!”

I boarded the waiting car, enduring the insults.

Returning home, I found my beloved dog dead in the rain. I ran to hold it. In the distance, I saw Finn bandaging Cora's wound.

After hearing from his men, he glanced at me before returning to Cora. He brought her over, looking down at me.

“That mad dog bit Cora, so it’s silenced.”

Red-eyed, I said, “It’s always been gentle, never bitten anyone.”

Cora weakly caressed her bitten hand, “Nora, are you accusing me of falsely blaming the dog?”

“I don’t even know if I should get a rabies vaccine.”

Finn waved, and the dog was thrown into the trash. I screamed, “No.”

“Nora, it’s just a dog. If you want, I’ll have someone buy another.” Then he left with Cora.

The dog was a birthday gift from my parents. I’d told him. Now, because of Cora, it could never accompany me again.

I ignored them, retrieving the dog from the trash, giving it a proper burial in the rain.