Chapter 5

"Lock her in the bathroom."

"Get two servers to clean up the urine stains on the carpet. It's disgusting to look at."

Two lower-status lackeys grabbed my arms and dragged me into one of the bathrooms in the private room.

I called out loudly to everyone present for help.

"Call 911! Please, someone help me call 911..."

One of the escort girls looked worried and spoke up softly.

"Mr. Simon, she really looks uncomfortable. Maybe let it go? She's pregnant, after all."

Carl grabbed the girl's hair and slapped her.

"What are you? Your turn to question my buddy's decision?"

The girl didn't dare speak again, forcing a smile on her stiff face.

Several more experienced escort girls laughed.

"Sweetheart, you're still young. These are just tactics wives use to control their men. I bet if Mr. Simon took her home, she'd be jumping around immediately."

Kelly was extremely pleased, pretending to advise me.

"Rachel, your husband's doing this for your own good. Letting you stay in the bathroom to clean yourself up so you don't embarrass yourself."

Kelly twisted her graceful waist and sat back on Simon's lap. She looked back at me and mouthed silently.

"You lose."

Outside the door, singing and dancing continued. Inside, I was left alone in misery.

I leaned against the wall, sitting on the cold floor, using all my strength to pound on the door.

"Help..."

The door closed, isolating my already faint cries for help.

Like countless iron nails driving into my body, I recalled the lessons from prenatal classes.

The contractions came closer and closer together. I slowly adjusted my breathing, trying to rely on myself to deliver the baby safely.

Calm down, Rachel. You can do this.

The baby needs you.

Tears and sweat mixed together. My throat was hoarse from shouting until I almost lost my voice.

The area below my lower abdomen felt like it was being torn apart. The air was thick with the heavy smell of blood.

I don't know how much time passed, but the situation was getting worse.

It hurts so much... the baby won't come out.

Panicked and frightened, I gritted my teeth and felt the blood beneath me with my hand.

Trembling, I used my finger to write on the frosted glass door of the bathroom.

"SOS"

To attract attention, I slapped several bloody handprints on the door.

Someone who had just come out of the adjacent bathroom was startled and shouted loudly.

"Simon, something's wrong!"

"There's blood all over the bathroom door. Rachel might really be giving birth."

Hearing someone notice something wrong, hope kindled in my heart.

Baby, hang in there.

Drunk Simon laughed mockingly.

"What blood? She probably snuck a bottle of red wine in there. The baby's only seven months. How could it be born this fast? Let her act."

The person was a bit scared and continued to persuade.

"Simon, why not open the door and take a look? Better safe than sorry."

Simon didn't care. Kelly in his arms said sweetly.

"Rachel played this game before, insisting Simon fire me. You don't know her—she's just upset Simon didn't celebrate New Year's with her!"

The person outside stopped insisting. The light in my eyes dimmed little by little.

The cramping pain from my belly brought me back.

No, I can't give up.

Baby, Mommy will save you.

I took off my coat and used my finger to write a distress message on it with blood.

With all my might, I struggled to climb onto the toilet and pushed open the ventilation window above, trying to throw my coat downstairs.

But the severe pain made me unable to straighten up. The clothes got stuck on the window.

My lips were bitten through as I finally managed to throw the clothes down.

Just then, my foot slipped and I fell backward.

"Bang"—a loud crash.

The huge noise caught the attention of those outside.

Everything went black before my eyes. I vaguely heard Simon's voice.

"Rachel..."