Chapter 3

I walked alone for a long time through the drizzling rain.

At some point, a trail of blood began streaking across the wet ground behind me.

The cramping in my lower abdomen grew more and more obvious. My whole body felt increasingly heavy.

Marcus's villa was in a remote location. There was no way to catch a cab nearby.

In my daze, the screech of brakes pierced the air. Muddy water from the roadside splashed all over me.

A Cayenne stopped not far away. The window rolled down, revealing Marcus's panicked voice.

"Wendy, what are you doing?"

I turned to look at him and called out for help.

"Help... help me..."

After I spoke, everything went black and I collapsed toward the ground, struggling to breathe.

Marcus's face went deathly pale with alarm. He pushed the car door open, about to come help me.

Vivian's sweet voice complained from inside.

"Wendy, even if you're mad at me, you can't take it out on your baby. If something happens to your child, that maniac Xavier will never let the Grayson family off."

Marcus's movement to exit the car stopped.

When he looked at me again, only disgust remained in his eyes.

"Wendy, I never realized you were such an actress. What's that on the ground? Ketchup, right? You almost fooled me!"

With that, he slammed the door shut forcefully.

I weakly shook my head desperately, using every ounce of strength to try to explain.

But in the end, I didn't even have the energy to speak.

Vivian laughed mockingly.

"Wendy, you don't actually think you look like some fragile beauty right now, do you? You just look dirty and pathetic, like an idiot."

"Marcus, I'd advise you to control her better, so she doesn't keep acting stupid. If she really does something extreme someday, it'll be too late..."

I couldn't hear the rest.

A ringing filled my ears. I couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed completely.

Marcus observed me with furrowed brows, a hint of internal struggle occasionally flashing in his eyes, but ultimately replaced by coldness.

"Stop pretending even now!"

Blood flowed more and more freely, gradually staining the ground beneath me into a red puddle.

I kept praying in my heart, hoping he would change his mind and take me to the hospital.

But all I got in return was choking exhaust fumes.

"Vivian's in a hurry to get to her concert, so I'll let you off today!"

"Since you love acting so much, go ahead and put on a show for yourself!"

The Cayenne's departing taillights became the last image I saw before losing consciousness.

The pungent smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils as I frowned and slowly opened my eyes.

My hand instinctively moved to my lower abdomen. The cramping pain had completely disappeared.

"You're still young. You can have children again in the future."

The doctor shook her head sympathetically.

"Thank goodness a kind person got you to the hospital in time. A few minutes later, and not even a miracle could have saved you."

I weakly thanked her.

Even though I'd already decided to terminate this pregnancy, my heart still ached uncontrollably.

"Baby, I'm sorry. But I absolutely cannot let that maniac Xavier be your father. You'll understand Mommy, won't you?"

The moment I closed my eyes, tears seemed to break free from all restraint, pouring out recklessly.

My phone suddenly rang.

Seeing "Marcus" displayed on the screen, I didn't hesitate to hang up.

Now that the deception was exposed, I would settle accounts with him one by one.