Chapter 3

To protect the baby, I swallowed my pride, knelt, and did as he demanded.

Blake bent down, looking triumphant.

"Alex, when I begged you to give up the engagement all those years ago, did you ever imagine you'd see this day?"

Back then, Blake had come to me, claiming he and Serena were deeply in love, asking me to voluntarily break off the engagement.

The Sterling-Sterling alliance was an arrangement decided by our elders, involving significant business interests. If I were to back out, the blame would fall entirely on my family, and we'd face severe repercussions. So, I refused his request.

I hadn't expected him to hold a grudge until now.

I had no mind for old grievances at the moment. I just begged, "Please, call an ambulance. The baby needs to be checked..."

Serena kicked me in the back. "Alex, you're truly despicable! You'll do anything for this bastard!"

I collapsed to the floor, my abdomen hitting the cold, hard surface, burning with pain.

"You said... you'd let the baby go..."

Blake's tone was dismissive. "I said I'd let him go, but Serena didn't, did she?"

"You used this bastard, parading him around with the Sterling name. You think I'd let you off? No way!"

Serena kicked my abdomen again. A fresh wave of agony swept over me, and I curled up on the ground.

Feeling the baby's cries growing weaker in my arms, I looked up in despair, my eyes burning with hatred.

"Serena, Blake, you will regret this!"

Blake stood beside Serena, his gaze sinister. "Serena, he still refuses to admit his mistake. Looks like he hasn't been taught enough of a lesson!"

Serena scoffed. "Oh, I'd like to see who regrets what!"

"Blake, find some rope."

Blake understood immediately and quickly returned with a long rope.

I dragged my body backward, my eyes wide with terror. "What are you trying to do?"

Their excited faces were my only answer.

They threw the baby onto the ground, tied my hands and feet with the rope, and then dragged me from the living room out the door, leaving a long trail mark on the floor.

At the edge of the swimming pool, Serena kicked me into the water. My limbs were bound, I couldn't move, and I sank in despair.

The pool water covered my mouth and nose, and a sense of suffocation washed over me. Just as I thought I was about to die, Serena pulled the rope, dragging me out of the water.

"Alex, do you admit your mistake? Do you dare to betray me again?"

I gasped for air, but then I heard the baby's cries, left in the room, growing fainter.

Though I knew the baby's chances of survival were slim, I wouldn't give up the last shred of hope.

I pleaded again, "I admit my mistake, I won't ever dare again. Please, spare the baby."

"The baby needs medical attention, please, I beg you..."

Serena spat, "You pathetic wretch, still thinking about that bastard! Looks like you have no remorse!"

"Today, I will not let this bastard leave the Sterling family alive!"

With that, she raised her foot again, intending to kick me back into the pool.

I closed my eyes in despair, my heart filled with the fear of drowning.

Just then, the front door of the Sterling family mansion burst open.

Victoria rushed in, her face etched with anxiety, and shouted furiously, "Stop!"