Chapter 5

I leaned against the wall, taking one agonizing step at a time to get out.

People around me whispered and pointed.

Words like "slattern" and "she got what she deserved" drifted clearly into my ears.

I was numb. I felt nothing.

I walked out of the hospital alone, standing helplessly by the curb.

Eventually, I called a cab and went back to the empty mansion.

Before I could even catch my breath, the doorbell rang violently.

I looked through the peephole. It was Evelyn.

I didn't want to open it, but she kept pressing the bell relentlessly.

Finally, I opened the door.

She was wearing Austin’s jacket, strolling inside as if she were the mistress of the house.

She deliberately adjusted her collar, revealing several dark hickeys on her neck.

That jacket was one I had just bought for Austin a few days ago.

She was marking her territory.

She smirked contemptuously, looking me up and down.

"Chloe, you didn't actually think Austin loved you, did you?"

"He only has eyes for me."

"Three years ago, if my family hadn't gone bankrupt and needed cash, do you think you’d ever have married him?"

"He thinks you're too dirty to touch. That’s why he let outsiders have you."

Her words were like poison-tipped daggers, stabbing straight into my heart.

She stepped closer, leaning in to whisper in my ear.

"You know what? Austin recorded everything."

"He filmed that entire week."

"If you don't behave, I’ll send the video to all the board members. I'll make sure you're famous."

I trembled violently, staring at her in disbelief.

Pure terror gripped my heart.

Seeing my fear, she looked incredibly satisfied.

But then, her eyes drifted to my flat stomach, flashing with jealousy and madness.

"But this stomach of yours... is really eyesore."

"If I can't have his baby, you sure as hell won't either!"

She grabbed my wrist with terrifying strength.

Before I could react, she pushed me hard toward the basement stairs.

Caught off guard, I screamed as I tumbled down the steep staircase.

A ripping pain exploded in my abdomen.

Lying on the cold concrete floor, I felt warm liquid gushing out from between my legs.

It was blood.

"My baby."

Just then, the front door opened.

Austin walked in, witnessing the scene.

I lay in a pool of blood, while Evelyn stood at the top of the stairs, looking panicked.

I reached out my hand toward him, begging for help.

But Evelyn was faster.

She immediately pointed at me, crying out, "Austin! It’s not my fault! She tripped and fell! She’s trying to frame me!"

Austin rushed down.

He stepped right over me—bleeding on the floor—and ran straight to Evelyn.

He didn't look at me once.

Then, he turned around and walked over to me.

"Slap!"

A stinging slap landed squarely on my face.

My head whipped to the side, my ears ringing violently.

He glared down at me, roaring, "Chloe! Have you had enough of your drama?!"

I stared at his furious face, and at Evelyn standing behind him, giving me a malicious smirk.

I laughed.

Blood and tears mixed together, tasting bitter in my mouth.

My consciousness began to fade.

Right before I blacked out completely, a memory surfaced.

I remembered the day I got married. My parents had handed me a key to a private deposit box.

They told me, "Chloe, this is your way out. If there comes a day when you feel like you have nowhere left to go, open this."

That was my last shot.