Chapter 3

The doctor stood by my bed, his face pale and defeated. He couldn't meet my eyes.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered with a trembling voice. "The delay... the hemorrhaging was simply too severe. We couldn't save the baby."

The tears had completely dried up in that hallway.

I just stared at the ceiling. My baby was gone. The tiny life I had protected for eight months, the child I had knitted sweaters for, stolen because Yohan needed a signature to protect his mistress.

I reached over and ripped the IV from my arm. Blood dripped down my wrist, but I didn't feel it. I dragged my broken, bleeding body out of the bed.

I leaned against the cold walls of the corridor, leaving a faint trail of red on the white tiles. I had to find him.

I found them in the VIP maternity suite at the end of the hall.

The door was slightly ajar. Inside, the room was filled with expensive flowers and balloons. Diana was sitting up in a plush bed, holding a newborn baby wrapped in a blue blanket.

How did she deliver such suddenly? Is she even due?

"Look at him," Diana cooed, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Say hi to DaDa."

"DaDa's right here," Yohan whispered.

I pushed the door open. It hit the wall with a dull thud.

They both looked up. Yohan’s smile vanished instantly, replaced by that familiar, cold irritation.

"What are you doing out of bed?" he demanded, stepping in front of Diana to shield her from my sight.

"My baby is dead," I said. My voice was completely flat, devoid of any human emotion. "Our child just died, Yohan. Because you blocked the door."

Diana let out a small, theatrical gasp and clutched the fake baby closer. "Yohan, she's scaring me," she whimpered.

Yohan rolled his eyes, letting out a heavy, impatient sigh.

"We were never meant to have that baby, Lily," he stated coldly. "It was weak. Now go back to your room and stop causing a scene. Don't upset Diana. She just gave birth to my son."

Before I could speak, rapid footsteps echoed down the hall.

A nurse rushed into the room, her face frantic, her chest heaving.

"Miss Lancaster!" she gasped, looking at me. "It's your parents. They... they've flatlined. Both of them."

The room went dead silent.

I stared at the nurse, my brain refusing to process the words.

"What?" I choked out.

"The ventilators," the nurse stammered, tears in her eyes. "They were turned off."

I slowly turned my head to look at Yohan.

He didn't look surprised. He didn't even look guilty. He just casually adjusted his cuffs.

"I ordered my men to unplug them," he admitted.

My breath stopped. "I signed the paper," I whispered. "You promised."

"Diana was having nightmares," Yohan said, glancing back at her with a protective look. "She was terrified they might wake up one day and try to sue her for the crash. I couldn't have my new family living in fear. I had to protect them."

My soul shattered completely.

There was no pain left. Just a cold, bottomless abyss.

I just turned around and walked out of the room.

I walked past the nurses, past the security guards, out into the cold night air of the hospital courtyard. I pulled out my blood-stained phone.

I dialed a number I had memorized years ago but never dared to call.

He picked up on the first ring.

"Lily," Jackson's deep, gravelly voice came through the line.

The ruthless American billionaire. The corporate raider who had loved me since we were teenagers, the man I had rejected for a simple life with Yohan.

"Jackson," I said, my voice empty. "I have nothing left."

"Where are you?" he asked. No questions. No hesitation.

"City General."

"Give me ten minutes."

Exactly ten minutes later, the roar of engines shattered the quiet night.

A fleet of armored black SUVs surrounded the hospital entrance. Dozens of men in tactical gear poured out, securing the perimeter.

The door of the lead vehicle opened.

Jackson stepped out. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, his eyes dark and lethal as they locked onto my blood-soaked gown.

He didn't say a word. He just walked up to me, took off his coat, and wrapped it around my freezing shoulders. He lifted me into his arms.

"They took everything," I whispered against his chest.

Jackson's jaw tightened, a terrifying, cold fury radiating from him.

"Then we will take their lives," he promised.