Chapter 3

My younger brother, Lucas, was the only person besides my parents who loved me unconditionally.

In my past life, when he found out I was paralyzed, he had beaten Zach to a pulp.

He had told me, "If that jerk doesn't treat you right, divorce him. I'll take care of you for the rest of my life."

Tragically, Lucas had worked himself to death. To pay for the $50,000 down payment and wedding expenses demanded by his girlfriend's family, he worked consecutive night shifts and suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at his desk.

His girlfriend, Amelia, fell into severe depression. On her way to visit his grave, she drove into a landslide.

The rescue team said she could have easily driven away to safety, but she had sat there, completely still, as if waiting for death.

When they finally cleared the debris, they found a bottle of poison and a suicide note in Amelia’s car.

She had planned to take her own life at Lucas's grave all along.

Only then did I realize that some people truly would die for love.

This time, I would never let death tear them apart.

When I got back home, Zach was sitting on the couch working on his laptop.

I walked over quietly and wrapped my arms affectionately around his neck.

To be honest, in that exact moment, I wanted to choke him to death.

Zach shrugged me off with a huff. "Hmph."

So disgusting.

I had to endure it.

"Don't be mad. You know pregnant women get mood swings. My parents already scolded me. Are you really going to be mean to your pregnant wife?"

I pressed his hand against my stomach, my voice dripping with sweetness. "Stop being angry, okay? If you keep acting like this, I'm going to ignore you."

Zach’s tone softened. "I swear, I don't know what to do with you. Do you know how hurt I was when you said those things today? How could you be so cruel to say you didn't want our child? If our son heard you, he'd be devastated. When he's born, I'm definitely going to tell him he owes his life to his dad."

I looked down, hiding the burning hatred in my eyes. "I was wrong... Please forgive me."

When I looked up again, my eyes were glistening with tears.

Heartbroken, Zach wiped the tears from my face and pulled me into his arms. "I forgive you this time. But don't you dare say those things again. You know how much I love you. I just lost my temper today because I was so shocked."

He cupped my face, his eyes filled with lust.

My stomach churned, and I dry-heaved.

He gently patted my back, all romantic tension instantly vanishing.

Once I calmed down, I touched my still-flat stomach.

"Actually, there is something I need your help with."

"Go on. Since you're carrying the next generation of the Carter family, I'll do whatever I can."

"I went to see my parents today. They said Lucas is getting married, but they're still short on the down payment and wedding costs. They wanted to borrow some money from us. I figured we're all family, so there's no need to call it a 'loan.' I just agreed to give it to them."

Zach shrugged casually. "Oh, that's fine. How much do they need? I'll transfer it to you."

"$120,000."

Zach froze. The casualness vanished, replaced by a suppressed, irritated tone. "That much? Are you sure your brother isn't getting scammed? And that is not 'a little.' My money doesn't grow on trees, Chloe."

I pretended to be angry, my brow furrowing deeply.

"I knew it. You don't love me."

I stood up, stormed into the bedroom, slammed the door, and began to sob loudly. "I already promised my parents! If you don't give me the money, how am I supposed to face them? You jerk! I'm ignoring you! I'm going to the clinic tomorrow to get rid of this baby!"

Inside the room, I started throwing and smashing random things to make a scene.

Zach’s annual salary was well over $150,000. He had money, but he was incredibly cheap.

Or rather, he just felt I wasn't worth spending money on.

This time, I was going to bleed him dry.

"Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're pregnant!"

"Sigh... fine, I promise you! Just don't hurt the baby!"