Chapter 5

I hated the hospital, so I insisted on going home early.

After being pampered by Ethan for a few days, Melanie’s attitude seemed to improve. The moment I sat down at the dining table, she walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron, carrying a bowl of soup.

"Chloe, we're family. Let's put the past behind us." Ethan smiled. "I gave Melanie a good talking-to. See how sweet she is now? She made this late-night soup especially for you."

I narrowed my eyes and smiled.

Ignoring the venom in Melanie's eyes, I took the poisoned bowl and ate every last drop without hesitation.

Then, gently rubbing my belly, I took Ethan’s hand. "This new maid is really something. Her cooking is fantastic."

Ethan’s smile faltered. "Chloe, she's my cousin. Stop calling her a maid."

I tapped my forehead, pretending to be ditzy. "Oh, look at my pregnancy brain, I totally forgot! But really, Melanie fits the role of a servant so well."

"If you ask me, she shouldn't bother looking for another job. She should just stay here and serve me. I really like how obedient she looks."

Melanie’s knuckles turned white. She glared at Ethan, begging him with her eyes to stand up for her.

But Ethan only pretended not to see, laughing it off and changing the subject.

After that, whenever I got the chance, I humiliated Melanie right in front of Ethan. Ethan endured it for the sake of the baby, which meant Melanie had to suffer in silence.

The next time she brought me the poisoned soup, I looked at her with a smirk. "So, you’ve accepted your place as my dog? How sweet. If you keep behaving and making me happy, I might let you stay."

"After all, kids love pets. When Ethan and my baby is born, I’m sure he’ll love playing with you."

With a loud clatter, she slapped the empty bowl out of my hand. Her eyes were bloodshot. "You think you’re actually going to give birth to this baby? Dream on!"

I gasped, feigning terror. "What do you mean? Did you put something in the soup?"

Melanie dropped the act entirely. "Yes, I did! But letting you miscarry quietly is too easy for you, Chloe. You should experience what it feels like to have your baby beaten to death inside you!"

She was shaking with a manic, crazed energy.

I played along, showing absolute terror. I reached for my phone to call 911, but Melanie lunged forward, snatched it away, and barked at the servants, "Tie her up!"

The servants surrounded me. I glared at them. "I am the mistress of this house! Who dares touch me?!"

Melanie laughed maliciously. "Mistress? To Ethan, you’re nothing but a breeding machine!"

"Listen up, everyone! Ethan said whoever disobeys me will pay. Help me tie Chloe up, and I will give each of you a million dollars! If anything happens, I’ll take the blame. We’ll just tell the police she fell down the stairs!"

Lured by the massive bribe, the servants chose her side and pinned me to the chair, tying me up tightly.

Melanie grabbed a heavy wooden rolling pin. To prevent external bruising, she placed a thick folded blanket over my stomach, and then slammed the wooden pin down onto my belly with all her might.

The blinding, agonizing pain made my body spasm. I screamed in agony.

Melanie had completely lost her mind, striking harder and harder.

"Ethan doesn't love you! He's only nice to you because of this stupid baby! Once this baby is dead, he’ll go back to being my Ethan!"

Slowly, I felt a warm stickiness spreading between my thighs.

I looked down. The carpet beneath me was stained a brilliant, horrible crimson.

Only then did I stop pretending. I burst into loud, hysterical laughter.

Melanie had just personally murdered her own child. I couldn't wait to see Ethan’s reaction.

Right on cue, the front door slammed open, and Ethan rushed in.

He was trembling from head to toe. He approached me slowly, his hands shaking, not even daring to touch me.

"The baby... the baby—"

I cut him off, my voice dripping with venomous joy. "The baby is dead, Ethan. Melanie beat it to death with her own hands."

"I guess that big surprise you planned for your little lover... is ruined."