Chapter 3

Back then, Adrian's new favorite was a dancer.

He spoiled her so much he practically held her on a pedestal.

When I found out I was three months pregnant, I thought I could use the baby to bring back a shred of the affection he once had for me.

But he refused to even see me.

Later, I drank my custom prenatal herbal supplement just as I always did. Soon after, agonizing cramps tore through my abdomen, and I lost the baby.

I was in so much pain I could barely stand.

Adrian, who hadn't shown his face in days, stormed into the room and threw me to the floor.

"You're a monster," he spat, pointing a finger at me. "If you hate me, take it out on me! Why kill our child?"

The toxicology report later revealed that the supplement had been laced with plant-based toxins known to induce contractions and bleeding.

I explained it to him a thousand times.

Adrian refused to investigate. Instead, he said a desperate person would spin any lie to save themselves.

He didn't know I was pregnant again.

Two months ago, he had gotten drunk and taken his rage out on me.

But I didn't want to tell him, and there was no need to.

Talia was already pregnant.

My child meant absolutely nothing in his eyes.

"You make me sick. Let's go, Talia."

Adrian scoffed coldly and turned to leave.

Talia didn't move.

She noticed my fingers, red and swollen from soaking in cold water, and suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Maris, your poor hands are so swollen. Does it hurt?"

Before I could pull away, her sharp acrylic nails dug viciously into my knuckles.

A sharp pain pierced straight to the bone.

"Let go!"

I yanked my hand back hard.

Talia used the momentum to throw herself to the floor, making it look exactly like I had shoved her.

"Maris!" she immediately started sobbing. "I was just trying to help! Why would you push me?"

The commotion instantly drew Adrian back.

"Talia!"

Ignoring my pale face, he rushed over and scooped Talia into his arms.

"Adrian..." Talia clutched his shirt, crying with a pained frown. "Please don't be mad at Maris. She didn't mean it..."

"You vicious bitch." Adrian's face darkened instantly. "You did that on purpose."

He handed Talia over to a nearby staff member, turned around, and seized my shoulder.

"I didn't touch her!"

That was all I managed to say.

Adrian dragged me forward and hurled me toward the stone steps.

My back slammed brutally against the sharp edge of the stone.

The blunt force trauma to my spine nearly knocked me unconscious on the spot.

A second later, a violent, twisting agony ripped through my lower abdomen.

Warm blood began to trail down my legs.

I knew, right then, that I couldn't keep this baby either.

Before my consciousness faded, only one thought remained in my mind.

Adrian. When you find out you killed your own child with your bare hands... will it break you?

Chapter 3

Back then, Adrian's new favorite was a dancer.

He spoiled her so much he practically held her on a pedestal.

When I found out I was three months pregnant, I thought I could use the baby to bring back a shred of the affection he once had for me.

But he refused to even see me.

Later, I drank my custom prenatal herbal supplement just as I always did. Soon after, agonizing cramps tore through my abdomen, and I lost the baby.

I was in so much pain I could barely stand.

Adrian, who hadn't shown his face in days, stormed into the room and threw me to the floor.

"You're a monster," he spat, pointing a finger at me. "If you hate me, take it out on me! Why kill our child?"

The toxicology report later revealed that the supplement had been laced with plant-based toxins known to induce contractions and bleeding.

I explained it to him a thousand times.

Adrian refused to investigate. Instead, he said a desperate person would spin any lie to save themselves.

He didn't know I was pregnant again.

Two months ago, he had gotten drunk and taken his rage out on me.

But I didn't want to tell him, and there was no need to.

Talia was already pregnant.

My child meant absolutely nothing in his eyes.

"You make me sick. Let's go, Talia."

Adrian scoffed coldly and turned to leave.

Talia didn't move.

She noticed my fingers, red and swollen from soaking in cold water, and suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Maris, your poor hands are so swollen. Does it hurt?"

Before I could pull away, her sharp acrylic nails dug viciously into my knuckles.

A sharp pain pierced straight to the bone.

"Let go!"

I yanked my hand back hard.

Talia used the momentum to throw herself to the floor, making it look exactly like I had shoved her.

"Maris!" she immediately started sobbing. "I was just trying to help! Why would you push me?"

The commotion instantly drew Adrian back.

"Talia!"

Ignoring my pale face, he rushed over and scooped Talia into his arms.

"Adrian..." Talia clutched his shirt, crying with a pained frown. "Please don't be mad at Maris. She didn't mean it..."

"You vicious bitch." Adrian's face darkened instantly. "You did that on purpose."

He handed Talia over to a nearby staff member, turned around, and seized my shoulder.

"I didn't touch her!"

That was all I managed to say.

Adrian dragged me forward and hurled me toward the stone steps.

My back slammed brutally against the sharp edge of the stone.

The blunt force trauma to my spine nearly knocked me unconscious on the spot.

A second later, a violent, twisting agony ripped through my lower abdomen.

Warm blood began to trail down my legs.

I knew, right then, that I couldn't keep this baby either.

Before my consciousness faded, only one thought remained in my mind.

Adrian. When you find out you killed your own child with your bare hands... will it break you?