Chapter 3

Just as they were about to drag me back into the lab, I caught sight of Edward. I yelled his name, my voice hoarse and desperate, "Edward!"

But he didn't even look at me. All the warmth in his eyes was for Julia alone—like I didn't even exist anymore.

Edward said, "Claire, didn't I already tell you this place is full of radiation? What are you even doing here?"

Julia said, "I just heard a commotion and came over to see what was going on. Guess it was all just a misunderstanding."

Edward said, "That's good."

Desperate, I screamed out, "Edward, please, help me."

But the next moment, Edward simply slipped his arm around Julia and walked away—without so much as a glance at me. Even when their figures finally vanished, it was as if I'd never existed.

In that instant, every shred of hope was ripped away from me. They tied me up and dragged me back toward the lab.

I shouted, "No, Julia. I'll divorce Edward. Please—just let me go."

Julia, who had already walked off, turned and strutted back, smugly sneering at me.

She said, "Claire, in this world, the only thing you can count on is death. Once you're out of the picture, all our problems disappear."

And so, I could only watch helplessly as the lab doors slammed shut behind me.

This time, they shoved me right into the lab's experimental pod. I screamed until my throat was raw, but it was like shouting into a void—nobody heard, nobody cared.

I could feel death creeping closer, yet the tiny life stirring inside my belly still held on. I tried everything to pry open the pod, but it was hopeless—no matter how hard I fought, escape was impossible.

I was fighting for my life, hanging on by a thread.

All the while, Edward was off giving interviews.

Just ten minutes ago, breaking news came out of a world-renowned bioengineering center: Edward's lab had just pulled off an incredible feat in artificial embryo tech, and they'd already lined up a real-life test subject.

If the subject managed to give birth, it would be a total game-changer—a turning point in the story of human reproduction.

As soon as the story hit, reporters from every media outlet rushed straight to the Harris residence, all fighting to get an interview with Edward.

Edward got on the line with the lab, barking orders for them to get the test subject ready—they needed her prepped for the embryo project's livestream.

The lab worker practically fumbled the phone.

He stammered, "M-Mr. Harris, you'll have to ask Mrs. Harris about this."

Edward snapped, "Ask her? What's the point? Just do what I said and get it done. I'm not forgetting what I promised back then—this is all our work, so stop dragging your feet and bring the test subject over, now."

"But..." the lab tech muttered, sounding nervous.

Edward was in a rush to set up the livestream, even reaching out to a bunch of media outlets.

He arrived at the lab with reporters in tow. As the sealed doors swung open, every gaze turned to what lay inside—only to find the lab empty; not a soul was in sight.

The reporters couldn't wait and rushed in. Moments later, a female reporter let out a piercing scream.

She shouted, "Wait—there's someone in here."

All eyes—and every spotlight—locked onto a glass tank brimming with a sinister, unnatural liquid.

There I was, visibly pregnant, completely submerged in that chilling fluid, my skin ghostly pale and lifeless.