Chapter 1

I was nine months pregnant, and today, I suddenly started feeling off.

Turning to Edward Lane, who was right next to me, I said, "Can you take me to the hospital?"

He finished his phone call, grabbed the hospital bag from the living room, and was already heading out the door.

"Edward, wait up. I haven't changed yet," I called after him.

He paused at the door, glancing back at me, his face tense with urgency. "Emily is in labor. She didn't have anything ready, so I'll use your bag for now."

I leaned against the wall, my voice weak. "What about me? I'm bleeding."

He slipped my phone and the keycard into his pocket. "You're not due yet. Quit acting pitiful to get my attention. Just be good and stay home. I'll come back and keep you company."

The security door slammed shut behind him.

I dragged my heavy body to the front door and tried to turn the doorknob.

He'd locked it from the outside.

There was no way to open it from the inside.

The pain in my lower belly suddenly hit me hard.

A warm liquid gushed down my thighs and splattered onto the wooden floor.

My water broke.

Edward had taken my phone, so I could only crawl desperately toward the landline in the corner of the living room.

As my fingers brushed the receiver, I realized the phone line had been cleanly severed.

It looked like it had been cut.

The pain kept coming in waves, cold sweat pouring down my forehead as I slid down the wall and slumped to the floor.

Driven by pure survival instinct, I clung to my last bit of strength and crawled toward the balcony.

My apartment was on the second floor, and right below the balcony was the complex's landscaped courtyard.

I shoved the window open and yelled down to the ground below. "Help. Somebody, please. Call 911."

My cries drew the attention of a security guard on patrol.

He looked up, and his flashlight beam hit me right in the eyes. "Mrs. Lane, don't make a fuss.

"Mr. Lane told us before he left that you've been moody during your pregnancy and have always been yelling.

"He also said you've been thinking you're about to go into labor these days, so we shouldn't pay attention no matter what we hear."

My nails screeched against the aluminum frame as I gripped the window for dear life.

"I'm telling you, my water broke." I cried out. "Please, I'm begging you. Call an ambulance. I'm about to have the baby."

The guard shook his head. "Mr. Lane said if anyone tries to call for help or an ambulance for you, it's interfering in your marriage, and he'll come after us.

"Go back inside and rest, okay? Don't put us in a tough spot."

With that, he switched off his flashlight and walked away.

Watching his back disappear, I couldn't make a sound.

Edward had left me with no way out.

He'd made sure no one could help me, snuffing out the slightest bit of compassion.

I staggered back inside, my vision blurring.

The baby inside me seemed to sense the danger and started kicking frantically.

My knees buckled, and I collapsed beside the coffee table, knocking over the fruit plate.

Glass shattered everywhere.

Broken glass and fruit were scattered all over the floor.

I couldn't die.

I reached out and picked up a sharp piece of glass.

I wanted to bash the door open.

Even if it meant tearing my hand apart, I was getting out of here.

Suddenly, the red light on the security camera in the living room ceiling lit up.

Edward's cold voice came through the smart speaker. "Stella, are you done making a scene yet?"

His voice echoed through the empty living room, sounding cold and superior, as if he were looking down on me.

I looked up and glared at that blinking red light.

He was actually watching me through the cameras right now.

I raised my blood-soaked hand and pointed it straight at the camera. "Edward, I'm bleeding. I'm going into labor."

Edward's voice came through the speaker, full of disdain. "Here we go again. Last time, you pretended to be bleeding with red ink. So what's your stunt this time?

"Emmy is suffering like hell right now, and you're still playing the victim, trying to get people to feel sorry for you.

"Stella, I'm so disappointed in you."

My whole body was convulsing from the pain, and blood was pooling beneath me. "Edward, for the baby's sake. Please, I'm begging you. Call an ambulance."

Edward was silent for a couple of seconds on the other end of the camera.

Then he let out a sigh. "Stella, you'll make up any lie to get me to notice you, won't you?

"I looked over your checkup results before I left. The doctor said everything is fine. You're not due for another two weeks.

"Now you're faking as if you were dying on the floor, so I'd leave Emmy and come running back to you, right?"

I was gasping for air. "I'm not lying to you. My water broke. The baby could be in danger. He might not be getting enough oxygen.

"Edward, this is your baby."

Emily's weak, muffled whimpers came through the speaker.

"Emmy, is it hurting again? The doctor is almost here," Edward said, his voice soft and comforting. Then, his voice turned icy cold as he spoke into the mic again. "Stella, Emmy is an orphan. I'm all she has got.

"You've got a good family, plenty of money, and free time. So why are you trying to take away what little she has?

"She needed to borrow your hospital bag, and you're stooping this low to make me come running back to you?

"You're downright cruel."