Chapter 1

Johnson Sparrow picked the North Sea Bay for the company retreat, all because his first love, Elena Price, wanted to see a jet ski show.

Elena suggested a jet ski race for everyone, but I was nine months pregnant and just wanted to rest at the hotel.

Johnson blew up at me. "It's just a race. Do you have to embarrass me in front of the whole company?"

I was shaking with anger and slapped him right then and there.

"Are you crazy? I'm pregnant! Doing something so risky could make me miscarry!" I snapped.

Johnson froze for a second, then immediately apologized and brought me some medicine. "I'm sorry. I'll take you back to the hotel," he said.

But when I came to, I realized I was strapped to a jet ski, with massive rocks looming beneath me.

The next moment, Elena floored it, and I was hurled straight into the raging waves, my body plunged halfway into the water.

Gasping for air as I swallowed water, I struggled to press the emergency button on my watch. "Dad, have the coast guard lock down this area. Someone's trying to kill me. I want them dead!"

Elena let out a soft laugh and turned to Johnson.

"What does Mrs. Sparrow's dad do? Sounds like he's a big shot!"

Johnson didn't say a word, but his assistant was laughing so hard he was bent over.

"Her dad's just a retired old man who spends his days walking dogs in the park."

He even made a little gesture, pretending to feed a dog.

The whole crowd burst out laughing.

Elena hooked her arm around Johnson's, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.

She said, "Charlotte's not seriously losing her mind from being pregnant, right? Is she just talking nonsense now?

"Come on, let's bring her back. We don't want anything bad to happen to her."

Johnson chimed in right away, "See how thoughtful and caring Elena is?

"Not like some people who act all fragile and make a fuss just because they're pregnant."

I gripped the jet ski's handlebars, tuning out their jeers.

The waves kept crashing over me, the jet ski bouncing all over the place until I felt sick to my stomach.

The safety belt was digging into my belly, hurting like hell, but I just clenched my teeth and hung on.

I gripped the handlebars for dear life and shouted toward the shore, "Johnson! I'm about to go into labor! This is insane."

The waves crashed against my face. "Did you forget? I'm terrified of water!"

Memories suddenly came rushing back.

Back in college, our class took a trip to the beach for spring break.

Johnson was collecting seashells when a wave came out of nowhere and swept him away.

Without a second thought, I dove into the water and hauled him back to shore, fighting against the waves.

He was drenched, kneeling in the sand, clutching my hand and sobbing like a child.

"Charlotte, you saved my life! I swear I'll treat you right for the rest of my life. I'll never let you suffer, not even a little!"

After that, I became terrified of water—even stepping into a bathtub made me panic.

His promises were still ringing in my ears, but now they were almost laughable.

Now, nine months pregnant, I was being tossed around by the waves, completely at the mercy of the sea.

And on the shore, the man I once saved had his arm around another woman, laughing like he didn't have a care in the world.

I could even feel my baby kicking restlessly inside me.

Johnson's face grew darker and darker. He clearly thought my "uncooperative" attitude was making him lose face in front of everyone.

Elena immediately hooked her arm through his, trying to smooth things over.

"Oh, come on, Charlotte's just a little timid. She'll get used to it with a bit more practice.

"Didn't you always say she's actually pretty great? She just needs a little more guts like the younger crowd. Today's the perfect time for her to toughen up!"

Elena's sycophantic words made me want to throw up.

Ever since Elena started at Johnson's group, she'd become Johnson's poster child for the "modern, independent woman."

He was always in my ear, saying, "Look at Elena—she's so talented, knows how to work the room, and gets things done. You should really take a page from her."

But he seemed to have forgotten what he used to say back when he was trying to win me over.

"I love how quiet and easygoing you are. You're nothing like those drama queens who are always making a scene."

Now, all the things he once loved about me somehow turned into flaws he wanted me to fix.

Another wave slammed into me, tossing me around like a rag doll.

The jet ski jerked violently, and my belly crashed hard against the console.

A sharp pain instantly radiated from my abdomen through my whole body.

I cried out in agony, breaking out in a cold sweat all at once.

My baby could feel the danger too, kicking up a storm inside me.

My hands trembled as I gripped the jet ski, trying to keep it steady—but another massive wave crashed in, and the jet ski almost stood straight up.

Johnson's coworkers were standing on the shore, smirking and jeering as they shouted at me.

"Mrs. Sparrow, is this jet ski ride exciting enough for you? Having a blast yet?"

"Look at you, so brave on your first try! That's really something!"

Elena hooked her arm through Johnson's, her voice sickly sweet. "Charlotte, how's it feel? Isn't it super exciting?"

Johnson shot me a cold, dismissive glare.

"Every time we do a company retreat, you're always moaning about the heat or how tired you are. Now that you finally get a chance to do something fun, you just chicken out. You'll never be one of us."

He turned to Elena.

"See? That's the difference. When you first tried jet skiing, you really let loose. Not like her, always killing the vibe."

Elena sighed, pretending to be all caring.

"Oh, Charlotte's just a bit of a scaredy-cat. But that's not gonna work—there are plenty more company retreats coming up. You can't just hide out in the hotel every time, can you?"

My belly twisted with sharp, stabbing pain, like something was clawing at me from the inside.

Warm liquid trickled down my thighs, mixing with the seawater.

My baby was kicking like crazy inside me, every movement making my vision go black from the pain.

I reached out desperately toward the shore, my voice hoarse and shaking.

"Johnson, help me! I don't even know how to control this thing! Where's the brake?

"My belly hurts so much. The baby... I'm scared I'm going to lose the baby!"

My face was as pale as a sheet, and I was drenched in cold sweat.

Johnson just stood there with his arms crossed, watching me struggle with a cold, cruel smirk on his face.

Elena hesitated, tugging at his arm.