Chapter 2

"Maybe we should just call it off? Charlotte's pregnant, you know. If we keep going, she might really get hurt." Elena acted like she was pleading for me, but she couldn't help but smirk, her eyes practically shining with satisfaction at my pain.

Johnson let out a cold snort. "Suddenly she's scared now? Where was that attitude earlier?

"Let's teach her a lesson; maybe she'll finally stop acting like she's too good for everyone!"

Another wave crashed into me, throwing me hard against the side of the jet ski.

A stabbing pain ripped through me, my vision went black, and I could feel warm blood pouring out, nonstop.

Elena's eyes lit up, and she suddenly clapped her hands, laughing. "It's no fun just standing around watching!"

She pulled out several high-pressure water guns from her bag.

"Let's make it interesting! Whoever nails Charlotte with a water gun gets a big reward.

"Hit her belly and I'll give you 300 bucks!"

She added, her voice bubbling with excitement, and the others cracked up as they snatched up the water guns.

I stared at them in terror, then turned to Johnson, begging him, my voice shaking.

"Johnson! Don't you talk to our baby every night? You said you couldn't wait to be a dad!"

The waves splashed over my face, and I couldn't tell if it was seawater or tears.

"Last week... at the checkup the doctor said it's a girl. Didn't you always say you wanted a daughter?"

Johnson swallowed hard, his voice noticeably softer.

"Maybe we should just call it off? What's the point of this game anyway?" he said to Elena.

He turned away, avoiding my gaze, sounding hesitant. "How about we do something else?"

Elena flung the water gun aside, her expression turning downright scary.

"Johnson! What's your deal? You said you'd go along with it, now you're chickening out?"

She gave the water gun a vicious kick. "Forget it! I'm heading home."

Johnson panicked and quickly grabbed her wrist.

"No, no, I was just saying. I didn't mean it."

He flashed a sycophantic grin. "Come on, let's keep playing, please? Isn't that what you want?"

Elena shook off his hand, letting out a cold laugh. "Too late! I'm not in the mood anymore!"

She spun around to leave, and Johnson, sweating bullets, rushed after her and grabbed her shoulders, trying to stop her.

"Elena, don't do this."

He was practically groveling, totally forgetting about me, still adrift out at sea.

The agonizing pain in my belly kept intensifying, and I could feel my life draining away with every passing second.

Johnson whipped out the diamond necklace he'd been saving.

"Don't be mad, baby. I got this just for you!"

Elena's eyes sparkled, but she pretended not to care. "Hmph, how can I be sure it's real?"

"Of course it's real!"

Johnson slipped it around her neck. "You make it look gorgeous!"

Elena ran her fingers over the necklace, finally breaking into a smile. "Now that's more like it."

She shot me a smug look as I floated helplessly in the water. "So... are we still playing or what?"

Johnson caught on right away, plastering on his most eager-to-please grin. "Of course! However you want to play, it's your call!"

He turned and barked at me, "You heard her! You better play along!"

The pain in my belly was so intense I could barely speak, and Johnson and Elena were already back on the shore, water guns in hand, gearing up for another round of their twisted "game."

They blasted me with high-pressure water guns, the freezing jets hitting me right in the stomach. I couldn't see a thing—the pain was blinding.

"Johnson! Why?"

I crumpled on the jet ski, my voice raw with agony. "Why are you doing this to me?"

Johnson turned around, clearly annoyed. "What do you know?

"Elena's the only daughter of Price Group. If we keep her happy, her dad could just throw some cash our way and our company could go public."

He flashed a big smile and shoved a brand new water gun into Elena's hand. "Baby, this one shoots the farthest. Wanna give it a try?"

Elena tilted her chin up proudly, aimed right at my belly, and fired another shot.

The icy blast of water hit me, stabbing into my stomach like a dagger.

I was in so much pain I nearly passed out, but I could hear Johnson cheering and clapping from the shore. "Nice shot! Elena, you're killing it!"

Blood kept pouring out between my legs, turning the seawater around me a deep, crimson red.

I looked at the man who once swore he'd protect me, now just standing by, letting others torture his own wife and child right in front of him—all for money.

Seeing the commotion, everyone on the shore grabbed their water guns and started blasting away, joining the "game."

"Watch this! Right in the belly!"

"I got her too! Sorry, Charlotte!"

The beach was alive with laughter and shouts, with cries of "Bullseye!" and "Got her again!" ringing out over and over.

Elena got more fired up, grabbing the biggest water gun she could find and targeting my belly with relentless blasts.

I weakly raised my hand, my voice trembling as I pleaded.

"Please, stop... my baby..."

Tears mixed with seawater as I sobbed, "Johnson, save our daughter. I can't hold on much longer."

But Elena let out a cold laugh and turned to Johnson. "Don't get all soft now. Pregnant women are always so dramatic."

She stretched lazily. "Anyway, a bit of exercise just makes labor easier."

She passed the water gun to a coworker. "I'm beat; gonna take a break."

Johnson hurried over, eager to please. "I'll go with you to the hotel and keep you company."

He took Elena's bag for her, not even sparing me a single glance.

"No! Johnson, please. Don't leave me!" I cried out desperately, my voice shaking from the stabbing pain in my belly.

"I'm stranded out here all alone. I'm terrified... Please, I'm begging you—don't leave me."