Chapter 1
When I was five months pregnant, Aaron Harrington walked into my room, holding a bowl of herbal medicine.
"Autumn, Isabelle once saved my life. Now her heart condition has worsened, and only the placenta from your unborn child can serve as the key ingredient to save her," Aaron said.
"Why? Aaron, he's your child too." I stared at him in disbelief, feeling a cold chill seep into my heart.
Aaron glared at me, his tone dripping with contempt. "Father Lawrence said this baby is a jinx. If you give birth, it'll doom the whole family. So instead of letting it ruin us, we might as well use it to save Isabelle. At least this cursed child can do something useful."
"Aaron, you're really going to kill your own child for a concubine? Do you even deserve to be called human?" I shouted.
"Child? No, it's nothing but a cursed thing," Aaron spat.
*****
"Humph, Aaron, you really called the baby in my belly a cursed thing?" I let out a mocking laugh.
I was shaking all over, staring at the man I'd shared a bed with for three years, unable to believe this was the person I thought I knew.
He said, "Father Lawrence said it himself that day. If this child is born, it will doom both parents and even the whole Harrington Manor.
"Instead of letting it destroy the family, it's better to end it now and use its placenta to cure Isabelle's heart condition. That's the only use for this cursed thing."
Aaron shot a look of pure disgust at my belly, as if he couldn't wait for the baby to die on the spot.
"Aaron, you're actually believing someone you barely know? Who knows if Isabelle bribed him?" I snapped.
"Enough, Autumn," Aaron cut me off, his tone icy.
"I can tolerate your bad temper most days, but Isabelle's life is hanging by a thread. Are you seriously going to let her die out of jealousy?
"Drink it now. Don't make me get rough."
Aaron stared at me, his eyes devoid of any warmth, only a bone-chilling coldness.
I cried, "Jealousy? Aaron, this is your own flesh and blood. I'm already five months pregnant. He's already kicking inside me. That's a living, breathing soul.
"You can't just condemn this child to die because of some stranger's words."
Aaron shoved me hard, and I slammed into the corner of the table. A sharp pain shot through my waist and belly.
"You still claim you're not jealous? Isabelle wouldn't even hurt an ant. How could she possibly harm anyone? But you're the one with a poisonous heart, always spewing lies," Aaron spat.
"Aaron, let's split up. I'll take leave with my baby, so your family won't be dragged down anymore," I pleaded.
"Split up? Autumn, even if you leave, that child in your belly is still Harrington blood. It'll still curse us. So today, it has to die," Aaron said.
He stared at my belly, his face twisted with pure disgust.
"Even the cruelest beast won't kill its own child. You can't do this," I pleaded.
I clutched my belly, shaking my head over and over.
"Autumn, no matter what, you have to drink this medicine today," Aaron said.
"I won't..." I started.
Just then, a delicate cough came from outside the door.
Isabelle Reed stepped out, wrapped in a fox fur cloak, her face as pale as a ghost.
She leaned weakly against the doorframe, tears shimmering at the corners of her eyes, looking heartbreakingly fragile and pitiful.
"Aaron, don't force Autumn," Isabelle whispered with coughs.
"I'm unfortunate. I don't blame Autumn. If saving me means hurting the relationship between you and her, I'd rather die," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
With those words, she looked like she was about to slam herself into the pillar.
"Isabelle!" Aaron shouted.
His face changed instantly. He rushed over and swept Isabelle into his arms, his eyes brimming with anguish.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Your life is more precious than anything. Don't even mention that cursed thing. No one is more important than you to me," Aaron said.
But when he turned to me, his face shifted back to that cold, predatory glare.
"Autumn, how long are you going to keep making a scene? Are you only satisfied if you push Isabelle to die?" Aaron snapped.
"Someone! Hold Autumn down and make her drink the medicine."