Chapter 2
A group of servants barged in and forced me down, their hands gripping me so hard that I could barely breathe.
I fought desperately, kicking and thrashing, trying to break free.
"Back off! No one is allowed to hurt my baby," I screamed.
"Aaron, if you dare kill my baby today, I swear even if I die, I'll come back and haunt you all," I shouted.
Aaron slapped me hard, the sound echoing through the room.
My ears buzzed, and I tasted blood in my mouth.
Aaron withdrew his hand, his eyes sinister and cold.
He snapped, "You're impossible! I tried to reason with you, but you wouldn't listen. You wouldn't take the easy way, so now you'll get the hard way.
"Autumn, think about your family. Your father and brother are missing on the battlefield. Your family is already on the verge of collapse.
"Keep this up, and I'll divorce you! Then you'll drag your family's reputation through the mud."
At the mention of my family, my blood ran cold.
Seeing me freeze, Aaron let out a cold snort and gestured for the servants to move in.
The bowl of pitch-black medicine was brought right up to my lips again.
Just then, Isabelle suddenly let out a soft cry. She clutched her chest and collapsed into Aaron's arms.
"Aaron... my chest hurts so much... Autumn wouldn't be cursing me in her heart, would she..." Isabelle whispered.
Aaron instantly panicked, scooping her up and rushing out of the room.
"Call the imperial physician," he shouted.
At the door, Aaron paused, turning back to shoot me an icy glare.
He snapped, "You must drink this medicine. If I return and find the child still here, you'll be sent to the ancestral hall to reflect on yourself.
"Watch her closely. Make sure she drinks it. If she doesn't, you'll be punished."
The servants nodded quickly, and once Aaron left, they finally turned to face me.
"My lady, we're sorry," one of them said.
I looked at them through my tears, feeling utterly helpless.
"Can you let me talk to my baby for a moment? I promise I'll drink it after," I pleaded.
The servants glanced at each other nervously, and one said, "My lady, please don't put us in a tough spot."
I managed a bitter smile. "I won't make things hard for you."
Finally, they set the bowl down, but they didn't leave. They just stood nearby, watching me closely.
I knelt on the floor, gently and reluctantly running my hand over my swollen belly, my tears already dried up from crying too much.
"I'm sorry, baby. Mother failed you. I couldn't protect you. If you ever get another chance at life, please find someone who can truly keep you safe," I whispered.
As night fell, heavy snow began to pour outside the window.
Inside the room, I sat quietly, bracing myself for the pain that was sure to come.
The door creaked open, and Isabelle slipped in alone.
But now, there wasn't a hint of weakness left in her.
She strode in, looking lively and healthy, casually twirling a jade pendant in her hand.
I'd picked out that jade pendant for my unborn child, but somehow it ended up in her hands.
"Autumn, the floor's freezing. Why don't you get up?" Isabelle said.
She towered over me, a wicked grin tugging at her lips.
"Give me back that jade pendant!" I shouted.
Desperation surged through me as I tried to get up and grab the pendant back.
But Isabelle stepped back, her fingers loosening as she carelessly released it.
The fine white jade crashed to the floor, splintering into countless fragments.
"Oops, my hand slipped," Isabelle said.
She covered her mouth, pretending to be shocked, but her eyes were full of triumph.
"Autumn, honestly, it's just a dead thing. Besides, it's not like your doomed baby will ever use it," Isabelle sneered.
I glared at her, wishing I could wipe that smug smile right off her face.
"Isabelle, you faked your illness to trick Aaron. Aren't you afraid you'll get what's coming to you?" I spat.
Isabelle let out a sly laugh, covering her mouth as she crouched down and leaned in.
"Autumn, you really are too naive," she whispered.
"Aaron believes me, not you. If I say I have a heart condition, then I do. If I say your baby's a jinx, then that's what he is.
"You know what? I never needed your baby's placenta for any medicine.
"I just... don't want you to have Aaron's child.
"From now on, any child Aaron has will come from me."
She reached out, tracing a threatening line across my belly with her sharp nails.
"Heard it's a boy, huh? What a pity. He's already fully formed, but soon he'll be nothing but a bloody mess."