Chapter 2
All I could do was curl up, feeling like my whole body was shutting down, like I was about to disappear completely.
Jasper walked in, holding a medical report.
He didn't even look my way. He went straight to Cecilia's bedside, took her hand, and spoke with a gentleness I'd never heard from him before.
He said, "Cecilia, we're having a baby. Please, wake up for me, okay?"
That was the moment my heart shattered completely.
Three months into my pregnancy, Cecilia woke up.
That day, Jasper was over the moon. He picked her up and spun her around the hospital room several times.
The whole hospital was buzzing about how Mr. Hogan's fiancée, who'd been in a coma for three years, had woken up by sheer willpower.
Everyone said it was their love that worked the miracle.
No one even mentioned me.
It was like nobody remembered there was someone in the next room, hunched over the bed, throwing up until she thought she'd die.
Cecilia was taken back to Jasper's villa. I ended up there as well.
The so-called reason was that it would be more convenient to look after me.
The first time I saw Cecilia at the villa, she was sitting in a wheelchair, her face still pale.
When she saw me, she gave me a gentle smile.
She said softly, "You must be Layla, right? Thank you. Thank you for doing so much for Jasper and me."
Her hand gently rested on my belly. "From now on, we'll take care of this baby together," she said.
I looked into her eyes.
For a moment, I almost believed her.
That night, it was just the two of us at home. Jasper was at the office for a meeting.
Margaret, the housekeeper, brought over a bowl of freshly made chicken soup. Cecilia took it with a gentle smile and said, "Layla, pregnancy is tough. You should eat more and take care of yourself."
But in the next moment, her hand tilted, and the entire bowl of soup spilled all over me.
The boiling soup soaked right through my thin maternity dress, burning me so badly I couldn't help but scream.
The bowl crashed to the floor and shattered into pieces.
Cecilia's expression shifted instantly, and tears streamed down her face.
She said, "I'm so sorry, Layla. I didn't mean to do it! My hand hasn't regained its strength yet."
She started to get out of her wheelchair to pick up the shards.
"Let me help you clean up," she offered.
Despite the burning pain, I quickly stopped her. "Don't move. I'll do it."
I knelt and started picking up the shards one by one.
The sharp porcelain cut my finger, and a bead of blood welled up.
Cecilia watched me, a barely noticeable smile playing at her lips.
When Jasper came home, this was the scene waiting for him.
I was kneeling on the floor, disheveled and miserable.
Cecilia sat in her wheelchair, tears streaming down her face like a broken doll.
"Jasper, it's all my fault. I accidentally spilled the soup and ended up hurting Layla," she sobbed.
Jasper rushed over, wrapped her in his arms, his voice shaking with worry.
"It's not your fault. How could I ever blame you?" he murmured.
He didn't even look at me. Holding Cecilia close, he went straight upstairs with her.
I stayed kneeling there, lost and helpless, until Margaret came over and gently reached out to pull me up.
"Ms. Morton, are you alright?" she asked softly.
I shook my head.
The cut on my finger had stopped bleeding, and the blood was already crusted over.
The burn on my skin still throbbed with pain. But even that pain was nothing compared to the ache in my heart.
From that day on, Cecilia never stopped with her petty schemes.
Whenever Jasper was around, Cecilia always put on a caring front, acting like she was worried about me.
But behind closed doors, she tormented me in every way she could.
I was constantly nauseous and couldn't stand anything greasy.
But she'd have Margaret cook beef stew and avocado toast every single day, piling it all in front of me and forcing me to eat.
If I refused, she'd turn to Jasper and start crying.
"Jasper, is Layla still mad at me? She won't even touch the food I put on her plate," she'd say, her voice trembling.
Jasper's brows would knit together, his eyes cold as he looked at me and ordered, "Eat it."
I had no choice but to force myself to swallow each bite, fighting back the nausea.
My stomach churned like a storm.
The moment he turned away, I'd bolt to the bathroom and throw up until I was dizzy.
One time, as I was heading downstairs, Cecilia's wheelchair came out of nowhere and slammed right into me from behind.
I was sent flying, tumbling down the stairs in a mess.
Thank God. The baby was safe.
I was in the hospital, a dull ache throbbing in my lower belly.
Jasper stood by the bed, his face darkened.
Cecilia sat in her wheelchair, sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath.
She said, "Jasper, I swear I didn't mean to do it. Please, you have to believe me.
"I just saw her looking unsteady and wanted to help her. I don't know what happened. The wheelchair just... it got out of control."
Jasper looked at me, his eyes full of suspicion and impatience.
He said coldly, "Layla, Cecilia's still not fully recovered. Can't you just behave yourself and let her have some peace?"
I looked at him, my heart turning to ice.
He was doubting me.
He really thought I threw myself down the stairs just to set Cecilia up.
I let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down my face.
"Jasper, is that really how you see me? Am I that cruel in your eyes?" I asked, my voice trembling.
He didn't say a word.
His silence was all the answer I needed.
I finally understood. I finally saw what I meant to this man. I was just a baby-making machine.
Cecilia was the one he kept close to his heart.
No matter what she did, he'd always believe her, always take her side without question.
I gave up on him completely. My heart was done.
At seven months pregnant, I went into labor early. The baby was born prematurely.