Chapter 1

I was seven months pregnant when my husband, Ronald Olsen, insisted on a C-section, regardless of the risk to our baby and me.

It was all because the child he had with his first love, Hattie Gordon, needed my baby's cord blood as a last hope.

I begged him, "I'll give you the cord blood, I promise. Just let my baby come to term..."

Ronald cut me off, his voice cold and harsh, "Kyla, what right do you have to negotiate with me? If it weren't for my child with Hattie, you and that baby in your belly wouldn't even be here."

I was dragged into the operating room, and that night, I hemorrhaged and went into shock.

My baby, born too early and too weak, didn't even make it two hours before leaving this world.

While I was fighting for my life, Ronald was with Kyla, cheering for their son's survival.

Completely broken inside, I looked at Elsie Olson, my mother-in-law, the one by my side through all this.

I asked sadly, "You once told me that if he ever betrayed me, you wouldn't stop me from leaving. Do you still mean it?"

Elsie squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with hesitation and pain.

She was still trying to defend Ronald.

Elsie said, "Kyla, you're still weak. What Ronald did about the baby was wrong, and I'll give him a piece of my mind. You've always been the daughter-in-law I value most. Ronald's just been confused by that woman. He doesn't see how wonderful you are. I'll make him come to his senses, I swear. He..."

Just then, the TV in my hospital room suddenly switched to a news broadcast.

There was Ronald, with his arm around Hattie, her face streaked with tears, escorting their little boy, barely two years old, back to his hospital room.

The news anchor was narrating, "Today marks the successful surgery of the Olson Group's heir. Mr. Olson and Mrs. Olson have been with their son ever since he fell ill. Now, with the operation a success, the couple is overcome with joy, crying tears of relief. We wish the Olson family of three happiness and hope the young heir makes a speedy recovery..."

Then the anchor turned to Ronald for an interview.

He asked, "Mr. Olson, after everything you've been through, is there anything you'd like to say to your wife or your child?"

Ronald turned to Hattie, not bothering to correct the anchor's mistake.

He just went along with it, his voice full of emotion, "Hattie, you've been through so much. From now on, I'll be your rock, and our son's too. You can always count on me."

Hattie's eyes filled with tears, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a loving kiss.

The camera lingered on them, making sure they captured every intimate detail.

My lashes quivered as I tried to hold back my emotions.

It turned out all the talk about just signing the papers with no wedding or going public was all so he could play husband and wife with Hattie out in the open.

Elsie quickly switched off the TV, her face burning with both shame and fury as she turned to me.

She said, "That useless son of mine! Even now, he's still hanging around with that vixen. Kyla, don't get upset. I'll call him right away and make him come to see you. If he dares to refuse, I'll drag him here myself, or break his legs if I have to!"

My face was blank as I closed my eyes, resting my hand on my belly beneath the blanket.

Just hours ago, my baby was still there.

He was such a little troublemaker, always kicking and squirming whenever I drifted off to sleep.

But he was already gone.

No matter how I moved my hand over my belly, there was no response anymore.

When my fingers touched the bandages on my belly, my heart clenched hard.

*****

As my lashes trembled, tears rolled down from the corners of my eyes.

The call went through, but Elsie just waited as it rang.

No one answered.

Elsie's face was full of guilt as she tried to comfort me, her voice gentle and coaxing.

She said, "Kyla, I know how much you love him. If I didn't, I never would've tried to get you two together. For my sake, could you please give him one last chance?"

My face was calm, almost numb. "The baby's gone, and my heart died with him. I hope you'll keep your word and let me leave."

This time, Elsie could only stay silent.

I was staying in the same hospital as Hattie's son.

By evening, Ronald came over.

But it was only because Elsie had to drag him over herself.

When Ronald stormed into the hospital room, I was propped up against the pillows, gazing out the window. He kicked the table over without a second thought.

He barked, "Kyla, you're just an orphan. Without my family's charity, you'd be nothing. You latched onto me like a parasite, buttering up my mom so she'd play matchmaker for us. All you ever cared about was money, right?"

With that, he yanked out a bank card and flung it onto the bed. "Take it. Is this what you wanted all along?"

I shot him a cold look, snatched up the bank card, and chucked it right at his face.

He was too slow to dodge, and the card left a bloody scratch on his cheek.

Ronald shot me a death glare, jaw tight with rage. "Kyla, are you out of your mind?"

Something flickered across my pale face.

I had pure mockery in my voice as I spat, "Is this what you think my baby's life is worth?"

Ronald's rage vanished in an instant. His eyes narrowed to pinpricks, a flash of guilt crossing his face as his fists clenched tight at his sides.