Chapter 1

"Your Grace, that tonic was prescribed to keep Lady Charlotte's pregnancy stable. She's been weakened for days. Without it, she could lose the baby tonight."

The old steward's voice trembled as he stood there, clearly on edge.

Edward Kingsley didn't even look at him. He continued wiping his blade with slow, deliberate movements, as if none of this concerned him.

"Lose the baby? She's stronger than she looks. Two hours on her feet won't break her." He let out a quiet scoff.

"Isabelle only nicked her finger on a harp string and got a fright. That tonic will be better used calming her nerves. As for Charlotte..."

He set the blade aside and rose to his feet, a flicker of distaste crossing his face.

"Tell her to stop putting on a show. I have no interest in watching her use a child to win my attention. It's pathetic."

*****

The door was kicked open with a crash, and icy wind swept in, carrying snowflakes that whirled through the room.

I was curled up on the bed, my belly aching as if twisted by invisible hands, cold sweat soaking the hair at my temples.

Edward strode in, holding the empty porcelain bowl, and flung it to the floor without a second thought.

Shards scattered, one slashing across the back of my hand, but I couldn't even muster the strength to pull it away.

"Finished already?" Edward asked.

I looked up at him, the man I'd loved for seven years, and my voice was barely above a whisper. "Where's my tonic... Edward, the baby... the baby's moving..."

"The baby?" Edward repeated, his voice dripping with mockery. He looked down at me like I was the punchline to some cruel joke, a cold, twisted smile playing on his lips.

"Charlotte, how long are you going to keep up this act? The court physician already said Isabelle's health is fragile. She can't handle even the slightest scare. And you? You made up something like this just to snatch a tonic?" he asked.

I clutched the edge of the blanket so tightly that my knuckles turned white. "I'm not lying... I'm really bleeding... If you don't believe me, call the midwife to check..."

"Check what? To catch you hiding a sack of pig's blood between your legs?" Edward took a step back, looking at me like I was something filthy.

"Last time you claimed your chest hurt, but you just stole Isabelle's pill and fed it to the hounds. The time before, you pretended your leg was broken just so you wouldn't have to curtsy to Isabelle," he spat.

He leaned down, grabbing my chin with such force it felt like he might shatter my jaw.

"How could you, a venomous liar, ever be worthy of carrying my child? Even if you really are pregnant, it's nothing but a wretched spawn. Let it die!" Edward spat.

The icy chill in my heart cut deeper than the pain twisting in my belly. I stared into his eyes, once filled with tenderness, now only piercing coldness remained. "Edward... that's your own child..." I whispered.

"Shut up!" Edward jerked his hand away from me, wiping it off with a handkerchief in disgust before tossing it to the floor.

"Isabelle's had the tonic, and she's already asleep. I'm warning you. Keep quiet tonight. If you disturb Isabelle's rest, you'll have me to deal with!" Without another word, he turned to go.

The pain in my belly suddenly twisted even worse, and a hot stream of blood gushed out. In utter despair, I reached out and grabbed the hem of his cloak. "Save me... Edward, please... save our child..."

He stopped in his tracks, looking down at the hand clutching his cloak. It was the hand he once promised to hold forever.

The next moment, he raised his foot and mercilessly crushed it beneath his heel.

I bit back the scream, choking it down as cold sweat drenched my face.

"Don't touch me," Edward said, his voice icy. He strode out without a backward glance.

Outside, I heard Edward ordering the guards, "Lock the door. Since she loves putting on a show, let her act all she wants in there. No one is to let her out, and no one is allowed to call for a physician!"

"Yes!" the guards answered.

The sound of the bolt sliding home was especially clear in the cold night.

I slumped to the ground, blood seeping out beneath me and soaking my white skirt, blooming into a vivid crimson flower.

Just before I blacked out, the last thing I saw was his back, leaving without a hint of hesitation.

Edward was so cruel.