6

She was crying her eyes out, “Elijah, my face hurts so much. Will I be disfigured?” “Waaah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hit Josie like the script called for. She has the right to be mad at me, but it still hurts so much, Elijah...” Elijah pulled her into his arms. His expression was uglier than she'd ever seen. When he was truly furious, he didn't erupt violently—just darkened to the extreme. He lifted his gaze to Josephine: “If you insist on testing my limits, I'll make you regret it.” That look sent chills down anyone's spine. But Josephine showed no sign of retreat or fear. Soon enough, she learned exactly what Elijah meant. She was removed from the film's cast, and Elijah issued a blacklist against her within the industry. The blacklist would last five years. At the peak of her career, a five-year ban was tantamount to ending her professional life outright. Though Josephine had already considered leaving the industry, his ruthlessness in this matter still left her heart cold. Did he truly care nothing for their years of affection? Everything felt hollow and laughable to Josephine. That very night, she returned to pack her things. What she could take, she took. What she couldn't, she left behind. Soon, the home she and Elijah had shared for three years stood half-empty. Standing in the empty room, she suddenly recalled the day they first moved in. Back then, Elijah still cared for her. He'd massage her when she was tired; take her out for lavish meals when she was unhappy; kiss the corner of her mouth before leaving for work on any ordinary day. Those were Josephine's happiest days. Until Winifred reentered Elijah's life. Nothing could ever be the same again. Josephine woke up from her memories and was about to leave, but when she reached the door, she felt dizzy and had a dull pain in her abdomen. Before fainting, she made a phone call with her last bit of willpower and accidentally dialed Elijah's. But after just one ring, the call was abruptly hung up. Josephine lay on the cold floor for a very long time before slowly regaining consciousness and dialing 911. The test results came back. She was pregnant. This child was completely unexpected. Her first thought was to terminate it. But the doctor said her physical condition was poor; if she terminated this pregnancy, she might struggle to conceive again in the future. Josephine was in a dilemma. With her ability, she could have raised the child well, but...... He is also Elijah's child. She was lost in thought in the corridor of the hospital. Behind her, a voice tinged with schadenfreude rang out: “What are you doing at the hospital? Got a terminal illness or something?” Josephine turned to see the haughty Winifred. “What's it to you?” Josephine didn't want to engage further. She turned to enter the ward, only to be yanked back by Winifred's hand. “It's none of my business,” Winifred hissed venomously into her ear. “I'd love to see you die sooner rather than later. That way, Elijah would be all mine.” Josephine gave a cold laugh. “Don't worry. I have no interest in competing with you for a man.” With that, she shook Winifred off. Though she hadn't used much force, Winifred stumbled backward dramatically, landing half-propped on the floor with a thud. The next moment, Elijah emerged from around the corner. He had witnessed the entire scene. He strode over, raised his hand, and shoved Josephine hard backward. Her back slammed against the wall. As she slid down the wall, a sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen. Across from her, Winifred wept bitterly. “Elijah, I saw Josie was in the hospital too. I just wanted to check on her. I didn't expect... she dislikes me so much. Am I really that hateful?” Elijah carefully wiped away her tears. His gaze toward Josephine was icy cold. “Do you have to keep targeting Winnie again and again? It seems that five years is still not enough. So let's do it for ten years. Don't even think about appearing on the screen for the next ten years!” With that, he scooped Winifred into his arms. But as he stood up, he caught a glimpse of a faint trace of blood between Josephine's legs. Elijah's steps faltered slightly. Josephine clutched her stomach, sweating with pain, yet still managed a faint smile: “Elijah, if I told you I'm preg...” “Elijah, my stomach hurts so much. I hate my period. Can you take me to see a doctor again?” Winifred hugged Elijah, cutting Josephine off. So Elijah didn't hear another word Josephine said. He carried her away decisively.