Chapter 2

Nadia's heart sank. Why was her period suddenly starting now? She rushed to start the car. But by the time she reached halfway down the mountain road, cold sweat was pouring down her back. The pain was unbearable. She hit the brakes and quickly pulled out her phone to call Wendy. "Wendy... are you back yet? Can you come… pick me up?" "Nad? What's going on? Where are you?" "I'm on the road near Ford Manor…" The piercing sound of ambulance sirens tore through the stillness of the night. Thankfully, Wendy had called for help just in time. By the time Nadia had arrived at the hospital, it was already 1:00 a.m. After a series of examinations, the doctor told her that she had a miscarriage. She had been six weeks pregnant. Nadia lay on the hospital bed. Tears slipped silently from the corners of her eyes. She felt so bad for the baby she never even got the chance to meet. Wendy's fury ignited like wildfire. She cursed, "That bastard! Doesn't he know that you were pregnant? And he still had someone drag you to Rosewood Residences and sleep with you?" Nadia's period had always been irregular. She had no idea she was pregnant. Thinking back, it must have happened last month. Last month, she hadn't been sent to Rosewood Residences. She had gone to Aldovia. Callum had been there on a business trip. He had her flown over, and she stayed with him for three days before returning. He had coldly warned her then that she had already used up the quota for the following month. But that month, he still sent Geoffrey to pick her up. Just then, a female doctor came in, holding a medical report. "You've been extremely careless. You were pregnant but still taking birth control pills? The baby could've been saved." Birth control pills? Both Nadia and Wendy froze in place. She and Callum had never used protection. How could there be birth control pills in her system? Wendy was practically shaking with rage. "That scumbag! He secretly gave you birth control pills just so he could be with that bitch Brittany! If he didn't want a baby, he could've just said so! Why is he hurting you like this?" Nadia's heart throbbed with unbearable pain. Was it really Callum? After every night they spent together, he would have the staff bring her oatmeal or soup. Was that where he hid the birth control pills? Last month in Aldovia, he hadn't had the chance to give her the pill, so he slept with her this month just to make sure she took it? Nadia felt like all the strength in her body had been sucked out. "Wait here. I'm going to Ford Manor right now. They will pay for the baby's life." Wendy was shaking with rage. She grabbed her phone and was ready to leave. "Wendy." Nadia's voice was hoarse and fragile. "Don't go." "Nad!" Wendy turned and looked at her with disbelief. "He killed your baby! And you just want to let it slide?" Nadia slowly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, only ice and resolve remained. "We've already decided to divorce. I don't want any more ties to him." She paused, looked at Wendy, and said firmly, "But I'll find out who caused me to lose the baby. I won't let them get away with it." Her gaze was so cold and lethal that even Wendy shivered. Now, this was the Nadia she knew. Soft on the outside but tougher than anyone deep down. Wendy set her phone down and gripped Nadia's icy hand tightly. "Don't worry. We'll get revenge. No matter who did it, they'll pay dearly." … Later that night, thunder crashed outside, waking Nadia with a start. She lay there with her eyes open. As she stared at the dim nightlight, her thoughts drifted far away. She thought back to when she was 12 years old. She had pursued Callum for 12 long years and had come to his side through countless hardships. She had given him everything she had to give. And now, Nadia had accidentally gotten pregnant. It really was an accident. Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face. It was as if God had torn away her last armor, exposing the rawest parts of her. Her daytime strength had collapsed into the dark. Getting pregnant had been the last thread tying her to their three-year marriage. But now, the baby was gone. It was gone. Nadia covered her face and cried uncontrollably. The night was as dark as ink. Outside, rain poured in torrents, drumming wildly against the window in a frenzied rhythm. … Callum shot upright in bed, gasping for breath. His forehead was covered in sweat. It was that dream again. He was submerged in freezing water, suffocating and sinking deeper no matter how hard he struggled. The darkness had swallowed him whole. The feeling of suffocation was so vivid that it left him shaken. Frustrated, Callum raked his fingers through his hair and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. He stared out at the rain-soaked city. But even the storm couldn't wash away the growing dread in his chest. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and downed it in one go. The burning liquid seared his throat, yet it couldn't numb this growing panic and unease. It felt like something had happened—something that unsettled him deeply. His chest ached faintly, and he was at a complete loss. … The next morning, Nadia was wheeled into the operating room. Cold metal instruments, blinding lights, and the lingering scent of disinfectant surrounded her. The doctor looked at her chart with a frown. "There are still remnants in your uterus. We'll need to perform dilation and evacuation. You do know you have a genetic condition and are allergic to most anesthetics, right? So we'll have to proceed without any." It meant she had to endure the bone-deep pain while staying almost fully conscious. Nadia nodded. Her body trembled from fear and cold. She clenched her teeth, and her nails dug deep into her palms. The moment the cold instrument entered her body, a searing, tearing pain exploded inside her. "Ugh…" A muffled cry escaped her lips. Sweat instantly soaked her forehead. It hurt. It hurt a lot. It felt as if someone was shredding her insides. Tears streamed uncontrollably, mixing with sweat and blurring her vision. Nadia bit her lip so hard that it bled. The metallic taste filled her mouth. She had to remember this pain. She had to remember who made her suffer like this and the searing pain of losing her baby. Whoever was behind it, she would never forgive them. The pain came in waves, crashing over her nerves again and again. She felt like a tiny boat caught in a raging storm, on the verge of being torn apart at any moment. Eventually, it was too much, and she blacked out. … At the same time, in the CEO's office of Ford Group, Callum stared at his phone. His frown grew deeper and deeper. It was already 10:00 am, and he still couldn't reach Nadia. Her phone was off. Was she ghosting him? They had agreed that today was the day she would sign the divorce agreement. Was she trying to bail at the last minute? Anger flared in Callum's chest as he tossed the phone onto the desk. For some reason, he had been on edge since morning. His thoughts were constantly disrupted by some looming sense of dread. Could it be Nadia? What trouble could she possibly be in? She was probably just trying to win his sympathy again or stall the divorce. Callum was curious to see what trick she would try next.