Chloe jolted awake from a nightmare soaked in blood. For a split second, she almost believed it was just a really long, twisted dream.
"Finally up? Wow, you're one tough one."
That voice—so familiar and dripping with spite—was one Chloe could recognize even in her sleep.
"Sorry to disappoint you by surviving." Her throat was raw, like she'd been swallowing crushed glass, but that didn't stop her from snapping back.
Irene stood there in hospital garb, chuckling softly. She didn't go on mocking, though. Instead, her hand moved to press lightly against Chloe's lower belly.
"Shame about the baby, though."
What?!
In a flash, Chloe remembered the scalding rush of warmth between her legs right before she blacked out. No… no way—
Her fingers trembled as she moved them to her stomach. It still kept the faint curve of what had been, but under her hand now was only skin and emptiness.
"M-My baby… w

"Huh? Irene? What are you doing here?" Hank stood by the door, gauze still wrapped around his hand.
"I heard something happened to Chloe, so I came to check on her," Irene stepped closer, gently grabbing Hank's arm. Her words sounded like concern, but the tone held a hidden edge. "Don't be too hard on her, okay? The baby's already gone—she's suffered enough."
Chloe watched the two of them standing so close, almost like a picture-perfect match—but strangely, that old bitterness in her chest was gone.
"Hank, let's get divorced."
She used to think she'd never say those words first. And if she ever did, it'd be with her heart shattered, barely able to breathe.
But now? Saying it felt like lifting a weight off her shoulders.
Guess when your heart's been broken enough, it just goes numb. She'd lost. Not to Irene, not to anyone else. Just to herself—for thinking Hank would ever love her back.
H

Chloe panicked. She was still pregnant—she couldn't handle Hank forcing himself on her in a fit of rage. Her stomach was cramping already. She had to protect this baby.
"Hank, I was wrong, okay? Please, let me go! There's a baby in me, he's hurting—can't you hear him? Can we just go to the hospital first?"
She tried to play the baby card, hoping it'd soften him a little. No matter how much Hank hated her, the child was still his. He couldn't be that coldhearted.
But she was wrong. Again.
He yanked her dress aggressively, no hesitation, no warmth—unzipped it and forced himself in.
He moved recklessly, zero regard for her pain, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look at him.
"Look at you, Chloe. You're the kind of woman who pretends to say no while your body's all eager—it's disgusting."
Tears streamed down her cheeks. She swore she could feel the baby inside screaming for help.
Mom, save me. I don't wanna die.
The sharp pain from her womb made her heart plummet. But to him, it was just her reaction—only encouraging him to go even rougher.
"Why are you crying now? Isn't this what you've always wanted?"
Hank cruelly wiped her tears, forcing her to smile while he continued, finally growling low as he finished and pulled back a bit.
Chloe grabbed his sleeve desperately, her eyes full of fear and pleading. The usual pride was gone. She buried the last bit of her self-esteem.
"Hank, I'm begging you for the first time. Please, for this baby—your child too—save him. It really hurts."
She didn't even finish before he pushed in again, lifting her legs over his shoulders.
"Hurts? Good. Let's see how it feels—since Irene's in pain too, you can just join her."
And he started again, rougher than before.
At first, Chloe screamed and begged through tears. But by the end, her eyes were lifeless. Her body soaked in sweat, limp and cold.
The physical pain was nothing compared to what she felt inside.
Images of all the times she'd tried to appease him flashed in her mind, each one mocking her for being so pathetic.
She felt warmth between her legs and slowly shut her eyes, her voice completely flat: "That's enough."
Hank looked at her half-lidded. How could it be enough? She had no idea what he was going through.
She knew he loved Irene. Why the hell did she have to push herself into his life? Why'd he have to fall for her, of all people?
"If I could do this all over again, Hank... I wish I never met you."
She stared blankly at the car roof. She was exhausted. So tired she just wanted to sleep—maybe she'd wake up, and all of this would be just a nightmare.
Her eyelids drifted shut. A faint smile crossed her lips, almost like she was finally free.
That's when Hank snapped back to his senses.
He felt something warm where their bodies met. Blood. Mixed with something else. Sliding slowly down her thighs.
He froze.
What had he done?
She was pregnant!
His gaze dropped to the deep red stain soaking into the wool seat cover. He looked like he'd just been slapped awake.
He reached out, hands shaking, and pulled something over her bare legs. Climbed to the driver's seat, fumbled to get the key in as panic took over.
He hated her so much—so why now did the thought of her slipping away scare him half to death?
He ran every red light on the way, heart pounding.
When he pulled her from the backseat, her lower half soaked in red, he could barely hold her up.
"Doctor!" he shouted.

Chloe jolted awake from a nightmare soaked in blood. For a split second, she almost believed it was just a really long, twisted dream.
"Finally up? Wow, you're one tough one."
That voice—so familiar and dripping with spite—was one Chloe could recognize even in her sleep.
"Sorry to disappoint you by surviving." Her throat was raw, like she'd been swallowing crushed glass, but that didn't stop her from snapping back.
Irene stood there in hospital garb, chuckling softly. She didn't go on mocking, though. Instead, her hand moved to press lightly against Chloe's lower belly.
"Shame about the baby, though."
What?!
In a flash, Chloe remembered the scalding rush of warmth between her legs right before she blacked out. No… no way—
Her fingers trembled as she moved them to her stomach. It still kept the faint curve of what had been, but under her hand now was only skin and emptiness.
"M-My baby… where is my baby?"
She was trying so hard to stay calm, but the panic and dread in her voice told the

Chapter 15