Chapter 6

The nutritionist and maternity nurse Dominic had hired for Pearl had been fired. "Strangers don't care the way family does," Pearl said sweetly. "I'm carrying the future heir of the Steele family. Of course, I'll feel safer if my sister takes care of me herself." Lila swallowed her frustration and told herself she only had one more week to endure. That night, Pearl said she was craving chicken soup and ordered one of the maids to stand there and make sure Lila prepped everything herself. "Don't turn the lights on," Pearl added. "Dom works hard for his money. We should save on the electric bill." Lila let out a laugh in disbelief. "It's so dark in here. How exactly am I supposed to see what I'm doing?" She was about to put the cutting board down and walk away when Pearl said in a voice dripping with threat, "You really don't care about Mom's keepsake? If you tick me off, I can't promise what I'll say to Dom." Lila's patience finally snapped. "Pearl, she was your mom, too!" "I'm also her daughter! But why did she only care about you?" Pearl shot back. Lila knew it was pointless to argue. She grabbed the chicken and stepped out. The streetlights in the gated community were dim and yellow. She sat on a bench by the path and worked there instead, carefully cleaning and trimming every piece under that weak glow. It took her almost two hours to get it all ready. When the soup was finally done, Pearl took a few delicate sips, then suddenly clutched her stomach and cried out in pain. Just then, Dominic walked through the door. Pearl burst into tears. "Dom, you're just in time. Lila's trying to hurt the baby!" Dominic's eyes went cold. "Lila, what did you do?" Pearl shot the maid a look. She immediately stepped forward. "Mr. Steele, Ms. Pearl was perfectly fine. She only started having cramps after drinking the soup Ms. Lila made. There must've been something in it." Lila didn't flinch. "I didn't do anything. If there's something wrong with the soup, it's because the two of you set it up." Pearl bit her lip. "That's not true. Why would I ever do something that hurts myself? I'm the one carrying Dom's baby!" Lila let out a cold laugh. "Who knows if you wouldn't harm yourself just to pull off whatever plan you have in mind?" Pearl's expression stiffened for a second. When she realized she couldn't outtalk Lila, she turned to Dominic instead. "Dom, my stomach hurts so much. What if I lose the baby?" "I'm taking you to the hospital right now," Dominic said. "I won't let anything happen to you or the baby." He had barely finished speaking when bright red blood suddenly spread down Pearl's legs. Dominic's expression changed instantly. He slapped Lila across the face. "You bitch! How can you be this cruel? If anything happens to Pearl or the baby, I swear I'll make you pay!" Then, he carried Pearl into his arms and rushed out. Lila froze, her cheek burning with pain. Her chest felt like it was being carved open with a dull blade. She already knew Dominic didn't love her. She had accepted that truth. But when he slapped her, she still couldn't believe it. The man who had once treated her like something precious had become a stranger. Then again, even the sister she'd protected for 20 years hadn't hesitated to stab her in the back. Why should she be surprised by a man's betrayal? Even so, Pearl was unbelievably heartless. She was willing to hurt her own child just ot frame Lila. A thought suddenly flashed through Lila's mind. What if there had never been a baby at all? Lila pulled out her phone and sent a message to the private investigator she'd engaged before. "Check Pearl's prenatal records for me now." After that, she opened the security application and started scrolling through the footage. Just as she'd suspected, the maid had slipped into the kitchen while Lila was resting. When the maid came out, she looked nervous and uneasy. ... Late that night, Dominic called Lila. "Lucky for you, the baby's fine," he said. "Pearl wants chicken soup. Send it here in an hour." Lila let out a mocking laugh. "Aren't you afraid I'll put something in it?" "Lila," Dominic's voice dropped, icy and sharp. "If you try anything this time, I won't let it slide! Pearl's hungry! Get moving!" He hung up before she could answer. Lila smiled coldly, then went to find the same maid. "Get up. Go make the soup." The maid shook her head, ready to refuse, but the words died the moment Lila shot her a sharp, cutting look. "Here are your options," Lila said calmly. "Make the soup or pack your things and get out." The maid steadied herself and sneered. "Mr. Steele pays my salary. You don't have the right to fire me." From Dominic's attitude, it was clear Lila would be kicked out before long. That was why the maid didn't take Lila seriously at all. Pleasing Pearl was clearly the smarter move. After all, everyone already saw Pearl as Dominic's future wife. Lila already knew what the maid was thinking. She let out a snort. "There are cameras all over this villa. You were the one who carried that bowl of soup to Pearl. Why don't you take a guess? Do you think the footage caught you putting anything in it?"