After finding out I was pregnant, James and I got married in a hurry. The day I moved into the family mansion, he had to jet off for work.

He made sure the housekeeper would look after me. Barely in the door, I almost took a tumble, but George, my father-in-law, was quick to steady me. His concern for the baby was palpable.

Upstairs, watching from the window, Elizabeth, my mother-in-law, caught every detail of George helping me.

Once George left for his trip, Elizabeth came menacingly towards me.

She yanked my hair and hissed, "Think you can just waltz in here and take over? Over my dead body! Let's see who really runs this house!"

I tried to get a word in, but no dice, she kept on hitting and kicking me. She even rallied her high-society friends to take demeaning nudes of me, beating me till I miscarried.

"Talk now! Still think you can snatch men?"

***

Getting pregnant was the catalyst for my shotgun wedding with James Lincoln.

James really loved me, but everything happened so fast we couldn't even tell his parents or plan a proper wedding.

In the days leading up to our return to the mansion, James stayed close by my side, always kissing my belly tenderly.

He was over the moon about the baby, insisting I stay out of the workforce to avoid stress.

Suddenly, I felt a kick. James's face lit up with joy.

"He's kicking me? Our baby just kicked!"

"That's right, James, the little one knows you're daddy."

James twirled me around, held me close, and showered me with kisses before he could bear to let go.

He mentioned that we'd head back to the family mansion soon to relax, and the air there was cleaner and better for the baby.

I smiled in agreement.

The day we returned to the mansion.

As we were almost home, James got a call.

It made his brow furrow. Something bad had happened.

After he hung up, he caressed my belly, looking torn about how to break the news.

"Honey, there's a snag at the branch overseas. I need to sort it out for a few days."

Concern crept into my gaze as I looked at him.

"Go, get it sorted. Work comes first."

"Yeah, I told Dad to keep his wife out of trouble while I'm gone. Don't worry about it."

I knew James had hard feelings about his dad and Elizabeth, his stepmom. She married his dad right after his mom died, barely a month later.

In his eyes, she was nothing but a homewrecker.

I stepped out of the car, my belly now showing signs of pregnancy.

The moment I got out, I was greeted by the sight of the old-fashioned mansion and George, who looked every bit the gentle patriarch.

Initially, George was against me, an average girl, marrying into their affluent family.

He even tried to pay me to leave James at one point.

I refused, and we had quite the showdown.

However, once I was pregnant, George's attitude took a sharp turn.

For him, the baby was my ticket into the high society.

Carefully, I walked with one hand on my waist, navigating the uneven cobblestone path.

It was a tricky walk, and sure enough, I almost lost my footing.

In a flash, George was by my side, steadying me.

"Watch your step, you're carrying my precious grandkid."

"Thank you."

I let go of his arm and settled on the couch.

George also received a call right then.

It seemed there was some trouble with financing at the company that needed his immediate attention.

"Mary, make yourself at home, eat and drink whatever you like. I have to take care of this but should be back tomorrow."

"Okay."

After he left, before I could even take in the room, I noticed a woman making a beeline for me from the stairs.

Her hair was curly and short, and she sported a flapper dress, with makeup laid on thick. Clearly, this was Elizabeth, James's stepmom.

I was about to say hello when she was already on her phone, speaking briskly.

"Ladies, get over here fast. The show's about to start."

After hanging up, she sauntered over, and I managed a smile for her.

As soon as she saw me, though, her expression turned stormy.

I was caught off guard, clueless about what I might have done to upset her. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, she slapped me across the face.

The slap echoed sharply, leaving my face stinging, and it took a moment for me to process the shock.

Holding back tears, I faced her, bewildered.

"Did you... why would you hit me?"

She wasn't interested in my side of the story. Grabbing my hair, she dragged me outside.

She hauled me onto the gravel path, where the sharp stones bit into my skin, but her grip was fiercer than the rocks.

"You little slut! Don't think I didn't see George helping you!"

"Bringing you into our home like that!"

"Mistresses these days are getting bold, aren't they?"

I realized she had it all wrong, but before I could clarify, she was already fixating on my belly, her eyes burning with malice, sending shivers up to my spine.

"Your belly... You dare get pregnant, you little whore!"

"George and I have been married for 20 years, and he's never wanted another child until now. And here you are, carrying one!"

Her grip was so tight I couldn't even squirm. I tried to tell her she had it all wrong.

Her gaze intensified, and fear enveloped me.

As she ranted, I took the chance to push her away and tried to escape.

But my pregnancy had weakened me, and I couldn't shake her off.

When she saw me resist, she hit me again.

"Elizabeth..."

She kept hitting me until I could no longer speak.

I thought she had finally backed off. I struggled to my feet, stumbled, and tried to flee.

But at the door, I was met by four glamorous women, standing tall and looking down on me with disdain.

"Mrs. Lincoln, we're here to lend a hand," one sneered.

Something felt off, and I tried to bolt, but one of them kicked me back to the ground.

Agony shot through my stomach... It was excruciating.

I lay there, my hair a tangled mess plastered to my bruised and unrecognizable face.

Frozen with terror, I crawled towards Elizabeth, shaking uncontrollably.

"Elizabeth, I'm James's wife, not some mistress. Please... don't harm my baby."

She kicked me away, her face a mixture of scorn and disbelief.

"Ha, you think I'd fall for that? You little tramp, James gets married and you think I wouldn't know? You're a damn good liar!"

She edged closer, and I sobbed, begging her to stop.

Suddenly, she turned to the other women, "Ladies, this is what your husbands are messing around with behind your backs!"

"Mrs. Lincoln, you can't be serious. My husband would never!"

"Mine neither!"

As she gripped my hair, Elizabeth glanced at their uneasy faces and scoffed.

"Doesn't it burn you up? This is the kind of trash they play with! Just look at her. She is younger than any of you! Bet she knows a trick or two about seduction!"

Her words ignited something in those women, their faces twisting into masks of anger.

Terrified, I tried to crawl away, but it was futile.

Passersby on the street paused, some stopping to look, but nobody stepped in.

A young woman seemed poised to help, and I desperately hoped she would.

But as she moved forward, an older woman yanked her back.

"This is the Lincoln family's business. Meddling in their affairs is asking for trouble, just like 20 years ago."

The young woman tried to resist, "What happened 20 years ago? She looks so pitiful!"

"Twenty years ago, when the new wife came into the picture, some of the original wife's friends tried to support her. The next day, their husbands' businesses went under."

"It was a disaster!"

"You can help if you want, but think about your dad's company!"

The young woman looked back at me, her eyes no longer filled with pity, now tinged with regret.

I didn't need her regret. I needed help. I pleaded, "Please, help me! Help me!"

She turned and fled, disappearing quickly.

My heart sank completely.

"You think you can call for backup, you bitch?" one of the women yelled as she lunged at me, swinging her purse.

She hit me repeatedly on my arms, neck, and face.

The edges of her purse were sharp, leaving my skin stinging with each blow.

Elizabeth grabbed my face, laughing mockingly before turning to the others.

"Mrs. Reynolds, didn't your husband just file for divorce over a mistress? She's just like her!"

Mrs. Reynolds's face changed instantly, and in a fit of rage, she threw her phone at my head.

The phone shattered, and blood trickled down my face.

I writhed in pain, sobbing uncontrollably from fear.

But Elizabeth wasn't done yet.

She smirked, then addressed the other two women, "Mrs. Harper, Mrs. Collins, aren't your husbands trying to broker deals with our family?"

Realization dawned on them, and they picked up scissors, approaching me slowly.

They chopped at my hair, leaving it in uneven shreds, but I clung desperately to my belly.

The pain was overwhelming. I felt nauseous.

But I still fought to protect my unborn child. James had cherished this baby so much. I couldn't let him see his child harmed like this.

"Baby, I'll protect you," I murmured, feeling a small kick. It is a tiny reassurance.

The baby was still alive.

Elizabeth noticed my protective stance and became even more furious. She viciously ripped my dress.

I was wearing a long white gown.

It was a gift from James, his favorite on me, now ruined by Elizabeth.

And it was blood-stained and dirty.

She tore at the straps, exposing me further, even ripping the fabric near my legs.

She ripped away the last shred of my dignity, leaving me nearly naked like a hollowed-out rag doll.

I cried out, "No, please, stop... I'm begging you..."

Overwhelmed by shame, I curled up as tightly as I could.

Now, I was left with barely anything covering me, just fragments of the dress clinging to me.

Elizabeth then started snapping photos, taking advantage of my vulnerability.

I covered my face, crying, never having felt such humiliation.

In school, if anyone dared to bully me, James was always my protector.

He'd taken beatings from thugs to keep me safe.

But now... James, they're hurting me.

One of the women hesitated, finally speaking up.

"Isn't this a bit much? She's supposed to be Mr. Lincoln's... affair..."

Enraged by her remark, Elizabeth threw aside the remains of my dress and stomped on my hand.

"A bit much? We're just getting started!"

"You're so young, yet you've mastered the art of seduction, haven't you? Using these little hands to lure my husband!"

Then, with a cruel force, she stepped on my hand.

"Ah!!"

The pain cut deep, my scream echoing as I clutched the now blood-soaked stones.

They were once pristine white, now a vivid red from my blood, spreading wider and wider.

At least I still have my baby, that's something.

No matter the pain, as long as the baby's okay, I'll hang in there.

I gritted my teeth, bearing it all for my baby.

Elizabeth wouldn't dare touch the baby. The Lincolns family values their heirs too much. She'd be in hot water if anything happened.

I kept believing she wouldn't dare harm my baby.

So, I endured the beatings.

But when Elizabeth's hand got too close to my belly, I caught her wrist with my blood-streaked hand.

Touch anything but my baby.

I gripped her wrist tight, causing her to yank her hand away with a hiss of pain.

"You little bitch! You dare grab me?"

"Just a little bump, huh?"

I shot her a glare, my eyes bloodshot.

"You dare give me that look!"

Elizabeth slapped me hard enough to turn my head.

"Stop looking at me like that! You're reminding me of James's tramp of a mother! If it weren't for her, my child... would still be here!"

She had no right to talk about his mom!

"It was you! You're the home wrecker! You destroyed his parents' marriage!"

I countered her, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth.

Suddenly, she squeezed my neck, cutting off my air. I gasped and choked, unable to speak.

All I could see were her furious, bloodshot eyes as she screamed at me.

"Say it again! I dare you!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Then, she laughed wildly, and the other women didn't dare to touch me, just watching in silence.

Elizabeth's manicured nails traced my belly, causing me to shiver. I quickly covered my stomach.

Gradually, she stood up.

She withdrew her hand and then raised her foot.

Her high heels, bright and blood-red, seemed to gleam menacingly.

I fixated on those heels, using every bit of strength to resist.

But I was too weak, and with a fierce stomp, she landed on my belly.

The pain erupted from deep within, like a knife slicing through me, leaving me breathless.

"...Ah!"

"It hurts! It hurts... so much!"

My body convulsed, my face pale, sweating profusely.

Suddenly, a warm gush came from my belly. Trembling, I reached down and found my hand covered in blood.

"Blood... my baby..."

I screamed, raw and desperate.

"Please, save me... save this baby. James's first child can't be lost."

Elizabeth, consumed by jealousy, appeared unfazed.

She casually tucked her hair behind her ear and picked up her phone.

"Elizabeth, take good care of Mary. After all, she's carrying a Lincoln."

Grasping for anything, I croaked, "Help... help me."

Elizabeth dismissed me, ranting on the phone.

"George, I'm pregnant too! How can you expect me to deal with your mistress?"

"What mistress? What pregnancy? Elizabeth, are you...?"

"Beep, beep, beep..."

Elizabeth hung up furiously, then smashed her phone to pieces.

I caught a sliver of information.

"You're pregnant too? Then you know what it's like to be a mother. Please, help me, my stomach... it hurts so badly..."

"Help you?"

Elizabeth sneered, looking down at me as I crawled, leaving a trail of bright red blood behind.

"Do you really think that's possible?"

I finally reached the discarded phone, trembling as I dialed James.

The moment the call connected. A flicker of hope surged.

James picked up.