Love in Shadows

On the day Shane Jackson and I registered our marriage,

his infatuated secretary pushed me off a building.

I fractured two ribs, lost my baby instantly, and slipped into a coma.

Shane stayed by my side and told everyone I was his only wife, never leaving my bedside.

But when no one was watching, he pressed that secretary against the hospital bed and murmured,

"If it weren't for you, Lily and I would already have a three-year-old child.

You owe us a baby. This is what you must repay her."

Joanna Rogers trembled in his arms, eyes full of tears.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Jackson. I loved you too much. I'll accept whatever punishment you give me."

A moment later, I heard their heavy breathing.

My eyes, which had been shut for three years, suddenly opened.

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Shane."

Her voice, dripping with false sweetness, echoed in my ear.

Since regaining consciousness, I had lost count of the times Shane Jackson had 'punished' Joanna Rogers.

However, in a flash, Shane's anger erupted, and his hand cracked across her face.

"You have no right to call me that," he hissed.

Joanna clutched her swelling cheek, tears streaming down her face. "I know I'm to blame, but haven't I paid for my mistakes during the past three years? Isn't that enough?"

Shane towered over her, his eyes as icy as winter. "Not by a long shot. Lily's still out cold, and you're going to pay for the rest of your life!"

He dragged her over to me, and without a hint of warmth, he said, "Apologize to Lily!"

Joanna's sobs grew louder. She knelt by the bed, pleading with me. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Smith. It's all my fault.

"I'll make it right, I swear."

Though I was awake, my body refused to obey me.

I could only watch, tears streaming, as their breaths grew ragged.

Shane, lost in his own world, kept murmuring my name.

"Lily, my Lily..."

A sickening rage boiled inside me, but I was powerless to even shout at them to leave.

Time lost all meaning until, at last, the storm passed.

Shane, ruthless as ever, zipped up his pants and dismissed her with a frosty glare.

"Leave."

Joanna's lips trembled, her face a mask of defiance.

She locked eyes with Shane, then pulled out a pregnancy test.

"Mr. Jackson, I took this test this morning."

The moment Shane saw those two little lines, his face lit up with joy.

"Is it for real?"

Joanna's cheeks were a rosy red.

"I had the test this morning. It's been two weeks."

Shane's eyes brimmed with tears at the news.

He grabbed my hand and gently laid it on Joanna's stomach.

"Lily, we're going to be parents! Aren't you thrilled?"

However, as Shane's hand brushed mine, a wave of bitterness washed over me.

I had to fight the urge to smack him right then and there.

From a dark corner, Joanna shot me a venomous look before stepping forward.

"Ms. Smith, you have nothing to worry about. I'll take great care of your baby with Mr. Jackson."

Then, she turned toward Shane, and with a tremble in her voice, she said, "Now that I'm carrying your child, could you find it in your heart to forgive me after the birth?"

Shane gave her an icy, dismissive glance.

"Don't get your hopes up. You're not in a position to make demands.

"Leave us. I want to be alone with Lily."

Tears filled Joanna's eyes as she picked up her clothes from the floor and wrapped them around herself.

A crushing weight pressed on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I opened my mouth wide, desperate for air.

Suddenly, the heart monitor screeched an urgent warning.

……

Shane was jolted back to reality.

He shoved Joanna aside, his eyes filled with panic as he looked at me.

"Lily, what's happening to Lily...

"Someone get a doctor, now!"

The doctor rushed in and wheeled me into surgery.