###Chapter 5

In the darkness of the trunk, the sickening movement went on for a long time.

Riley’s broken voice drifted in from outside, deliberately soft. “The baby is fine but… slow down… be gentle… I can’t take it…”

She always knew how to crush my dignity and hurt me in the deepest place.

“After all, Vexia just lost her baby… If she hears us… she’ll be heartbroken…”

But Darren moved even harder. The dull sound of impact echoed and his words were cold.

“Then let her hear it clearly.”

I bit down so hard.

I didn’t love him anymore. So why did it still hurt like this?

After a long time, everything finally stopped.

When the trunk opened, the bodyguards dragged me out like a broken doll and threw me onto the ground. Fresh air rushed into my lungs. My heart, which had nearly stopped from panic, slowly began to beat again.

Riley walked toward me barefoot, wearing Darren’s oversized white shirt.

“Four years… and you never satisfied him?” She bent down. Her voice was so low that only I could hear it. “My waist almost broke just now.”

I shut my eyes tightly, holding back my tears in the last darkness before dawn.

Then I heard Darren’s footsteps.

He acted as if he didn’t see me covered in cold sweat, dirty at the mouth. He simply picked Riley up carefully and placed her back into the soft car seat.

Then he knelt down on one knee. With the same hand that signed million-dollar contracts, he gently held her bare feet and rubbed them to warm them.

“You’re pregnant and still walking barefoot?” He lowered his head and kissed her playful lips. “From now on, don’t touch anything cold. Remember that, okay?”

“I will… I was wrong.”

Suddenly, I remembered the seven months of my pregnancy. Every morning, I woke up early to make breakfast for him. I ironed his expensive shirts by hand. But I never received a single look of concern.

Love and indifference had always been clear.

After settling Riley into the car, Darren finally walked toward me. The smell of perfume and sweat clung to him. My stomach twisted again.

He pulled me up roughly. His voice was flat. “You should be grateful Riley is fine tonight.”

His eyes moved to the dry dirt at the corner of my mouth. He paused for a second, then let go of me.

“Walk back by yourself.”

I couldn’t believe what I just heard. “It’s more than ten miles. You want me to walk?”

“That’s the only way you’ll learn, Vexia.”

The car sped away, leaving a cloud of dust behind. I stood alone in the cold night wind, wearing thin clothes. I didn’t even have money for a taxi.

My wound opened again in the cold. I was freezing and in pain. Every step felt like walking on knives.

When dawn finally broke, a giant billboard by the roadside lit up.

[Eugene Family Heir Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars! Grand Banquet in Two Days to Celebrate the Family’s Heir!]

I heard people talking nearby.

“I heard Darren invited the most important people in the city, even half of the entertainment industry… He even bought a castle for his fiancée and their baby.”

“That child is the future heir. His fiancée is so lucky.”

On the screen, the castle shone bright and beautiful.

Her child was his treasure.

My child, even until death, received nothing from his father.

I stared at the flashing screen and took out my phone. Then, I dialed my assistant's number.

“Prepare a gift. Congratulate Darren and his precious heir.”

Darren, the DNA test report of your child will be the third gift I give you.

Just after I hung up, a message from Darren’s father came. [The procedures went smoothly. The day after tomorrow, you will receive what belongs to you.]

I licked my dry lips and tasted blood.

By the time I finally reached home, my feet were covered in blisters.

As soon as I entered the yard, I saw decorations everywhere. The servants were busy preparing for the coming banquet.

I walked inside in a daze and went straight to the nursery that had once been prepared for my baby. I wanted to pack my child’s things to take them away.

However, the moment I pushed open the door, my whole body turned cold.

###Chapter 6

The nursery I had spent seven months preparing was completely changed overnight. The soft pink and pale yellow walls were gone. Now everything was bright blue.

The crib I had carefully chosen had disappeared. In its place stood a larger, more expensive one. The small toy castle I built by hand was gone too. Instead, a shiny Disney castle sat in the corner.

Even the curtains were changed to a custom design from a top luxury brand. They looked beautiful and costly.

Every trace of my child had been erased. It was as if Darren had never waited for that baby at all.

Anger rose inside me like a tidal wave.

Light footsteps sounded behind me. Riley walked in.

“You don’t mind, do you?” she asked with a small, mocking smile. “Your baby is gone anyway. Darren said this room belongs to our child now.”

“So, I told them to throw all your old things away. Keeping items from a dead baby would bring bad luck.”

She was waiting for me to lose control. But I only looked at her stomach and smiled softly. “His child? Are you sure?”

Her expression changed instantly. I didn’t wait for her answer. I turned and walked toward the stairs.

“Go to hell, Vexia.”

I heard her angry whisper behind me. Before I could turn around, she suddenly shouted loudly, “Vexia! Don’t hurt yourself!”

A hard shove hit my back and I wasn’t prepared. My body fell forward and I rolled down the stairs hard.

Warm blood ran from my forehead, blurring my vision.

Just before everything went dark, I heard Darren shout, “Vexia!”

***

When I opened my eyes again, I saw the white ceiling of a hospital room.

“Vexia, how are you feeling?” I turned my head and saw Darren sitting beside my bed, looking exhausted.

I slowly raised my trembling hand and pointed at Riley, who stood behind him. “She pushed me.”

Tears quickly fell from Riley’s eyes. She shook her head and looked very innocent.

“I didn’t. Darren, I didn’t even touch her. You can ask the maid!”

The maid came in from outside the door and said in a low voice, “Sir, I was downstairs preparing for the event. I saw Miss Solmere trying to push Ms. Trelmont, but she slipped and fell by herself…”

Blood rushed to my throat.

“You’re lying! You and Riley planned this together!”

“That’s enough!”

Darren stopped me. His eyes were filled with disappointment.

“Vexia, look at yourself. Jealousy has changed you.”

Riley cried and shook. “If Vexia can’t forgive me, Darren, I’ll leave. I’ll give you back to her. I just want the baby to be safe…”

Darren pulled her closer. When he looked at me again, his gaze was icy. “The one who should leave is you. After the party, you’re moving out.”

I thought my heart would hurt, but I felt nothing.

“You really want me to leave?”

“You brought this on yourself.”

“Alright,” I said quietly. “Then let me cut your nails one last time.”

My calm tone made him hesitate.

I sat on the hospital bed. He sat beside me. Like many afternoons in the past, he rested his head on my lap. I held his hand and carefully trimmed each nail.

His hands were still long and elegant.

Once, those quiet moments had felt warm.

But I no longer felt anything for them.

Darren looked up at my pale and calm face. Suddenly, he seemed to feel uneasy.

“This is only for a while. After the baby is born, you can come back.”

“Okay.” My obedient answer made him feel even more worried, as if once he let go, he would lose me forever.

Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist. And I looked at him in surprise. But right at that moment, Riley’s soft voice came from outside the door.

“Darren, it’s time for my checkup.”

Darren looked at me and said with some hesitation before saying, “Vexia, if you don’t feel well, I can stay with you.”

“I’m done cutting your nails,” I said calmly and pulled my hand free. “Go. Your child needs you.”

His face darkened slightly and he left without another word.

After he left, I called my assistant and gave him the nails I had collected.

The assistant spoke quietly. “We also got Riley’s blood sample. The DNA test result will be ready soon.”

For the first time that day, a real smile touched my lips.

“Good. At the banquet the day after tomorrow, make sure the gift is delivered on time.”

“Understood.”

Not long after my assistant left, a doctor rushed into the room.

“Miss Solmere, please come to the emergency department immediately!”

I followed him quickly and learned that my mother had ended her business trip early. On her way home, she had been in a severe car accident.

She needed an urgent blood transfusion.

But the doctor looked troubled.

“All the RH-negative blood in the city has already been reserved. Mr. Eugene gave the order earlier… because Ms. Trelmont cut her finger.”

Before he could finish speaking, I was already running out of the room.

###Chapter 7

When I rushed into the VIP hospital room, Riley was lying on the bed. Doctors surrounded her as blood flowed slowly through the IV into her arm.

I grabbed Darren’s sleeve. My voice was hoarse. “Please. Give the blood to my mother. Riley doesn’t need it. My mom is dying.”

He shook my hand off with eyes that were cold. “You still dare to beg me? Vexia, when you drugged Riley, did you think about this day?”

I was stunned. “Drugged her? I didn’t!”

“Stop pretending!” Darren shouted. “She almost went into shock. The doctors found sedatives in her blood. If it wasn’t you, then who?”

On the hospital bed, Riley looked weak and pale. But in her eyes, there was triumph.

Her voice trembled softly. “Darren… don’t blame Vexia. She just loves you too much. Give the blood to her mother. I don’t have parents anyway. My life doesn’t that important anyway…”

Darren held her tightly. “Don’t say that.”

Then he turned to the doctor and said firmly, “Keep going. Continue the transfusion. Not a single drop less.”

My legs finally gave out and I fell to my knees as I grabbed the fabric of his pants. “Darren, my mother is dying. She’s the only family I have left. I’m begging you.”

He looked down at me without mercy. “Apologize to Riley.”

I clenched my teeth. Then I lowered my head and slammed my forehead against the cold tile floor. Again and again. The sound echoed sharply each time.

“I’m sorry… It’s my fault… Please save my mother…”

Blood and tears covered my face. I could barely kneel straight.

For a brief second, something flickered in Darren’s expression. He was about to speak, but suddenly Riley’s body jerked. Her eyes rolled back as she began to shake.

“Riley! Doctor, save her!” he panicked and pushed me away as he rushed to her side.

I tried to stand and beg again, but he pushed me hard.

“Get away!”

I hit the wall and could only watch as doctors and nurses surrounded the woman who was acting.

After a long time, a doctor came to me. His face showed pity.

“Miss Solmere, I’m so sorry. We did everything we could, but your mother… didn’t make it.”

Just like that, my last hope was gone.

I slowly stood up as I stared at the hospital bed. Darren was helping Riley sip water with tender eyes.

Hatred sank deep into my bones. I would never beg again. I would make them pay.

***

I walked into the stairwell and dialed a number.

“Luciel,” I said, trying to steady my voice. “Can you come a day earlier? The day after tomorrow.”

“Vexia? Your voice doesn’t sound right. What did Darren do to you?” Luciel’s voice became tense at once.

Hearing this, I couldn’t hold back any longer and started crying loudly into the phone. After I finished telling him everything in broken pieces, he only said one short sentence.

“Wait for me.”

***

I had no idea how I returned to that empty house.

Grief brought a high fever, swallowing my whole body.

In my half-conscious state, I felt someone enter the room. Darren placed two urns of ashes and an ultrasound photo beside my bed.

His voice came through the darkness.

“Remember, these three lives were all lost because of you.”

He paused for a moment. “Tomorrow, the bodyguards will escort you away. It’s for your own good. And for Riley’s safety.”

After some time, the door opened again. Riley walked in and put a bouquet of lilies beside my pillow. Her breath brushed past my ear.

“Do you really think you can come back? Let these flowers send you off.”

I was severely allergic to lilies.

The strong smell entered my nose. My throat tightened instantly, as if invisible hands were choking me. I couldn’t breathe.

I clawed at my neck and fell off the bed, gasping like a fish thrown onto dry land.

And she left with a proud face.

Outside, the banquet had already begun. Music and laughter filled the air.

Through the half-open door, I saw Darren kiss Riley’s stomach gently.

“You’re carrying my heir. You’re incredible.”

Riley leaned into his arms, but her eyes turned toward me as I struggled on the floor.

She smiled as she said, “As long as you want, I can give you more children.”

The guests raised their glasses and congratulated them. No one knew that just behind one door, a murder was happening quietly.

Is this how everything would end?

Bang!

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a loud bang.

A tall figure rushed inside through the noise and music.

Luciel.

He dropped to his knees beside me and quickly placed medicine under my tongue. Then he lifted me into his arms. His hold was strong. Steady. Warm.

“Vexia. Look at me. Breathe.”

The medicine started to work. Air finally rushed back into my lungs as I clutched his shirt and forced myself to breathe again and again.

“Take me away from here.”

I looked toward the bright and noisy party outside. Only cold resolve in my eyes.

Darren, your celebration has just begun.

And I will personally give you the most unforgettable gift of all.