Lying on the operating table, I felt the icy-cold instruments twisting inside me.

I could feel the life within me gradually slipping away, but deep down, I was relieved.

Maybe the baby was never meant for this nasty world.

…

The sun was setting when I dragged my weary body home.

Charles glanced at my pale face and handed me a glass of warm water.

"I was just about to pick you up from the campus. Don't hold it against Sammy. She wouldn't have been terrified and said that if you hadn't humiliated her in public and provoked her.

"Stop being mad. You're going to be a mother soon. Why bother picking on a youngster?

"I already asked Sammy to file for a divorce. Once the formalities are finalized, we'll register our marriage."

My face remained blank as I turned to look at our wedding photo on the wall.

I grabbed the glass and threw it at the photo.

The glass shattered into pieces, and the shreds cut Charles' face in the photo.

His face fell instantly.

Just then, Samantha came out of my room, gripping her phone. "Charles, I was terrified when Nat threw a tantrum just now. I entered the information incorrectly three times, and I got locked out. I can only make the reservation after seven days."

My face was devoid of emotions, and I didn't even bother to look up.

Charles suddenly laughed after seeing my deadpan expression.

"Let's put the divorce on hold for now. Nat doesn't seem concerned about it, so why are we rushing to get it done then?

"Everyone knows that we've been together for a decade, and we've been family for a long time."

A resentful look flitted across Samantha's eyes. She pushed Charles away and fell to her knees, her eyes red. "Nat, I didn't mean it. I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, then look—"

She put her phone closer to me and whispered into my ear, "Nat, is your baby still alive? Is he with Mr. Lowe now?"

Her tone grew harsher as she spoke. "My parents died, but why did your dad just have to save me? Since he had saved me, it was only right for him to give me a home. I'm pleased to have Charles.

"By the way, that day when Mr. Lowe regained his consciousness, I went to thank him. I even showed him a video of Charles sleeping with me for the first time.

"I didn't expect that he couldn't take it. He actually bit the nasal cannula out of anger."

I gritted my teeth so hard that my jaw hurt.

My sanity finally snapped, and I mustered all my strength to slap Samantha across her face.

Charles kicked me away, and my wound from the surgery split open and bled. I couldn't help gasping in pain.

"Natalie, what the hell are you doing?"

I broke down in tears. "It was her… She killed my dad!"

Charles froze on the spot. Just as he was about to say something, Ethan came in and held Samantha in his arms. A pained look filled his eyes. "Natalie, you're a cop! Look at you! How can you still call yourself a cop?"

He saw my red-rimmed eyes and let out a sigh. "The controversy is escalating. They will investigate Mr. Lowe, so his body will be moved out of Martyrs' Cemetery for now.

"And you'll be suspended from duty to reflect on your mistake. Sammy is emotionally unstable now. You can take good care of her.

"You're her only family now. Don't hurt her again."

Charles scoffed. "You inherited your dad's ID number. Hand over your uniform and gun. You don't get to leave the house until you apologize."

The system's sound echoed in my mind. There were ten seconds left.

Seeing the smile tugging at Samantha's lips, I laughed so hard that I was in tears.

I gently caressed the gun and walked up to the window.

Just as I was about to hand it over, I turned the gun and held it against my temple.

"Just an apology… isn't enough to make up to her."

Charles subconsciously reached out for me with both hands, his pupil contracting.

Smiling, I said, "I'll pay with my life."

Bang!

The glass shattered.

Charles cried out in pain, "Natalie! No!"