###2

"I won't let you go!"

I tried to lunge at Cassie, but the pain from my wound turned everything black.

Her phone rang. She smirked and put it on the speaker. Nate’s voice came through.

"Where did you go? You just had a stem cell transfusion. Why aren’t you resting?"

"You weren’t with me in the ward. I got bored, so I took a little walk," she replied coyly.

I clenched my fists, trembling.

Then I heard his voice—gentle and indulgent.

"Hurry back. I brought in the top medical team in the U.S. to speed up your recovery."

"You treat me so well," she purred.

Nate chuckled. "If I don’t treat you well, who else would I?"

Yes, you treat her so well that you sacrificed your own daughter just to cure her anemia.

Cassie shot me a smug glance and gave me a hard kick before strutting away.

Shaking, I stood and handed my daughter’s tiny body to the morgue attendant.

Then I returned to the ward and dialed the number I knew I could trust.

My voice trembled with pain and rage.

"Lucas Roman… help me. I want to leave Nate."

Lucas, my lawyer and friend, raised her voice instantly.

"What happened, Ruth? Did you two fight again?"

I told her everything—every devastating word, every betrayal.

My voice was soaked in grief, like I was bleeding through every syllable.

When I finished, Lucas exploded.

"That monster! He killed his own child for his mistress. How is he even human?"

"Don’t worry. Even without a marriage certificate, you’re entitled to everything. You’ve supported him for years. I won’t let you walk away empty-handed."

After the call, the doctor came back, re-dressed my wound, and gave me a sedative.

Sometime later, I heard the footsteps I used to love so much.

I closed my eyes instinctively, feigning sleep.

Nate entered, his pace hurried.

He leaned over me, gently stroking my pale face with trembling fingers.

"Ruth… I’m sorry. We’ll have another baby, I promise."

No, Nate—we will never have anything again.

This towering man, always proud and cold, now wept openly beside me.

His tears made my stomach churn.

Then I heard another set of heels clicking on the floor.

Cassie’s voice cut through the room like a knife.

She stared at my twitching eyelids and gave me a chilling smile.

"Aren’t you afraid she’ll find out you planned the kidnapping? Just so you could harvest her baby at the perfect time."

What did she just say?

"You shouldn’t talk—" Nate began, panicked.

But it was too late.

My fingers curled into the sheets. My eyelids no longer trembled—they flew open.

###3

She pulled out the dagger and aimed it at her abdomen, but in a flash, Nate grabbed it.

Blood trickled down his hand, seeping through his fingers, yet he didn’t flinch—only frowned slightly.

“Oh, Nate!”

Cassie gasped in panic, letting go of the hilt.

Nate immediately hurled the dagger out the window and pulled her tightly into his arms.

“Don’t ever do that again! I’m still recovering. If something happens to you, I’ll be devastated!”

Cassie nodded like a frightened kitten, then leaned up and kissed him gently.

“You’re bleeding a lot. I was so scared.”

“For you, this injury is nothing.”

The pain in his palm only fueled his desire. With a dark gleam in his eyes, he pressed her against the wall.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My child had just died, and here they were—having an affair in the ward!

Cassie’s sobs broke the silence.

“I thought it was just for the umbilical cord blood. I didn’t think it would kill your baby. I’m sorry... it’s all my fault.”

Nate wiped away her crocodile tears, his expression soft.

“It was just bad luck. Don’t blame yourself.”

“After all, a premature baby isn’t more important than your health.”

That was his own flesh and blood—how could he be so cold?

My chest ached so deeply I could hardly breathe.

Cassie tilted her head toward me and said with a smirk,

“Now that Ruth’s child is gone, how about I give you another one to make up for it?”

Nate gave me a quick glance, then grinned wickedly.

“Alright. If you get pregnant, I’ll buy you an island in the Pacific and a star to name after our child.”

He really adored her and the child they hadn’t even conceived.

But what had he ever given me during either of my pregnancies? Nothing.

He didn’t even care about decorating the nursery.

“I’ll leave that to you, Ruth. I trust your taste—you’ll make it a beautiful little castle.”

I thought that was faith in me. Now I know he simply didn’t care at all.

Nate gasped with excitement.

“As long as you behave, I can give you everything—except the title of wife.”

My pillow was soaked with silent tears.

I swore I would never let him live in peace again.

Finally, the disgusting sounds stopped.

Nate pulled up his pants and said,

“I’ll help your dad get the funds. Don’t worry. Just focus on getting better.”

Cassie pouted, eyes worried.

“But he owes so much. Why won’t they let him go?”

Nate kissed her forehead.

“I said I’ll handle it.”

Just then, his gaze flickered to my trembling lips under the moonlight. His heart skipped.

He pushed Cassie aside and rushed to my bedside, eyes wide.

“Ruth… are you awake?”

###4

I kept my eyes shut.

He let out a sigh of relief and gently wiped the tears from my cheeks.

“Sweetheart, you had a nightmare. I’m here now. Don’t be scared…”

I frowned and instinctively turned away from the lips that had just kissed another woman.

His expression froze, then his eyes turned red, and his fists clenched in frustration.

“Ruth, I swear I’ll never let you suffer again.”

But haven’t all my wounds and pain come from you?

Just then, a soft, pitiful sob came from the floor, and Nate noticed Cassie lying there like a wounded little bird.

He immediately let go of my hand and rushed over to her, cradling her in his arms and gently massaging her bruised leg.

“Baby, I’m sorry. But we can’t let Ruth find out about us.”

Only then did he seem to realize the shamelessness of what they’d done—right here in my hospital ward.

He scooped Cassie into his arms and quickly left.

But what difference did it make now?

He had already shattered the love I had given him without reservation since I was sixteen.

Later, I received an email—a video sent by Cassie.

“Ugly pig, your husband is truly passionate.”

They were entangled again in the backseat of a car, not even bothering to fix their clothes.

I saved the file.

Evidence, straight from her. A woman parading as noble and refined, but in truth, a shameless thief of someone else’s fiancé.

I’m sure others will be very interested.

The next morning, Nate called.

“Sorry, Ruth. I just wrapped up some work. I’ll come back to the hospital to be with you.”

I replied coolly, “No need. I think Miss Cassie needs you more now.”

My distant tone made him pause.

“What are you saying, baby? I don’t understand.”

I took a breath and asked calmly, “Nate, where is our child?”

“She… she was born premature and didn’t survive. I’ve already had her buried. I’ll take you to visit the grave tomorrow, okay?”

A grave? Then what was that tiny lifeless body I pulled from a stray dog’s mouth?

Grief choked me, and I couldn’t speak.

Nate sensed something was wrong.

“When you’re discharged, let’s have the perfect wedding, okay?”

I forced the words through clenched teeth.

“Okay.”

But in my heart, I made a vow too.

There won’t be a wedding.

Only your funeral, Nate.

He soon arrived, holding a thermos, and knelt before me.

“I learned to make this chicken soup from an American chef. It’s great for recovery. Please, have some.”

I stared at the golden broth, my heart was cold.

Outside, I overheard nurses chatting as they passed:

“Miss Cassie is so lucky. Her boyfriend’s absolutely devoted.”

“Right? He even flew a chef just to help with her anemia. Stayed up all night making her soup!”

So this bowl—was just a test batch for Cassie.

I pushed the spoon away.

“I can’t drink it.”

Big tears rolled into the soup. Guilt shadowed Nate’s face.

He threw the bowl aside and slapped himself, hard.

“I regret it! I should’ve let you deliver the baby. Even if she was sick, I’m her father—I should’ve raised her!”

But it’s too late now.

And worse…

“Do you truly mean that, Nate?”

He froze when he saw my red, tear-filled eyes.

At that moment, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, then answered angrily:

“I told you—I’m with Ruth! Can’t you handle such a small issue yourselves, useless bunch!”

Hanging up, he turned to me.

“Something’s wrong at the company. I need to go.”

I grabbed his wrist, pleading,

“Please don’t go. Stay here. I… I need you.”

He averted his eyes.

“I’m sorry, love. I’ll be back soon, I promise.”

He slowly pried my fingers off, one by one.

As he rushed out, I stared after him, filled with despair. Then I laughed quietly.

He thought I didn’t see the caller ID.

But I did. It was Cassie.

His choice was clear.

She always came first, didn’t she?

I hope you never regret this.

Because soon… you’ll understand.

I picked up the phone and dialed.

“We need to talk.”