My mother-in-law got kidnapped, but my powerful husband, who ran both sides of the law, was too busy throwing a birthday bash for his old flame's dog.

The kidnappers warned them they'd kill her if he didn't show up.

I didn't beg him to act because, in my past life, I dragged him away from that party despite being eight months pregnant to save his mom.

His old flame, who tagged along, got spotted by the kidnappers' lookout. They assaulted her and brutally killed her. Her body parts were left to be eaten by dogs.

Furious, he gunned down the culprits and vanished for a month. When he returned, he never mentioned it.

Then I gave birth to our son and was full of joy. But he threw me into the woods, weak and defenseless. Wild animals tore me apart, leaving nothing behind.

"You were jealous of Alicia and had the kidnappers kill her?" he accused. "You don't deserve her happiness."

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day his mom got kidnapped.

...

Billy Stone glared at me like I was the worst kind of criminal.

"You killed Alicia and left her in pieces. I'll make you feel her pain," he spat, rolling up the car window.

Beasts tore into me, ripping out my insides. I died in agony.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day his mom got kidnapped.

"Isabel, what do we do? We have to save Mom!" sobbed my sister-in-law, Emily Stone. "Where is Billy? Where did he go?"

She cried out, "Is anyone home? Come!"

Sadly, there was no answer.

Feeling bad, I told her the truth. "Everyone is at Alicia's dog's birthday party."

Even the house staff got dragged into making a fancy meal for that dog.

"What? Billy took everyone and ignored our calls for a dog?" Emily gasped.

But with time running out, she didn't dwell on it. "You can drive. Please get Billy back. I'll stay here in case the kidnappers call."

Her tears broke my heart. I sighed, "I can go look for him, but even if I go, he probably won't come back with me."

Billy and I were in an arranged marriage, and Emily knew we never got along. Lately, we had fought constantly over Alicia. Everyone saw it.

He was with Alicia now. If I showed up, it'd only make things messier.

"I'll go. You stay at home," she said, understanding my hesitation.

She rushed out to catch a cab. Half an hour later, she called, crying harder.

"What do we do?" She panicked, her voice trembling with frustration. "They won't listen to me, thinking I'm lying. Billy says we're teaming up to trick them. I got on my knees and begged him, but he didn't believe me."

The elders arrived, furious about the situation.

"Billy is out of line, ignoring his mom for a mistress!"

"Alicia acts all sweet and docile, but she won't let him come back."

"What do we do?" someone said anxiously, "We can't watch Teresa die!"

I thought for a moment. "How about we contact Brenden?"

Brenden Whitfield ran in the underworld.

The kidnappers were sent by Billy's rival, Owen Stewart. Brenden could mediate and buy us time.

"I'll go," Emily said, having just rushed back.

But as she stepped forward, she collapsed.

Everyone rushed to help her up, but her face was as white as a sheet. Her low blood sugar was acting up.

A few minutes later, she tried to get up again. Feeling a pang of sympathy, I held her down. "I'll go."

"But you're pregnant," everyone warned.

I grabbed the car keys and left nevertheless.

Halfway there, a car cut me off, forcing me to stop. Before I could check, rough-looking men yanked open my door and dragged me out.

In the middle of nowhere, I screamed, "What do you want?"

They leered. "What do you think?"

They rubbed their hands and stepped closer. "Never tried a pregnant lady before. Bet it's fun."

I backed away, cornered. In the heat of the moment, I blurted out, "My husband is Billy Stone. Touch me, and you are dead meat!"

In this city, Billy's name carried weight. I thought it'd scare them, but they weren't.

Instead, they laughed, "Billy? Thanks to him, we found you."

"What do you mean?" I gaped.

"That's right. He gave us your location. Said you're a lowlife who teamed up with the kidnappers," one of them said.

Another chimed in, "Don't worry. We love tarts like you."

I was shocked.

In my past life, Billy had accused me of paying the kidnappers to hurt Alicia out of jealousy. This time, we hadn't even met the kidnappers, yet he claimed I was in on it.

I realized he had been reborn too.

That was why he had ignored Emily's pleas earlier. He thought I set this up.

I just hadn't expected him to go this far, sending men to assault me while I was carrying his child for the eighth month.

They shoved me down, tearing my clothes. In a panic, I grabbed a rock and smashed it at them. While they dodged, I jumped into the car, floored the gas, and escaped.

"Brenden, please save Teresa!" I begged, finding him lounging on a couch.

"Well, well, isn't this Mrs. Stone?" he taunted. "What brings you to my turf?"

I ignored his tone. "Teresa is kidnapped. Please help me save her. Time is running out."

He eyed me up and down, smirking. "High and mighty, you never gave me the time of day. Now you're begging? Dressed like that, are you trying to seduce me?"

I hugged myself, remembering how I had slapped him once for getting handsy. He clearly held a grudge.

"I'm sorry. I was young and ignorant," I said, swallowing my pride. "Please forgive me and help me."

Saving Teresa was what mattered now, but he didn't budge.

He sneered, "And that's your apology? Not sincere at all."

Desperate, I slapped myself and said humbly, "I was out of line. I'm really sorry. Please send some men to save Teresa. She is too old to take the ordeal."

He leered at me, grabbing my chin and lifting my swollen face.

"If you'd come earlier, I might've believed you. You look so pitiful," he said. "But Billy just called, saying you're working with the kidnappers to kill Alicia. She is my girl. You think I'd help you hurt her?"

His tone shifted as he added, "A vixen like you need a lesson for causing so much trouble for her."

It turned out Billy had gotten to him first.

Ignoring my eight-month pregnancy, I dropped to my knees. "It's not true. I'll explain later, but Teresa is in danger. Please save her."

Brenden wavered.

Just then, Emily's call came, her voice breaking. "They broke Mom's legs, saying if no one shows up in an hour, they'll break her arms and kill her. What do we do? Did Brenden agree to help?"

Brenden cut in, "I can help you."

I looked up, hopeful, thinking he had believed my words.

However, he pointed to bottles of liquor on the table and said, "Drink all these, and I'll send men to save her."

My blood ran cold, but I clenched my fists and nodded. "Keep your word."

Teresa treated me like her own daughter. For her, I'd risk everything.

I grabbed a bottle and chugged. My stomach burned, twisting in knots.

Brenden mocked me. "Look at you, drinking like a champ while pregnant. If you'd just given in to me back then, would you have been in this mess?"

Unable to hold it down, I vomited and collapsed.

A warm gush flowed from my lower body, followed by sharp pain.

"What's the matter? One bottle, and you're done?" Brenden taunted. "You and Teresa are so close, right? You don't want to save her anymore?"

His words stung as I struggled to stand, but then I noticed he was on a video call with Billy. A camera linked to his phone recorded me.

In the feed, Alicia snuggled against Billy, teasing her dog.

"Is this your surprise? I love it," she cooed.