I struggled to lift my head. "Official wife? The child? Roland, do you even have a heart! The child is dead! Killed by your own hand as his father!"

I gasped for breath, my voice hoarse with accusation.

Roland frowned impatiently. "What nonsense are you spouting now? Killing Ivy wasn't enough for you; now you're cursing your own child? Mirella, you've gone mad!"

I was extremely heartbroken. I gave a bitter, twisted smile. "How dare you mention the child? What right do you have? Do you even know that it was a fully formed baby? Because of your selfishness, he never got the chance to be born. Roland, don't you fear that child will come for you in your nightmares?!"

I screamed the words at him.

Roland froze, stunned. He let go of Vivian and stepped toward me.

He mumbled, "How could that be? It was eight months along!"

I gave a cold laugh and pulled back the blanket, revealing my sunken abdomen. The child could not be saved. When the midwife took him from my body, he was blue and lifeless.

Just as Roland's trembling hand was about to reach for my stomach, Vivian cried out.

"Darling, I can't hide it any longer. The real reason I left this time was that I caught Mirella with her lover in broad daylight. She lost the child long ago during their illicit affair! If I didn't run, Mirella would have killed me!"

She continued, "Think about it, darling. Why did Ivy die? And who could make Mirella defend him with her very life? Clearly, Mirella lost the child long ago and is now framing you to make you feel guilty!"

Vivian's words exploded in Roland's ears.

He took a step back as a look of realization dawned on his face. He said, "That's right. Vivian's words make sense. You haven't let me touch you since you got pregnant, and it's all because you already had your precious lover!"

I laughed, amused by Roland's self-deception.

"Today was the King's hunting expedition. The reason I lost our child was that I shielded the King from the assassin's attack. And where were you? Where were you when you should have been protecting the King? If you didn't go chasing after Vivian, our child wouldn't have died!"

Tears streamed from my eyes as I shouted emotionally, "Do you have any idea? Our son was so close to being born safely."

However, Roland did not believe a word I said. Murderous intent filled his eyes, and he drew the sword from his belt, pressing it against my neck.

"King? That was clearly your lover! You and that man, carrying on so shamelessly in the light of day. Did you think I was dead?! If you don't tell me where your lover is right now, I'll sell you to a brothel. Let's see if your mouth stays this sharp then! As for that lover, I will kill him. I'll tear him apart piece by piece!"

The cold, sharp blade pressed into my neck. Even the hot blood that welled up could not warm my frozen heart.

Suddenly, the sound of powerful footsteps approached. "How dare you! Roland, I am the so-called 'lover' you speak of. Do you intend to tear me apart piece by piece?"