Chapter 4

Declan stammered, his eyes darting away.

“Seraphina’s children were constantly getting bullied at school. If I acknowledged them, no one would dare mess with them anymore.”

“She’s a single mom, it’s not easy for her, you can understand that, right?”

He reached out, taking my hand and gently stroking it.

A wave of nausea washed over me. I pulled my hand away and left.

I just had to wait for Liam to finalize the property division, then I’d be free.

The next day, when I arrived at the banquet hall, Seraphina and Declan were dressed in extravagant evening wear, greeting guests at the entrance.

Anyone who didn’t know them would think they were the couple of honor.

In the past, Declan always had custom gowns made for me for every event, big or small.

I walked up to Declan, gesturing to my simple attire, then to Seraphina’s elaborate gown.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Declan waved his hand dismissively.

“Seraphina hasn’t worn such beautiful clothes before. Anyway, the children are the stars tonight.”

“It doesn’t matter what you wear, does it?”

Even though I was determined to leave, seeing the husband I’d loved for so many years like this, my heart still twisted with a sharp, familiar pain.

I wandered aimlessly through the banquet, eventually finding myself in the children’s resting room.

Looking at the two sleeping infants in their cribs, I thought of my own baby, who would someday be just as adorable, and reached out to hold them.

Suddenly, the older children who had been playing nearby rushed over, grabbing my arms and biting down hard.

The others ran to the door, screaming that I was trying to kill the babies.

They ganged up, pushing me to the floor, pulling my hair, and splashing water on me.

Soon, the guests and Declan rushed into the room.

The children, seeing them, immediately sat on the floor and started crying.

Declan shoved through the crowd, hurrying to my side.

Without a word, he slapped me, not once, but ten times.

I was too stunned to speak, my cheeks swelling painfully.

Seraphina clutched a child, sobbing hysterically.

“Mrs. Thorne, just because you can’t have children, do you have to harm other people’s children?”

It happened so fast.

I hadn’t even processed it, only felt the screaming pain from every part of my body.

“That’s right, Mrs. Thorne! Mr. Thorne’s kindness to you is well-known in the elite circles.”

“He doesn’t mind you can’t have children. Can’t you even let him adopt a few?”

Everyone started to accuse me.

Declan, without asking a single question, had already decided I was trying to harm the children.

The guests’ words only fueled the fire.

“Someone, lock this vicious woman in a room! Let her out after the banquet!”

I cried out in disbelief.

“No! It wasn’t me!”

He ignored me. I was locked in that hotel room for three days.

No phone, no one brought me food. I was dizzy and lightheaded from hunger every day.

I kept pounding on the door until my palms were raw and bleeding.

Declan had completely forgotten about me.

He only remembered when he came back to settle the hotel bill.

When he saw me, my hair was disheveled, and I was pale and gaunt.

I felt a warm liquid trickle down my legs.

Gathering my last ounce of strength, I rasped out,

“Declan, save… save our baby!”

I collapsed before him.

Not long after, I was jolted awake by a splash of icy water.

“Aria, why do you keep lying about having a baby?”

“I told you, I’ll still treat you well after adopting the children!”

Seraphina stood nearby, her eyes gleaming with unconcealed triumph.

“Mrs. Thorne, lying will teach the children bad habits.”

“I heard you’re terrified of water. We should soak you in the bathtub to teach you a good lesson, to set an example for the kids.”

After that drowning incident all those years ago, I never went swimming again. Even showering, I had to do it quickly.

Declan knew about my fear of water, yet he stood by, watching me with cold indifference.

My hands were tied and hoisted up.

Seraphina operated a mechanical arm, dipping me into the water, then pulling me out, then plunging me in again.

“No! Please, no!”

“My baby!”

“Mrs. Thorne, you’re clearly on your period. And you’re still lying about being pregnant.”

“Hmph! Give her a lesson she won’t forget, so she won’t dare to lie again.”

The air in my lungs grew thinner and thinner. My lower abdomen ached, as if hammered.

But nothing, nothing compared to the agony in my heart.

I felt my child slipping away from me, little by little.

In the depths of despair, on the verge of death, I lost consciousness.

5

I woke up to the stinging smell of antiseptic.

When I opened my swollen eyes, Liam Hayes was sitting by my side. He shot up the moment he saw I was awake.