Chapter 4

They ignored my screams, dragging Leo and me into an alley. Leo was slammed onto the ground, letting out a sharp, desperate cry.

“Please, I beg you, don’t touch Leo! Do whatever you want to me!” I cried, begging and struggling to stop them.

But they snickered, roughly shoving me away, and then punched Leo again. I watched helplessly as Leo’s small body twisted at unnatural angles, blood oozing from his soft lips.

“Leo… Leo…”

Tears blurred my vision, my heart tearing with agony. He was just laughing a moment ago, saying he loved Mommy… and now he was bleeding…

Warm, sticky blood flowed from between my legs. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and a foul odor assaulted my senses.

“Alright, alright, he’s probably gone.”

“Wonder if the life-for-a-life ritual works. Hope Miss Scarlett gives birth to a healthy boy and marries into a rich family!”

A mouthful of blood sprayed everywhere, yet I felt nothing. As I lost consciousness, I kept thinking, over and over:

*Leo’s birthday is in a few days. I need to buy him a big cake, and that toy car he wanted…*

The pungent smell of disinfectant stung my nostrils. I struggled, waking from the nightmare. Looking at the unfamiliar ceiling, I shifted, and sharp pain shot through my lower body.

“Miss Isabelle, please don’t move. You’ve just suffered a violent assault. Thankfully, you have a strong constitution, and the baby inside you is fine. You need to rest properly…”

“My Leo?” I managed to ask, the only thing that mattered to me.

The doctor’s expression shifted to one of sorrow and pity. That was all I needed to understand everything—it wasn’t a nightmare, it was real!

“He’s in the morgue. Our efforts were in vain. Please accept our deepest condolences.”

Dragging my weak body, I ran and crawled to the morgue. Among the white sheets, I found a small body. I pressed a hand hard against my chest, bending over, gasping for air. I opened my mouth but couldn’t speak. Large, heavy tears streamed down my face.

When Liam entered, he saw me kneeling on the floor, consumed by grief. For a moment, his face contorted with a complex mix of emotions. He reached out to help me up, but I pushed his hand away.

“Liam, my Leo is dead. I wish you would die too.”