Chapter 2

It was almost midnight, and Adrian still wasn't home.

I sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, lost in thought. Outside, a storm raged, and the birthday cake on the table had completely melted.

In seven years, this was the first time he'd missed my birthday.

Suddenly, a deafening crack of thunder, and the entire mansion plunged into darkness.

My mind went utterly blank. "Adrian!" No response.

I stumbled to my feet, my back drenched in cold sweat. With visibility so poor, I tripped and fell hard. "Madam! Madam-"

The butler heard the commotion and rushed in, holding a candle. I was curled on the floor, clutching my head, trembling with fear. "Don't touch me!"

Just when I thought I was about to lose it, the front door burst open. A familiar scent filled my nostrils.

Adrian rushed forward, pulling me tightly into his arms. "Stella, don't be scared, don't be scared. I'm here."

He was soaked, dripping wet, but his arms around me were scorching hot and tight. Yet, I had already completely lost control.

This was the first time I'd consciously experienced darkness since my recovery. Long-buried memories surged back, overwhelming me.

I screamed and cried, my flailing hands leaving red marks on Adrian's face. "Get lost! Don't touch me!"

My erratic behavior made Adrian realize something was seriously wrong.

He rushed me to the hospital. In a haze, I felt like I was drowning, constantly gasping for air.

"Mr. King, your wife suffers not only from night blindness but also severe PTSD. She must have experienced immense trauma to be in this state."

The doctor's words drifted in intermittently.

"Also, Miss Chloe's condition is very serious. If she doesn't receive a uterine transplant soon, she may never be able to have children."

It turned out Chloe had gotten into a car accident after running out. When she woke up, she had a complete breakdown and tried to commit suicide with a knife.

"Adrian, if you blame me for being so ruthless back then, then I'll make your punishment come true and pay her back!"

The room was terrifyingly silent, save for the cold hum of machines.

After a long silence, Adrian sat beside me. He gently wiped a tear from my eye, then leaned in and kissed me softly. His voice was choked with a slight sob. "Don't let her hurt too much."

I desperately tried to open my eyes, but I couldn't move a muscle, only able to feel myself being wheeled into the operating room.

When the cold surgical scalpel pressed against me, I gripped it with all my might. "Ow! Madam, please let go!"

The doctor leaned in frantically, practically shouting in my ear. When he heard my whispered words, he gasped sharply.

"I understand. I'll relay your message to Mr. King." With that, he hurried out of the operating room.

But just as he was about to ask Adrian if he wanted to proceed with the surgery, news suddenly arrived that Chloe's condition had worsened.

Adrian's furious roar cut through the air, clear as day. "One more wasted word, and they'll suffer another second! Do it!"

"But Mr. King, your wife..."

"Shut up! What does an idiot need with a womb? Stella will have me in the future! You utter one more goddamn word, and you're out of this hospital tomorrow!"

The doctor returned to the operating room, a bitter expression on his face. The scalpel in my hand loosened its grip. As my abdomen was cut open, a few tears slipped from my eyes.

Gasps echoed through the operating room. Assistants covered their mouths in shock. "Oh my god, it's a nearly formed baby!"

...

When I finally came to, I was in a hospital bed. Adrian walked in and found me staring blankly at the ceiling, my eyes devoid of emotion.

A flicker of pain crossed his eyes. He took my hand, kissing it tenderly.