Chapter 5

I don't even know how I managed to get back to the office without alerting them.

Only one sentence echoed in my mind:

*Give me a child?!*

Disgusting. Truly, utterly disgusting!

I clenched my palms, my stomach churning, the urge to vomit overwhelmingly strong.

I rushed into the restroom and threw up violently into the toilet.

Sitting on the floor, drenched in cold sweat, my eyes were unfocused. I was back in what I considered my hellish sophomore year of high school.

Serena and her gang had cornered me in the restroom, forcing me into a humiliating kneeling position.

Serena gazed at me with malicious intent, muttering:

"If I destroy you, you won't be useful even if you go back to your real family!"

At the time, I had no idea how I'd offended Serena. I begged pathetically for mercy.

But they still stripped me naked and forced me into ice water for five hours.

By the time I was almost unconscious from the cold, a thick stick, like the handle of a shovel, relentlessly struck my lower abdomen, and then unspeakable, vile things were forced upon my body.

That day, I was sixteen, and I completely lost the right to be a mother.

"Hahahaha..."

I let out a low laugh, the sound dripping with unspeakable sarcasm.

The culprit who made me unable to have children now wants to give me a child?

Julian truly loves me!

And he knows how to hurt me the deepest!

I stumbled to my feet and walked towards the couch. An endless weariness emanated from the depths of my soul. I wanted to sleep.

Just one sleep, and everything would be fine. Preferably, to sleep and never wake up.

That way, I wouldn't have to face this bleak life.

Without even changing my clothes, I curled up under the covers, wrapping my arms around my legs, and fell into a quiet slumber.

"Iris, wake up!"

I was awakened by Julian's anxious voice.

I opened my heavy eyes, staring blankly at Julian, whose face was covered in stubble.

"Iris, you're finally awake! You had a high fever yesterday and slept for a whole day and night."

Julian looked at me, his eyes now open, and was overjoyed.

He carefully picked me up and held me, feeding me porridge.

"Eat something first to warm your stomach."

I mechanically opened my mouth, obediently drinking the porridge, docile as a lifeless doll.

But Julian didn't notice my unusual state at the time. He babbled on:

"Did Serena scare you? I've already given orders, she'll never be able to enter Davies Company again."

"And I've already taught her a harsh lesson!"

"Didn't you say you liked blue diamonds the most? There's an auction tonight, shall I take you?"

"Julian, I want to go home and see Mom and Dad."

I interrupted his chatter, speaking weakly.

Four more days. I wanted to see my family one last time. Since I was found, they'd always been good to me.

Before I left, I wanted to spend a little more time with them.

"Okay, I'll take you home."

Julian kissed my earlobe again, saying affectionately.

As he looked up, he noticed my wedding ring was gone.

His eyes narrowed, and he grabbed my right hand, his voice subtly trembling:

"Iris, where's your ring?"

I glanced at my bare finger and casually lied:

"I got oil on it at lunch. I took it off to clean it and accidentally dropped it down the drain."

"Oh, I see. It's fine if it's lost."

"I'll have a new, even more expensive one made for you with blue diamonds."

Julian's tense nerves relaxed, and he said grandly.

The Davies and Harrington homes were not far apart. An hour later, Julian took me back to the Davies estate.

The entire Davies family had already received the news; they were waiting at the door to welcome me before I even arrived.

"Iris, you're back? Why are you so thin? Hasn't Julian been taking good care of you?"

Mrs. Davies looked at my frail appearance, her eyes filled with heartache.