Chapter 8

After my wounds were dressed, I went to the restroom.

I just wanted a place to cry silently for a while.

From the next stall, I heard the sounds of a man and woman kissing.

After the wet, sticky sounds subsided, Ryder's voice, husky with passion, spoke.

"How was the prenatal check-up? Is our baby doing okay?"

Valerie's voice was sweet and cloying.

"The doctor said very healthy. Said it must be because Daddy's sperm quality is excellent."

Ryder let out a muffled chuckle.

"Baby, I'm not just excellent in sperm quality, am I? What about everywhere else?"

"Since the baby came, how am I supposed to know if you've gotten worse in other places?" Valerie giggled.

"Maybe little Ryder is all pent up?"

A zipper sound.

Followed by Ryder's even deeper, hoarser voice.

"Whether little Ryder is pent up or not, little Valerie, why don't you try it out for yourself..."

I clapped a hand over my mouth and gagged.

It was sickening.

I couldn't stand another second in there.

I bolted out of the restroom like my life depended on it, left the hospital, and took a taxi back to Liam's private estate.

I called Liam.

I wouldn't wait for Ryder's promise anymore.

Even if Ryder had lost his mind and actually kept his word, I wouldn't let him marry me.

He was too dirty.

Liam's phone rang three times before he picked up.

"What is it, Stella?"

Hearing Liam's voice, my tears immediately started to fall.

I opened my mouth, a sob catching in my throat.

The moment the words escaped, I heard a hurried voice from Liam's end.

It was a cool, clear female voice.

"Mr. Reed, the meeting was scheduled five minutes ago. Do you need to cancel?"

Liam quickly pressed me.

"Stella, what's wrong? Speak to me."

I silently hung up the phone.

I sent Liam a message.

`[Nothing, accidentally pressed my phone while sleeping.]`

Liam: `[Send me a selfie, let me see.]`

I looked at my red, swollen eyes in the mirror, then found an old picture in my album and sent it.

Liam didn't reply again.

He must have bought it.

I quickly packed my bags, booked the fastest international flight, and called a private car to the airport.

The driver arrived quickly.

I was alone, dragging two suitcases, a travel bag, and a large backpack.

The driver made no move to help me with my luggage.

I huffed and puffed, loading my own bags into the car, then got in.

The car door locked.

Ryder's voice came from the driver's seat.

Gentle, yet laced with bone-chilling coldness.

"Stella, you were so obedient by my side for seven years. Why are you suddenly disobedient now?"

"So much luggage, and heading to the international airport. Where exactly are you planning to escape to?"

"You promised to wait for me for a month. Did you go back on your word?"

"That vow of 'forever and always' seven years ago, did you feed it to the dogs?"

Ryder locked me up.

In the Sterling Deer Park Estate, just outside Veridian City.

Before Ryder left, he placed a calendar in my bedroom.

He said, "Start tearing off the pages from today. When twenty-four pages are gone, it'll be our wedding day."