Chapter 3

Back at the mansion, the front door was ajar.

Pushing it open, I saw Seraphina Monroe lying on the sofa, Dominic Thorne's hand resting on her rounded belly.

"Dominic, the baby kicked me again!" she cooed, playfully grabbing Dominic Thorne's hand and pressing it onto her stomach.

Dominic Thorne's face showed a tenderness I had never seen before. "It's really moving."

I stood in the foyer, my fists clenched.

Dominic Thorne saw me, and his expression shifted slightly.

He quickly walked over, lowering his voice. "Elara, Seraphina tried to harm herself again today. The doctor said she has prenatal depression. Could you… give us some space?"

I scoffed. "This is my home."

"She grew up with me; I can't just abandon her." His tone softened. "After she has the baby, I'll find a way to send her and the child away, let her break into Hollywood."

I said nothing more and turned to go upstairs.

Even in the bedroom, I could still hear their laughter.

"Oh, the baby kicked me!" Seraphina Monroe's voice was cloyingly sweet.

I curled up on the bed, my tears soaking the pillow.

Late at night, Dominic Thorne quietly slipped into bed and embraced me from behind.

"Elara, I'm sorry," his voice was hoarse. "We'll still have children."

My body stiffened.

He still didn't know that I hadn't aborted the baby.

"Ah—" Seraphina Monroe's piercing scream suddenly came from the next room. "Don't touch me! Get away!"

"Don't touch me! Don't photograph me!"

Dominic Thorne shot up, not even bothering with slippers, and rushed out.

All night, his gentle, soothing voice echoed in the hallway.

In the morning.

Dragging my exhausted body downstairs, the scent of frying eggs wafted from the kitchen.

Dominic Thorne stood at the stove. Seraphina Monroe stealthily wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, her face pressed against his back, smiling sweetly.

Seeing me, she immediately let go and spoke timidly, "Elara, my head hurts a little. Could Dominic help me get my hat?"

Dominic Thorne, without a word, turned and went upstairs.

The apology on Seraphina Monroe's face vanished instantly. She leaned closer to me, a smirk playing on her red lips.

"Dominic said the bastard in your belly should never have been kept."

I snapped my head up, my fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

She gave a contemptuous smile, lowering her voice. "Do you know the Sterling family? My powerful connections are with them."

She deliberately paused, savoring my rapidly changing expression. "The Sterling family just has to lift a finger, and the entire city would quake. What do you have to fight me with?"

I clenched my fists tightly.

The Sterling family was a true generational powerhouse, an old money dynasty, controlling a significant portion of the nation's economy. Forget the Thornes; even all the powerful figures in the city combined were mere ants before the Sterling family.

She suddenly stumbled backward, falling to the floor, and shrieked loudly, "Elara! I know you hate me for taking Dominic! I'll just end it all!"

"Elara!" Dominic Thorne rushed downstairs, shoving me violently.

I stumbled and crashed into the coffee table, a searing pain shooting through my lower back.

He immediately pulled Seraphina Monroe into his arms, his eyes icy and piercing. "What did you do to her? Can you stop acting childishly!"

"I didn't do anything!" My voice trembled.

"You better not have!" He hugged Seraphina Monroe tightly and walked out without looking back. "Seraphina, let's go."

I stood in the living room, my hand unconsciously stroking my lower belly.