Chapter 3

When we moved to the hillside mansion, Lucas didn't come with us.

"Chloe has it tough. I'm going to help her move her old things over. I've called the moving company for you," he said.

Every little thing felt like a dull knife cutting into my flesh, breaking my heart.

The hillside mansion was where I lived before marriage. As soon as I entered, I saw the large decorative painting Lucas had made. It depicted a newly developed tourist area with cherry blossoms in full bloom. He said he wanted to capture my most beautiful moment.

The floor-to-ceiling glass cabinets along the walls were filled with rare items he had collected for me from around the world. Now, they all seemed painfully out of place.

"Mrs. Liu, please find someone to lock all of these in the small room," I instructed.

After finishing unpacking, the doorbell rang. It wasn't Lucas.

"Sister-in-law, this place is much more comfortable than your marital home. You must have been wanting to move out for a while!" Chloe said as she entered.

I ignored her and continued eating my dinner, though it now tasted like sawdust.

"What's wrong?" Lucas asked as he came in carrying bags.

Before I could speak, Chloe quickly said, "Lucas, you were worried she'd be hungry, but she didn't even wait for you to start eating. Sister-in-law even thanked me. If it weren't for me, who knows how long she would have stayed in that small house."

I was completely stunned. Then I saw Lucas's face turn from red to black.

The marital home was Lucas's first major purchase after his career took off. It was proof of his hard work. He hated when people looked down on him.

I tried to find words to explain, but Lucas grabbed me forcefully: "Come on, let's go out to eat!"

His grip was strong, and I couldn't break free. Despite my pregnant belly and slippers, he dragged me out, ignoring my cries of pain until he shoved me into the backseat of the car.

He believed Chloe. He was furious.

What was left for me to explain?

The red marks on my wrist were glaring, bringing a numb pain that spread to my heart.

Suddenly, a violent crash rang out, forcing the car to stop.

That's when I realized I was bleeding. The pain intensified.

But I heard Chloe cry out: "Lucas, it hurts! Ah! My baby!"

Lucas's forehead was bleeding too. The panic in his voice was real: "Stella, are you okay? Let me help you out!"

How could this be? How could he care about me?

"Lucas, save me," Chloe's words snapped Lucas out of his daze. He swiftly and efficiently carried Chloe out, hailed a cab to the hospital, and never looked back.

Though my body was in pain, a smile crept onto my face. Don't be so conceited, Stella Gray.

A kind passerby, unable to bear the sight, took me to the hospital. The concerned doctor frowned and asked, "Where's your husband?"

Coincidentally, a nurse changing shifts was chatting: "Did you see that? If you want a husband, find one like Mr. Lee just now. We told him his wife and child were fine, but he still insisted on having them admitted. He didn't even care about the blood on his own head."

"Ms. Gray, you need surgery to save the pregnancy. We can't delay any longer," the doctor's words brought my attention back.

My body, numb with pain, along with my heart, finally calmed down completely.

"No need. I don't want this child anymore," I replied.