Chapter 4

In the video, two intertwined figures were eagerly tearing at each other's clothes.

"If I got pregnant, would you drug me to miscarry, just like you did to Stella?"

Chloe pressed a finger to Julian's lips. "How could she ever compare to you? Old and boring. You're my sweetheart."

"If it wasn't for her status as a Hayes heiress, how could I have endured that old hag for so many years?"

"Once we're married in a few days, we'll figure out how to completely ruin her health. Then everything from the Hayes family will be ours."

Julian eagerly pinned her hands behind her back, his movements growing more intense. Heavy breathing filled my ears, mingled with the sounds of their bodies colliding.

Tears fell uncontrollably onto the phone screen. My throat felt constricted, unable to make a sound.

So, my first miscarriage was never an accident. Julian didn't just want my support; he wanted to take everything from me, to essentially inherit my family's fortune and discard me!

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, trembling as I saved the video.

Soon after, the police station called. "Miss Hayes, a vehicle registered to you is involved in an assault. We need you to come in for questioning."

I rushed to the police station. The front of my Bentley was utterly wrecked. It was my 30th birthday gift to myself, truly special.

The police said the person hit was still in the hospital. Chloe, snuggled into Julian's embrace, tearfully recounted her story to the officers.

"I really didn't mean to hit anyone. We were... in the car at the time. I panicked and accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake."

"Besides, this isn't even my car."

All my rage exploded. I clenched my fists and lunged, slapping Chloe hard across the face. "Ah!" Her head snapped to the side, a bright red handprint blooming on her cheek.

Julian ignored my pale face, immediately shielding Chloe behind him. His face grim, he grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the police station.

"Stella, are you insane?! This is a police station! How dare you hit Chloe!"

"What were you two doing in my car?" I stared straight at him.

His eyes flickered away, but Chloe's sobbing instantly ignited his fury. "It's just an old car! How many years have you had it? Why are you still treating it like a treasure?"

"Stella, you're older, you should be more mature! More magnanimous!"

"The girl was publicly humiliated. You'd be smart to take the fall for her, after all, it's your car!"

I raised my hand and slapped him. "Julian, you bastard!"

I could barely believe those words came from his mouth.

He once said, "I'll never let you suffer even the slightest grievance."

"I'll give you the best future, promise you the most magnificent wedding."

The vows had long rotted away. The young man who once loved me like his own life was long dead.

He froze for a second, then his tone grew even colder: "I'll get you a top lawyer. You'll only be in jail for a few days anyway."

"Chloe isn't like you. She's so timid; if she went in, she wouldn't want to live once she got out."

"Dream on!" I shrieked, my voice raw, and turned to leave.

"Stop her!"

"Don't let her get away!"

Julian's bodyguards rushed over, twisted my arms behind my back, and pinned me to the cold ground.

Smack! Smack!

Julian's hand came down twice, hard. The blows cracked against my cheek, and I tasted blood at the corner of my mouth.

A sharp, pulling pain tore through my lower abdomen, locking my body in a violent tremble.

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, glaring at him.

Julian calmly wiped my blood from his hand. "I told you not to touch her!"

Before I could move, he seized my wrist, forced my thumb down, and pressed my print onto the statement.

"When you get out, we'll get married."

I watched Julian walk away with Chloe, tears and blood streaking down my face.

My fists clenched until my nails bit into my own palms. I threw my head back and laughed, a raw, ugly sound ripped from my throat. It turned into a cough, and I tasted blood.

A whole week crawled by before Julian finally remembered I existed. He stood outside the police station, bouquet and diamond ring in hand. He waited from dawn till dusk, but I never showed.

A passing officer informed him. "Don't you know? Miss Hayes was picked up by her fiancé days ago."

Julian froze. Then his phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with a news alert. His pupils shrank to pinpoints. For the very first time, raw, gut-wrenching fear flooded his eyes!