Chapter 4

Sitting on a cold bench in the OB-GYN department hallway, I waited for my number to be called for my prenatal check-up.

"What are you doing here?"

Hearing Jason's familiar voice, I clutched my three-month pregnancy check-up report tightly in my hand.

"Doctor's appointment."

He stared at the OB-GYN sign, his face changing, a hesitant look in his eyes.

Just as he was about to say something, Sarah interrupted him.

"Jason!" She scurried over in flats, grabbing his arm. "The doctor said you need to come in with me."

"My baby is three months along, and the doctor wants to go over some things with you, the expectant father..."

My breath hitched. Three months.

So early.

In my past life, three months ago was the peak of his startup's struggle.

He was out constantly, and I'd felt so sorry for him, I'd even put my own flower shop on hold. I learned to cook all his favorite meals, tried to make things easier.

It wasn't the business that was consuming him.

He had already found his wealthy birth family. He already had a child with another woman.

No wonder he was so frantic when I struck Sarah.

And in my past life, when I lost our baby...he showed nothing. No grief, no anger.

He already had a spare.

Sarah noticed me, her expression mocking.

"What, are you pregnant too?!"

"Don't think you can come to the hospital with some fake report and trick your way into marrying Jason Thompson."

I forced a smile.

"Ms. Sinclair, if you have trust issues, you should see a psychiatrist. Not everyone is desperate for your man."

Sarah's face instantly flushed, and she started to play the victim.

"Jason, why is she talking to me like that?"

"Last time, if it weren't for her slap, I wouldn't have had unexplained stomach pain and bleeding!"

Jason's face was colder than ice.

Then, with his silent permission, two bodyguard-like men walked towards me and dragged me into the stairwell.

Without a word, they grabbed my hair, forcing my head back.

A loud slap landed on my face, and another bodyguard raised his leg, aiming for my stomach.

I'm pregnant too! I struggled desperately, but the bodyguards slapped me several times.

I closed my eyes in despair, instinctively protecting my lower abdomen.

But it was useless. They kicked my stomach with full force.

My stomach hurt so badly.

Sarah still wasn't satisfied.

But Jason stepped in front of me first.

"Sera, the doctor said you shouldn't get too agitated; it's not good for the baby. Let's leave it at that for now."

Jason's voice was gentle as he held her shoulder, half coaxing, half escorting her away.

He never once glanced at me, curled up on the ground.

Blood flowed all over the floor beneath me, my stomach was in agony, and I felt the tiny life inside me slowly fading away.

Finally, a passing nurse found me and helped me onto a stretcher.

Ding. My phone screen lit up. It was a message from Jason.

I didn't open it; I just dragged his number straight into my blacklist.

I lay on the hospital bed, tears silently tracing paths down my face.

My baby was gone.

I stayed in the hospital for two days, until my flower shop employee called me, saying someone had trashed my store.

My body hadn't fully recovered, but I endured the pain and rushed over.

...

Just like in my previous life, Sarah came to the flower shop to cause trouble.

Even after what happened at the hospital.

She wasn't someone who would let things go.

I stood at the doorway, calmly watching everything unfold.

Sarah imperiously directed everyone, smashing my flower shop to smithereens.

Glass shards exploded, grazing my calves, but I felt no pain.

I remembered once, while arranging roses, my finger was pricked by a thorn, and a bead of blood appeared.

Jason saw it, held my hand, his brow deeply furrowed.

He ran to find a bandage, muttering for me to be careful in the future.

But now, he merely stood beside Sarah, oblivious to the destruction, letting her vent.

His gaze fell on me, devoid of guilt or concern.

In his eyes, I saw a struggling resentment.

He hated me.

I didn't know what he hated me for.

Did he resent our seemingly unequal relationship from the past?

Or did he resent my family for having sponsored him, making him feel indebted and unable to hold his head high?

I looked up, meeting Sarah's gaze.

"When you're done smashing everything, remember to pay for the damages."

Sarah laughed as if she'd heard a joke.

"Pay? Jason, did you hear that? She actually wants money. Is this cheap woman insane from poverty?"

As she spoke, she grabbed an unbroken vase nearby and threw it at my head.

I dodged, and the vase shattered against the wall behind me.

I stepped forward, intending to fight back, but Jason's hand clamped down on my wrist.

Jason's eyes blazed with fury, and he roared, "What right do you have to fight back?!"