Chapter 5
Jessica's POV
On our anniversary, Maddox, uncharacteristically, arranged for a stylist to come to the house.
When I appeared before him, dressed up, I had a fleeting illusion that I caught a trace of fleeting amazement in his eyes.
We went to the restaurant together. After we were seated, I was surprised to find that the dishes Maddox had ordered in advance were all my preferred flavors, a few of which I had only mentioned casually.
Then, he took out the small gift box, opened it, and inside was a bracelet I had seen in a store and really liked.
It was a couple's item, but Maddox wouldn't wear one with me, so I had only taken a photo and posted it on Ins.
I hadn't expected him to specifically buy it for me.
【It's been hard on you these past few years. I actually noticed it all.】
Another line appeared on the screen. His gaze was on my face, with a gentle warmth I'd never seen before.
At that moment, my heart uncontrollably stirred slightly. My nose pricked, and I quickly lowered my head, afraid the tears would fall.
Even though I had resolved to leave, the softest spot in my heart was still deeply touched.
Amidst the dramatic emotional fluctuations, the symptoms of early pregnancy unseasonably surged, and I couldn't help but turn aside, covering my mouth and dry heaving twice.
Maddox frowned slightly, typing to ask: 【Feeling unwell? What's wrong?】
I hesitated repeatedly. The warmth of the whole day gave me some courage. I wanted to try one more time.
"Actually, I'm pregna—"
My phone rang, cutting off my words.
Maddox glanced at the caller ID; his face subtly changed. It was Tessa.
He immediately answered. From the other end of the line, Tessa's frantic sobs could be vaguely heard, even by me:
"Maddox, come to the hospital quickly…"
The voice on the other end ceased abruptly as Maddox's phone automatically shut off.
He urgently rose, not even bothering to tell me where he was going, and hurriedly drove away.
Looking at the almost untouched food on the table and the empty seat opposite, I gave a bitter laugh.
My husband had abandoned me here because of a phone call from another woman.
I had lost my appetite and planned to get up to pay the bill, when several menacing-looking waiters suddenly surrounded me.
Without a word, they forcibly dragged me to the back kitchen, using brute force to make me kneel.
"What do you want? What you're doing is illegal!"
I shouted in panic, but they were unmoved. One of them slapped me across the face.
"Who told you to upset Miss Tessa? Mr. Miller booked the entire place today, no one else will come, so you can just take your punishment here."
"Maddox conspired with you? That's impossible!"
The other person sneered.
"What's impossible? Miss Tessa is Mr. Miller's true love."
My face stung terribly, but it was nothing compared to the heartache.
But I didn't even have a chance to cry out in pain.
Slap after slap rained down. At first, I had the strength to resist, but gradually my vision blurred, and my ears buzzed until I heard nothing.
I don't know how many times I was slapped. My entire face was numb before these people finally stopped.
"It's your honor, you and your mother's cheap lives paving the way for Miss Tessa. Next time, remember to be smarter."
They tossed me out the door like a dead dog.
My head spun, and I lay on the ground, unable to move for a while.
After a long time, the sky began to rain.
Cold raindrops struck my swollen face, finally clearing my head a little.
I took out my phone to call the police, only to find over a dozen missed calls on the screen.
As soon as I unlocked it, the phone rang again.
"Is this Ms. Jessica? Your mother suffered a sudden massive hemorrhage during surgery and is currently in critical condition. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible."
I couldn't hear anything clearly, but the sudden surge of dread made me rush to the hospital without regard for anything else.
The rain was too heavy. I couldn't get a cab. Dragging my injured body, I walked for an unknown distance before finally losing consciousness.