Chapter 2

The fierce baby seemed to sense the danger too.

"That old witch is up to no good. She's been adding something to the soup she gives you. It's small amounts, but it's consistent."

I held the bowl, even managing a placating smile at Amanda.

"Thank you, it's really delicious."

Amanda's lips curved up in satisfaction.

I tipped the bowl back, draining it completely.

Then, I used the excuse of needing the restroom, rushed into the bathroom, and forced myself to vomit by sticking my fingers down my throat.

I vomited until nothing but bile remained, then collapsed onto the floor, exhausted.

I couldn't sit idly by and wait for death any longer.

I had to contact the outside world.

I remembered I had a spare phone, hidden in an old briefcase in the innermost part of my walk-in closet.

During a bodyguard shift change, I slipped into the closet and locked the door.

I found the phone; thankfully, it still had power.

Fumbling frantically, I called my best friend, Chloe Green.

The phone rang only once before it was picked up.

"Hello? Elara?"

The moment I heard Chloe's voice, tears welled in my eyes.

"Chloe, I..."

I only managed three words before the closet door was suddenly kicked open from the outside.

Amanda stood at the doorway, two bodyguards behind her, a chilling smile on her face.

"Elara Thompson, who are you calling?"

She walked towards me, step by step, her heels clacking against the floor, each sound a hammer blow against my chest.

I instinctively hid the phone behind my back.

She didn't give me a chance to react; with a single glance, one of the bodyguards rushed forward, roughly snatching my phone.

Amanda took the phone and glanced at the name on the screen.

"Chloe?" She let out a short, dismissive laugh. "It seems I've been too lenient with you."

With that, she smashed the phone to the floor right in front of me.

The screen shattered instantly.

"Anything or anyone that might disrupt your pregnancy, I will eliminate completely."

She finished, then turned and walked away.

That night, when Julian returned, Amanda told him what had happened.

I thought he would at least speak up for me.

But he just listened in silence, then walked to my side and knelt down.

"Elara, Mom is doing this for your own good. Right now, the most important thing is for you to rest and nurture our baby, don't think so much."

His voice was as gentle as a placid lake, yet it sent a chill to my very bones.

I looked at him, asking, enunciating each word carefully, "Julian Thorne, I am your wife, not some tool your family keeps for breeding."

His veneer of gentleness cracked.

"How can you think that? I love you, Elara."

The fierce baby in my belly sneered.

"Love? His love means locking you up and then trying to kill one of your children."

I closed my eyes, not wanting to see his hypocritical face anymore.

From that day on, their surveillance tightened even further.

Two bodyguards guarded my bedroom door, never leaving.

I couldn't even close the bathroom door when I used it.

I started a hunger strike.

It was the only way I could fight back.

On the first day, Amanda watched with cold indifference.

On the second day, she started threatening me.

"Elara Thompson, don't push your luck. If you harm my grandchild, I'll make sure your whole family suffers the consequences."

My parents were my only weakness.

I glared at her with reddened eyes. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Just watch me."