Chapter 3

She tossed a document onto the table. "Your parents' restaurant, seems the recent health inspections haven't gone so well."

I trembled with rage.

I had no choice but to compromise.

I started eating, but every bite felt like swallowing razor blades.

I had to find a way; I couldn't let them succeed.

A plan slowly began to form in my mind.

That afternoon, when the maid, Lucy, wasn't looking, I secretly poured some shower gel on the bathroom floor.

Then, I slipped and fell heavily.

"Ah!"

I cried out, clutching my belly.

Lucy's face went white with fright, and she screamed, running out to get help.

Soon, Julian and Amanda rushed in.

Seeing me on the floor, a faint trace of blood beneath me, Julian's face instantly drained of color.

"Quick! Call Dr. Miller!" Amanda shouted.

My heart sank.

Again, the family doctor.

My gamble was that they would panic and send me to the nearest public hospital.

I had lost my bet.

But my mind raced, trying to figure out how to use this "injury" to create the next opportunity.

Dr. Miller, the family doctor, arrived quickly.

He performed a series of examinations, then shook his head at Julian and Amanda.

"She took a significant fall. It has threatened the pregnancy, and she requires immediate, strict bed rest. I recommend starting her on a nutrient IV to stabilize the fetus."

I lay in bed, cold all over.

I heard the fierce voice in my belly curse furiously.

"Foolish woman! Do you think they're blind? This pathetic sympathy ploy will only make them despise you more!"

I closed my eyes in despair.

Cold liquid flowed slowly into my body through the IV tube.

Soon, an overwhelming wave of drowsiness washed over me.

My eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

Before I completely lost consciousness, I heard the soft baby whimper:

"I feel so bad... my body's so hot..."

Immediately after, the fierce male voice roared:

"Damn it! They're drugging her! This medicine is meant for me! They're trying to kill me!"

My consciousness drifted in and out of the darkness, my body burning as if on fire.

No, I couldn't sleep.

Summoning every last ounce of strength, I bit my tongue hard.

The sharp pain brought me back to my senses, if only for a moment.

I opened my eyes; the room was empty.

On the back of my hand, the cold liquid continued to flow into my veins.

This was it, this thing, it was trying to kill my baby.

With my other hand, the one not hooked up, I trembled and ripped the needle from the back of my hand.

A blinding pain made my vision go dark, a tearing, burning sensation searing through my veins.

Ignoring the pain, I scrambled off the bed, stumbling into the bathroom and locking the door.

I turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my face again and again, trying to stay awake.

The drug was potent; my body grew hotter and hotter, but my limbs were starting to go numb.

Inside my belly, the fierce voice also sounded weak:

"Hold on... stupid woman... don't fall asleep..."

I slid to the floor, leaning against the cold wall, gasping for breath.

Not long after, urgent footsteps echoed outside.

"Elara! Open the door!"

It was Julian's voice, tinged with panic.

I didn't make a sound.

"Break down the door!"

Amanda's sharp voice cut through the silence.

The bathroom door was kicked open.