Chapter 4

He kissed her swollen belly, his face full of happiness.

He held her, showing the ultrasound to the camera, his possessiveness fierce.

He wore cute outfits he'd never tried before, cooperating with her playful poses.

The scenes were warm and sweet. In the non-stop flashing lights, I suddenly saw the scene of taking wedding photos with River.

The photos were simple, just a few taken with a phone.

He wore a gray-black cotton coat, I wore a cheap veil. Even though we were freezing in the cold wind, blowing white puffs of breath, our faces were full of sweetness.

Snowflakes filled the sky, growing old together.

To me back then, that was happiness, that was fulfillment.

But now, that phantom I thought I had firmly grasped had finally shattered.

"Ember, come quick and help me see which of these two is better!"

Summer summoned me again.

River quietly cast his gaze on me.

I braced myself on my stiff, numb legs and stood, then walked into the changing room. Only Summer and I were left inside.

"Ember, how do you think our photoshoot went?"

Her tone carried an edge I didn't catch at first.

"What?"

"Nothing."

She still smiled sweetly at me.

But as her arm reached for the clothing rack, all the gorgeous, exquisite dresses came crashing down.

Heavy steel poles all smashed onto my lower back. She screamed and backed away, drawing people from outside.

"Summer! Where are you!"

"River, I'm here! Come save me!"

River immediately rushed over and protected her pale face in his arms. Just as he was about to have the bodyguards help me, he heard her weak voice.

"River... my belly..."

She fainted after speaking, and River quickly scooped her up.

But my abdomen felt severe stabbing pain. I desperately reached toward him, using all my strength to call his name.

His jaw tensed. He clearly heard me, but he never looked back.

Blood quickly stained the wedding dress hem. I clearly felt my abdomen gradually growing cold, until something was pulled out of my body.

I don't know how long passed before I woke from the nightmare.

Summer's smiling face came into view, very similar to the scene when I first entered the hospital.

But this time, her eyes held a scheming I couldn't understand.

"Illegitimate children have equal inheritance rights. Do you really think I'd let you give birth to this child?"

My pupils contracted sharply. I pressed my belly in disbelief.

The scene of blood everywhere before I fainted kept flashing in my mind.

"You knew... the baby... my baby..."

Seven years ago, the doctor diagnosed me with blocked fallopian tubes, making it almost impossible for me to have children.

And this baby gave me my only chance to be a mother!

But...

"The baby's gone, isn't it! My baby is gone!"

I broke down crying and shouting.

But Summer calmly closed her eyes and gently pressed her finger to her lips.

"Shh, not enough yet."

She supported herself and slowly sat on the floor, smiling triumphantly at me.

The next second, she let out a piercing scream.

River happened to return with the little cake she wanted. He burst through the door and carefully helped her up.

"Summer, what's wrong!"

"Ember said I killed her baby, so she deliberately pushed me and wants my baby to pay with its life! What should I do? I really didn't mean to!"

Summer turned back into that innocent, pitiful appearance.

River looked up fiercely and condemned me without hesitation.

"You couldn't protect your own child, and you dare blame Summer! Someone, send her to Nightshade Auction!"

"No! River Dustin, I have nothing to do with you. You have no right to do this!"

Everyone knew Nightshade was New York's biggest den of vice. Women sent there for auction were either gang-raped to disability or death!

But before I could even struggle, I was already slung over a bodyguard's shoulder.

"Tell Nightshade her starting bid is one dollar. Only gambling debt cripples are allowed to raise their cards!"

"No! No! River Dustin, let me go! I'm not your wife. What gives you the right to do this?!"

"I won't go! I don't want the baby anymore! I don't want your-!"

Before I could finish, a hand clamped over my mouth.

The bodyguard beside me lowered his voice.

"Miss Ember, rest assured. Mr. Dustin will find someone else to take your place."

"It has to look like a misunderstanding. We'll keep you safe the whole time. You won't get hurt."

The elevator door closed quickly.

But the bodyguard soon let out a muffled groan and collapsed.

I was terrified. Amid futile struggling, I was stuffed into a sack by another group of people.

"Miss Summer already knew he left a backup plan. She specifically had us wait here for you. Just accept your fate."

I was completely hopeless, letting my tears fall.

But before we even reached the first floor, the elevator door opened eerily. Someone stood in the shadows outside, their eyes extremely sinister.

"You... how is this possible..."

The people in the elevator looked terrified, as if they'd seen a ghost, fumbling for their phones.

But I stared at that blurry figure and couldn't hold on any longer. I collapsed.

Whether I lived or died this time-

River Dustin,

I never wanted to see you again.