Chapter 5
The family hall was cold and damp.
Marissa stayed on her knees on the stone floor, her knees numb. Flickering candlelight illuminated rows of framed portraits, as if the ancestors were silently judging her.
“I didn’t poison her…” she whispered, tears falling onto the stone.
Memories flooded her mind.
In college, when she was hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis, Matt skipped classes for three days to stay by her side; after they married, he always remembered to make hot chocolate for her period cramps; even when she cut her finger, he’d get anxious..
And now, knowing she feared the dark and cold the most, he still let her stay on her knees here all night.
At dawn, Marissa finally collapsed on the cold floor of the hall.
When she woke up, she was lying in her bedroom bed with an ice pack on her forehead.
Matt sat by her side and, seeing her open her eyes, leaned in immediately.
“Marissa, you’re awake. Does it still hurt?”
She turned her face away, her voice hoarse. “I’m the one who harmed your child. Why are you here?”
Matt’s expression stiffened, then he explained, “We found out Leah ate some bad seafood…”
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Marissa scoffed, “But she said she only ate my oatmeal.”
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“She didn’t mean it,” he frowned. “It’s normal for pregnant women to have memory problems…”
Marissa closed her eyes, not wanting to hear more. She knew Leah’s tactics well–clumsy but effective. Still, she didn’t bother exposing her, knowing Matt wouldn’t believe it.
Seeing her silence, Matt grew guiltier. In the following days, he tried everything to cheer her up–limited–edition bags, high–end jewelry, custom–made dresses… The gifts piled up in the closet.
In the end, he suggested taking her to a cruise auction to relax. But when Marissa opened the car door, Leah was sitting in the back, smiling sweetly.
“The doctor said pregnant women need some relaxation too, so I brought her along,” Matt explained.
Marissa said nothing and quietly got in.
The cruise was dazzlingly lit. When Leah linked arms with Matt, she instantly became the center of attention.
“Is that Mr. Holloway’s new love? I heard she used to be a poor student…”
“Talk about a rise to the top–now she’s got status because of the baby.”
“Too bad for Marissa. From school uniforms to wedding dresses, Matt once spoiled her so much.”
“But she couldn’t have kids–that’s the original sin!”
The whispers cut like knives, but Marissa walked through the crowd without a flicker of emotion.
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Once the auction started, Matt forgot he was supposed to be cheering Marissa up.
Every time a piece came out, Leah’s eyes lit up as she tugged on his sleeve.
“Mr. Holloway, this one’s beautiful…
“Mr. Holloway, I really like this vase.
“Mr. Holloway, Monet’s Water Lilies are stunning.”
Matt spared no expense on every piece of jewelry and antique Leah wanted; he even placed an unlimited bidding just for her, the highest form of indulgence at any auction, meaning he’d pay any price.
When the auction ended, Matt went to settle the bill.
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Marissa, wanting to escape the crowd’s judgmental stares, went alone to
the deck.
The sea breeze was cool. Just as she steadied herself, Leah’s sweet voice came from behind. “Marissa, enjoying the breeze alone?”
Marissa didn’t turn around.
Leah came up beside her, voice dripping with smugness.
“Mr. Holloway just bought me the same necklace you wore at your wedding.
“He said it looks better on me.”
Marissa’s fingers clenched slightly.
Leah pressed on, taunting, “Honestly, I should thank you–if you hadn’t been unable to have children…”
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Before she could finish, a sudden fierce wind swept across the sea!
“Ah!” Leah screamed as the wind threw her toward the railing. Instinctively, she grabbed Marissa’s hand, pulling her down too!
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Cold seawater surged over their heads. Marissa couldn’t swim. The salty water filled her nose, choking her.
In a daze, she heard a rescuer shout, “Mr. Holloway, limited gear! We can only save one–make your choice quickly!”
Then Matt’s voice came without hesitation, “Save Leah!”
In that moment, Marissa’s heart froze completely. She stopped struggling and let herself sink slowly.
Water filled her ears, but couldn’t drown out the sound of her broken
heart.
***
When the rescue team finally pulled her up, it was five in the morning.
“Ma’am? Ma’am!” The rescuer slapped her cheek. Marissa’s eyes fluttered open to the dawn sky.
Her lips were blue, her body uncontrollably shaking, and she felt no
warmth.
“Your body temperature is dangerously low. You need immediate medical attention, or you risk going into shock.”
Marissa nodded numbly and took a cab to the hospital alone.
The hospital corridor was empty. Dragging her drenched body forward, she heard Matt’s voice around the corner.
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“All doctors to Leah’s room! Now!” His voice was more frantic than she’d
ever heard.
Leaning against the wall, Marissa watched the doctors rush into the ER.
Soon, the attending doctor came out. “Mr. Holloway, Ms. Jensen isn’t in life–threatening danger, but her fever won’t go down. Strong medication is unsafe for pregnant women, so we have to rely on physical cooling.”
“How do you do physical cooling?” Matt’s voice was tense.
The doctor hesitated. “The most effective way is body heat transfer. You need to take off your shirt and hold her. Less clothing means better
results.”
The room suddenly fell silent.
“Mr. Holloway…” Leah’s weak voice came through, “I know you love Ms. Spencer…
“But I’m the one carrying your child now…
“Even if not for me, do it for the baby… please help me.”
Her voice cracked with tears. “Ms. Spencer won’t find out… just this once… Do you want to watch me and the baby get hurt?”
Marissa stood outside the door, hearing Matt’s long silence.
Finally, he said in a hoarse voice, “Everyone get out.”
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