Chapter 4%
Lucas rushed to catch her and then turned to glare at me. “What are you trying to do now?”
Without responding, I handed him the document folder. “Sign.”
He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Lily clutched her stomach. “Ah! Lucas, my stomach… it hurts!”
Panic flickered in his eyes. Without even glancing at the document, he scrawled his signature, scooped her into his arms, and said, “I’m taking you to the hospital!”
I turned to leave, clutching the signed papers–only to be tripped violently from behind.”
I crashed to the ground. My forehead slammed against a metal fixture, and a warm stream of blood began trickling down my cheek.
Lucas turned instinctively, eyes filled with hesitation as if he might come help me.”
“Lucas! It hurts… please! The hospital!” Lily sobbed, gripping his sleeve tightly.
He froze, then turned away and carried her out without looking back.”
I lay there, the blood in my eyes turning the world red and blurry.”
Around me, people stared. Some looked amused. No one moved.}
Grinding my teeth, I pushed myself up from the cold floor. It was only then that I noticed–my wedding ring was gone.”
It must have slipped off during the fall. It had always been loose. I just hadn’t realized how loose.”
Ignoring the gawking crowd, I limped out of the venue and flagged down a cab.}
“To the hospital,” I said.”
The driver looked alarmed. “Miss, your head’s bleeding!”
I wiped my cheek. My hand came away red. I gave a faint smile.
“It’s fine. I won’t die.“}
At the hospital, the doctor frowned while dressing my wound. “Mrs. Turner, you’re still pregnant. Why are you doing this to yourself?“}
Before I could answer, the television overhead blared a breaking news bulletin.
“Shocking report! President Turner’s wife faked her kidnapping and cheated on her husband! Suspected of carrying another man’s child and secretly seeking an abortion!“}]
My vision went black for a moment.
Before I could react, the door burst open.
Mrs. Turner stormed in and slapped me across the face. “You disgrace! You’ve humiliated our whole family!“}
Reeling from the blow, I stumbled back. Before I could find my footing, men in black suits grabbed me and dragged me into the Turner family’s ancestral hall.
“Kneel!” Mrs. Turner barked.
I struggled, but my knees were forced down hard onto the freezing tiles.
She pulled out her phone, her voice sharp and unforgiving. “Lucas! Your wife’s scandal is all over the news! Everyone’s laughing at us!“}
On the other end, Lucas’s voice was tense. “Mom? Weren’t you and Dad in Australia? Why,–“}
“What? We can’t come home now?” she sneered. “You see what kind of woman you married?“}
