3
Hearing that, I looked up in disbelief at
Landon, who was still smirking.
That was my first baby. From the moment I
found out I was pregnant, I was so careful, so
full of hope and anticipation
But when I was five months along, Landon,
egged on by one of his friends, forced me
onto a horse.
The horse spooked. I clung to the reins for
dear life, but I still ended up being thrown
violently to the ground.
By the time I got to the hospital, the baby
was gone.
The next day, Landon’s scumbag friends sent
me a brief message saying Landon was in
some kind of trouble, then nothing more.
Worried sick, I ignored my weakened body
and rushed out in a downpour.
What greeted me was another one of their
cruel, elaborate pranks.
I’ve always been strong–willed, but that time,
I broke down and sobbed uncontrollably.
I even thought about giving up, ending it all.
But after that, Landon changed. He started
showing me a tenderness I’d never seen.
<
before.
And fool that I was, that tiny bit of sweetness
made me forget all the pain he’d caused.
“Vivian’s pregnant. She’s moving in here with
us, starting now,”
Before Landon could finish, I cut him off
decisively. “Fine. I’ll pack my things and leave
immediately.”
As I turned to go upstairs, Landon grabbed
my arm. “Who said you could leave? If you
go, who’s going to take care of Vivian?”
I looked at him, confused.
Landon said flatly, “Vivian doesn’t like
strangers. I’ve given all the household staff a
vacation. You’ve had a baby, you have
experience. So, I’d feel most at ease if you
take care of Vivian.”
I bit my lip, pulling my hand away from
Vivian’s grasp. “I won’t.”
“Nina’s not well, I need to take care of her.”
<
A flicker of hesitation crossed Landon’s eyes.
Suddenly, Vivian clutched her hand and cried
out, “Ouch! It hurts! Stella, if you don’t want
to take care of me, you can just say so! Why
did you scratch me?”
Landon rushed over.
A small scratch, barely breaking the skin, was
on the back of Vivian’s hand.
A brutal force suddenly shoved me.
I lost my balance and fell heavily, my forehead
slamming against a pillar.
Blood trickled down, and a wave of dizziness
washed over me.
I looked up, blood dripping from my brow. I
tried to wipe it, but it only smeared more.
Vivian giggled. “Landon, don’t you think she
looks like a monkey’s butt right now? It’s
hilarious.”
Landon covered Vivian’s eyes, his voice soft.
“Shhh, darling. Don’t look at such disgusting
things, you’ll have nightmares.”
I looked into his cold eyes, the disgust on his
face blatant.
Landon led Vivian away without a backward
glance.
Clinging to my last bit of consciousness, I
called an ambulance for myself.
I couldn’t leave Nina home alone, so I asked
the paramedics to bring her too.
But after my wound was treated, the nurse
who’d been watching Nina was gone.
A terrible premonition washed over me. I
searched the room frantically.
The terror of my past life descended again. I
was like a madwoman, running out, dialing
Landon’s number.
In the hallway, a crowd had gathered.
A plainly dressed middle–aged woman was
desperately holding onto a shifty–looking
man.
<
The man snarled, “Let go of me, you bitch!”
“No, not until you give me the baby.”
“This is my child, why should I give her to
you?”
“Liar! I just saw you sneak into someone
else’s room and snatch the baby when no one
was looking!”
The commotion was getting louder.
The baby, bundled tightly in the man’s arms,
started to cry.
