Chapter 2
Zareena’s POV
“Each of you!” Sullivan turned to the other women on the floor. “Give her a slap! After that, I’ll send you all to the best hospital and postpartum center.”
His men didn’t hesitate. They dragged me to the center of the hall and shoved me to my knees, completely ignoring the blood that was pouring heavily from between my legs.
One by one, the other women stepped forward, their eyes red with tears.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am,” they whispered, right before slapping me across the face.
One after another, slap after slap landed on my face, until my ears were ringing, my vision blurred, and I couldn’t hear out of one ear anymore.
Finally, when everyone had taken their turn and been escorted out, Sullivan walked over, cradling the baby the nanny had handed him. Shannah stood by his side, holding his arm like the perfect little wife.
He stopped in front of me and looked down. His eyes swept over the blood smeared on my skin, the streaks running down my face. For a brief second, something flickered in his eyes–hesitation, maybe even guilt–but it vanished just as fast. He lifted his chin, his tone icy.2
“Don’t blame me for letting them hit you. I had to teach you a lesson so you’d finally understand–if you let jealousy consume you, if you try to hurt people again, this is the price you’ll pay.“}
He paused, then sneered. “That way, you’ll stop dreaming about taking Shannah’s place as the mother of my heir.”
I froze. My whole body went cold. Slowly, I lifted my head to look at him.”
‘So I’m not the only one who’s reborn…”
No wonder he had believed her right away–before she’d even finished speaking.}
No wonder he said this “wasn’t the first time” I’d done something like this.
Because in our last life… he’d wronged me just like this. He’d sentenced me to death for Shannah’s sake.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
But he didn’t care. His voice stayed hard. “Playing the victim won’t work anymore, Zareena. Even if you gave birth first, it wouldn’t matter.“} He scoffed. “I already had the doctor give Shannah labor–inducing medication. She’s definitely delivering before you. Whoever gives birth first–that’s the real heir. Your kid? It’s worthless.“}
I gave a bitter, broken laugh and gritted my teeth. One hand pressed against my belly, the other between my legs trying to stop the bleeding.
My voice came out low and shaky.
“I already took labor inhibitors… I delayed my labor on purpose. I stepped aside for your perfect little family. So why? Why won’t you even let me give birth to my baby? Why drug me? Why try to kill my children?“>
He stiffened. His brows furrowed in confusion.
“That’s nonsense. Your due date was last night. I already asked the doctor. You should’ve given birth already.“}
Cold sweat broke across my skin as the pain spiked. Gasping, I grabbed his hand and pulled it toward my still–high belly.
“Look–look at me! I haven’t given birth!”
But he didn’t even glance down. Instead, he yanked his hand away like I’d burned him and gave me a disgusted look.
“Cut the act. If you want people to believe you didn’t try to hurt Shannah, then tomorrow at the press conference, admit you couldn’t conceive. Admit it was you who begged Shannah to carry the child for you.”}
“Then hand over all your shares, all your assets, to her and her baby. From now on, you’ll serve them–and serve them well.“@
He leaned in, his words colder than ever.
“And if you so much as try anything–if you touch even a single hair on her head–then I won’t just take care of you and that bastard in your belly. Your father, rotting in that VIP hospital room? Don’t count on him making it through.”
I stared at him, eyes wide in disbelief. My voice cracked as I screamed, raw and furious.
“Sullivan! You bastard! My dad’s in a coma–because of you! He saved your life, and now you’re threatening mine with his?!“}
He let out an impatient sigh. “As long as you behave and take care of Shannah during her recovery, I won’t lay a hand on him.”
With that, he turned to Shannah, wrapped an arm around her, and walked off without looking back.”
“Shannah,” he said softly, “thank you for giving me an heir. I’m going to reward you well.”
Blood was soaking through my clothes, spreading across the marble floor. I sobbed as I turned to his men still posted around the hall, begging them through gritted teeth.8
“Please… take me to the hospital. My babies… please save them…”
Just then, Terese, my mother–in–law, rushed in. Her eyes swept across the bloodstained floor, then landed on me–drenched in amniotic fluid and reeking of blood. Her face turned ghost–white at the sight.
“What are you all waiting for?!” she screamed. “Get her to the hospital now! If anything happens to my grandchildren, I swear, I won’t let any of you off the hook!”
8:15 PM
Finally, they rushed me to the hospital.
But once we got there… No doctor showed up.
Terese’s fury erupted. She stormed through the hospital halls, demanding to know what happened to the medical team that had been assigned to me.
