Chapter 4%
Poppy’s hands trembled as she shoved a bag into my arms, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
“Ma’am, I’ll transfer you to Hackensack right now,” she choked out. “Please–you have to hang on!”
But the pain was relentless. It tore through me like fire, ripping screams from my throat. My body was giving out. I could barely hear her anymore. Everything spun. Then–blackness.
When I came to, it was a jolt of agony.
A bucket of freezing water crashed down on me, soaking me to the bone. I gasped, coughing violently as I shivered on the icy floor, too weak to even sit up.
And then I saw him.
Sullivan stood over me, his arms crossed, his face twisted in a look of pure disgust like I was some shit under his shoes.}}
“You’re awake? Then stop faking it,” he snapped. “You knew damn well I’m making the official heir announcement with Shannah tomorrow, and you still made a scene, running off to another city to get “treated.” What–trying to frame Shannah like she hurt you?” Behind him stood Shannah, cradling her newborn, her face streaked with tears. Her voice broke as she looked at me, eyes trembling. “Zareena… I know you hate me. If you want to take it out on someone, take it out on me. Why drag his mother into this? Why take my baby?”
She started sobbing harder.
Before your assistant was dragged away, she was still shouting that Terese was going back to handle the paperwork to adopt my child…. saying I’m not fit to be the heir’s mother…”
Her words hit like daggers. I wanted to scream that it wasn’t true–that I hadn’t done any of it–but my throat was scorched raw. I opened my mouth. Nothing. Only air.
Still, I shook my head and tried.&
“I… didn’t…” I rasped, barely audible. “Please… just take me to a hospital… the babies… I can’t… hold on…”
“You’re lying again!” Sullivan snapped, clearly fed up. His brow furrowed. “My mom rushed out of the hospital and brought the lawyers to work overnight–don’t think I don’t know it was your idea. You think if you steal her baby, it’ll make you the official mother of the heir?” He let out a cold, hollow laugh.
“You already gave birth yesterday, didn’t you? And now you’re here pretending you’re still in labor, half–dead? Trying to guilt me into pitying you?” He sneered. “Save it.“3
My whole body ached. Every muscle screamed. Between my legs, I could feel the crusted blood clinging to my skin. The smell–iron, sweat, death–hung heavy around me.&
Shannah gagged, covering her mouth, her eyes welling up again.
“Zareena… you know I can’t take the smell of blood after giving birth… Why won’t you clean yourself up?” Her voice cracked, soft and fragile. “Are you trying to make me pass out?”
She collapsed into Sullivan’s chest like a wilting flower, delicate and pale.
“Look at you!” Sullivan spát. “You’re a mess–filthy, disgusting, reeking. You’re a damn embarrassment!“}
He raised a hand, and without hesitation, his men returned–this time with more buckets.
Ice water slammed against my skin, again and again, until I was numb, shivering so hard my bones felt like they’d snap. My lips turned blue. My body went limp. Still, they kept going–until Sullivan finally waved them off.”
Meanwhile, Shannah sobbed harder in his arms. Her voice trembled with hysteria.
“Please, Zareena.. I’m begging you. Don’t take my baby. If you’re really going to… then I’ll just jump out the window and die!”
She broke free from his arms and ran toward the window, looking ready to leap. Sullivan caught her, pulling her into his arms protectively. Then he turned on me, eyes burning with rage.
I had barely enough strength to grab the hem of his pants, desperate–pleading.
But he kicked my hand away like it was nothing.&
He crouched beside me, his voice low and deadly &
“You really think getting my mother involved is enough to keep your seat as the heir’s mother? I’ve already sent people to lock up the family villa. It’s over, Zareena. Whatever plan you had with my mother–it ends now.”
His next words sent ice through my blood
“And you–how many times have I warned you not to mess with Shannah or her baby? But you never listen. Fine. You leave me no choice. He turned to his men, his tone flat, like he was just ordering dinner.
“She pushed Shannah to the brink. Almost made her jump Time to make her pay Go. Pull out her father’s oxygen tube. Then toss him off the roof “N
“Not My scream tore from the depths of my soul. “Sullivan! That’s my dad! He saved your life!”
“So what?” he fussed. “He saved me just so he could sell you to me. So his daughter could marry into wealth. So his grandson would be my heir. He cashed in that favor for money”
8:16 PM
ది
He stood, looking down like I was already buried.”
“Well, he got what he wanted. I married you. I even let you carry my child.”
He paused, his face like stone.
“But you couldn’t even keep the first one alive. And that’s on you. I’ve repaid my debt. I don’t owe either of you a goddamn thing anymore
