Where Love Began to Hurt Ch 4

Chapter 4
Everyone silently turned to look at Adelia.
She stood frozen, confused—until a distant shriek broke the stillness.
“Gwen!”
Gwen had fainted from the curse.
Ethan’s face changed. He rushed over, scooped her up, and ran toward the infirmary.
Adelia stood dazed until a sharp slap snapped her out of it.
“I raised a monster like you?!” Jordan roared, veins bulging. “Gwen’s barely holding on, and you curse her on top of that?!”
Adelia stumbled back, accidentally knocking over a tower of champagne. The glasses shattered, and she collapsed onto the shards.
“It wasn’t me!” she gasped through the pain.
“Shut up!” Jordan snapped. “You’ve always hated how we favored Gwen. Now she’s dying, and you can’t show a shred of sympathy?
“Someone, lock her up!”
—
Adelia was thrown into a pitch-black room.
She had feared the dark since she was a child—and she was claustrophobic.
The moment the door slammed shut, her breath caught. Darkness surged in like a tide.
She banged on the door, blood smearing the wood. “Open up! Please! Let me out!”
But outside, it was dead silent.
Her strength drained. She slid to the floor, chest heaving, vision darkening.
She didn’t know how much time had passed.
Just as she was about to black out, the door creaked open. She crawled toward the light—
Splash!
A bucket of thick, foul blood poured over her.
Then another. And another…
She choked, barely breathing.
Through the haze, she saw a familiar figure at the door.
It was Ethan.
He stood at the edge of the light, watching as his men dumped blood over her—without stopping them.
Only after the final bucket, he walked over.
He knelt and gently wiped her face with a silk handkerchief. His voice was ice.
“Gwen woke up. She didn’t blame you. She even begged for you—said you were just possessed, not truly cruel.
“This blood? I had it prepared. It wards off evil.” He paused. “But it needs three full days to work.”
A flicker of fear passed through her eyes. She grabbed his hand, trembling. “I swear, I didn’t curse her. Please believe me…”
“Adelia.” He peeled her fingers away, one by one, slowly and mercilessly. “You made a mistake. You get punished. Even a child knows that.”
Her fingertips grew cold. Her lips parted in a desperate whisper.
“Please, don’t leave me here. I’m scared of the dark…”
“What about Gwen?” His eyes were cold. “Did you think about her fears when you cursed her?”
Adelia’s mind spun.
She remembered that stormy night—power out, huddled in a corner.
It was Ethan who lit candles all over the room and held her close, his warm palm on her back. “Don’t be scared, Lia. I’m here.”
Now, the same man was the one casting her into the darkness.
Suddenly, pain ripped through her stomach.
She clutched her belly, feeling warm liquid gush out.
Her voice cracked as she grabbed his pant leg, trembling.
“Ethan, it hurts… I think I’m having a mis-carriage. Please, take me to the hospital…”
He paused, frowning. “You’re not pregnnant. How could you miscarry?”
“I am…” she gasped, nearly fainting. “I’m carrying your…”
“Enough.” He didn’t believe her. “I’ll pick you up in three days.” Then he left.
Adelia whimpered like a wounded animal, clawing at the floor—unable to hold him back.
Her fingers curled, scratched the air, and finally fell limp.
She lay in a pool of blood.
Before blacking out, a bitter smile tugged at her lips.
“Ethan…
“Now I see you for who you really are.”