I woke up to the sharp, sterile scent of disinfectant.
The light above my head was so blinding I could barely open my eyes. Voices drifted in and out through the haze.
"Miss Meyer really had a stroke of bad luck this time," the doctor sighed, a trace of pity in his tone. "Those kidnappers were after the jewelry you bought at that charity auction."
"Idiots," Jeydon's voice cut through the air—cold, arrogant, heartless. "That necklace was for Krisha. How could it possibly be in Cheska's possession?"
My vision swam. So the reason I was kidnapped... was because Jeydon flaunted his love for Krisha.
Hot tears pricked my eyes. I bit my lip hard, forcing myself to stay awake, to stay conscious.
"She was just caught in the crossfire," Jeydon said lazily, as if he were discussing the weather. "But she did break Krisha's legs first and tried to run her over. Let's call it even."
My whole body went rigid.
Even now he could speak of my pain so casually?
The doctor hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. After a moment, he changed the subject.
"When will her parents arrive? She needs surgery as soon as possible."
"They're on their way," Jeydon replied coolly. Then his next words sent ice through my veins.
"While she's under anesthesia... sterilize her."
The doctor froze.
"What?" His voice rose sharply. "Are you insane?"
"Why make such a fuss?" Jeydon sounded annoyed. "Only Krisha is worthy of bearing my child."
"I've already sacrificed my true love to marry Cheska. Isn't that enough? What, does she actually think she deserves to carry my child too?"
And as if that weren't enough, he added, almost cheerfully, "Besides, when Krisha gives birth, the child will be registered under Cheska's name. She can be a mother without ever having to give birth herself. Isn't that a blessing?"
Monster!
My chest trembled violently, rage boiling up until I could barely breathe.
This... this was the man I had loved for twelve years? The man who caused my kidnapping and injuries... now wanted to treat me like a stray animal, casually ordering my sterilization!
"Stop arguing," Jeydon snapped as the doctor tried to refuse. "Her parents will be here any moment. Go prepare the operating room."
Their footsteps faded down the hall.
I forced myself upright, pain splitting through my skull. I ripped the IV needle from my hand and clenched my jaw until the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.
I couldn't stay here.
The entire floor had been cleared, it was empty. I leaned against the wall, inch by inch, each step soaking my hospital gown in cold sweat.
Then, through the elevator doors, I saw two familiar figures. My knees went weak. Tears blurred my vision.
"Dad... Mom..."
They rushed forward, catching me before I could fall. My mother's tears splashed onto my cheeks, burning hot.
"Cheska, my baby, what did they do to you?"
Choking back the sob in my throat, I whispered hoarsely, "We have to go now."
Without another word, my father scooped me into his arms and ran.
Only when we were in the car did I realize how drenched I was—my hospital gown clinging to me, the pain from my wounds flaring with every breath.
Outside the window, the world blurred into streaks of light and motion. I caught a glimpse of the date on the dashboard—three days had passed.
Three days...
I'd been held captive for three days, and while I suffered in some dark, filthy room, Jeydon had been planning how to rob me of my right to become a mother.
My parents took me to another hospital. I lay on the new bed, watching the IV drip fall one slow drop at a time.
Calmly, I told them everything—every word I'd overheard, every cruel thing Jeydon had said.
My father exploded with fury, wanting to confront him immediately. But I grabbed his wrist and shook my head.
"If you go now, we'll only lose more. Please, just wait. Let me recover first."
Just four more days.
Four days from now... I will make Jeydon watch as everything he loved turned to ashes.
