Carla’s POV
I slowly opened my eyes, blinking against the soft light in the room. A moment later, I heard a voice.
“Lady Carla, you’re awake.”
I turned toward the speaker and saw Nathan, the butler. He stood near the bed, a faint smile on his face, though his expression showed hints of relief and worry.
I glanced around, taking in my surroundings. The room was quiet and unfamiliar, yet it exuded a sense of privacy and safety. A single question escaped my lips.
“W-Where am I?”
At least I could speak now, though my body still felt heavy and unresponsive. Moving even slightly was a struggle.
“You suffered injuries, Lady Carla,” Nathan explained gently. “It was because of the accident. Thankfully, I only sustained minor injuries.”
I noticed his left shoulder was bandaged, his arm in a sling. There were scratches on his face and arms, but it seemed he had fared much better than I had.
“W-What exactly happened?”
Nathan’s expression darkened. “You almost died, Lady Carla,” he said, his tone serious. “Someone poisoned your IV while you were recovering in the hospital. It was a deliberate attack. Luckily, the nurses and doctors managed to save you just in time.”
I felt my heart race as his words sank in. Poison? An attack?
“After that,” he continued, “while you were still regaining your strength, I made a decision. I helped you escape from the hospital.”
I stopped breathing for a second there.
“Does… Alexander know about this?”
Nathan shook his head firmly. “No, my lady. Don Alexander has no idea. I kept this a secret because I trust you. And I only did what you instructed me to do.”
His words triggered a flood of memories. Suddenly, everything came rushing back—every painful detail I had tried to forget. My chest tightened, and tears welled up in my eyes.
“He cheated on me, Nathan,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “H-He betrayed me.”
The tears spilled over as the anger and hurt I had been suppressing poured out.
“I saw him with another woman in the hospital. He wasn’t even ashamed! He was furious with me, accusing me of killing his child.”
Nathan lowered his gaze, his expression somber.
“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” I cried, my hands clenching the blanket. “I didn’t want any of this!”
Nathan hesitated before speaking, his voice quiet but firm. “Lady Carla... I’ve known for a long time. Don Alexander has been unfaithful to you for years.”
My eyes widened in shock. “What? You knew?”
He nodded, “Yes, my lady. I’ve seen it all. That’s why, when you asked me to help you escape, I didn’t hesitate. I knew you deserved better.”
I struggled to process his words. The man I had loved, the man I had trusted, had been betraying me all along. My chest felt heavy with the weight of betrayal and anger.
“And now,” Nathan continued, his voice laced with urgency, “Don Alexander is doing everything in his power to find you. He won’t stop until he does.”
A chill ran down my spine.
Nathan stepped closer, his expression unwavering. “I’m risking my life for you, Lady Carla. But I made this choice because I believe in you.”
His words struck a chord deep within me.
I forced myself to stand, though my legs wobbled beneath me. Nathan quickly rushed to my side, steadying me with a firm but gentle grip.
“What are you planning to do, Lady Carla?” he asked, concern etched across his face.
“I’m going back to the mansion,” I said with determination.
“What?” His voice rose in alarm. “That’s too dangerous! You know what Don Alexander is capable of, and you’ve seen how far he’s willing to go. He won’t stop until he punishes you.”
I turned to him, meeting his worried gaze, “I’m not going back to surrender, Nathan. I’m going to show him what I’m capable of. He’ll regret everything he’s done to me.”
My voice was cold, each word carrying the weight of my pain and anger.
“I will make sure he pays for all of it. Mark my words.”
Nathan hesitated, his brow furrowing in frustration. But he didn’t argue further. Instead, he silently helped me sit back down.
I spent the next few days recovering at Nathan’s safe house, the place where he had hidden me after the hospital incident.
One evening, as I rested, he approached me hesitantly. “Lady Carla,” he began, “I can’t let you do this. Returning to the mansion... it’s dangerous. Don Alexander will hurt you. And his mistress is practically living there now.”
My heart clenched at his words, but I didn’t let it show. “But I have unfinished business with Alexander.”
He sighed heavily but nodded, realizing I couldn’t be swayed.
After a few more days, my body had regained enough strength for me to carry out my plan. Though the injuries from the accident still lingered, I was determined. The physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in my heart—a constant reminder of the unborn child I had lost.
The memory of it was unbearable. Losing the baby was devastating, but Alex’s betrayal had turned that grief into something sharper, more unbearable. Even knowing we had lost a part of ourselves, he had still chosen to cheat on me. That betrayal would never leave me!
Finally, the day came when we returned to the mansion. Nathan stayed close, ensuring I had everything I needed.
As soon as I stepped through the grand doors, Alexander was there to greet me—or rather, to confront me. His expression was dark, anger radiating off him in waves.
“Where the fuck have you been?” he snarled, his voice cutting through the tense air.
Before I could answer, he stormed toward me, his hand shooting out to grab my neck. His grip was tight, unrelenting, and filled with rage.
“Do you think you can just disappear like that? Do you know what kind of trouble you’ve caused me?!”
