The next morning, Irene stood at the door with a smile that looked almost shy.
In her hands was a crystal award—my award. The one Adam's assistant had delivered earlier that day, congratulating me for a project I had single-handedly salvaged for the company.
"Aunt Hillary asked me to bring this to you," Irene said softly. "She said it should be placed somewhere safe."
I stared at the crystal.
"It's mine," I said.
She nodded quickly. "Of course. I just thought... since it's so valuable, maybe I could keep it with me for now? Just for a few days. I'll return it, I promise."
I didn't answer.
She took a step closer. "You don't mind, right? After all, once the baby is born, everything in this house will belong to the child anyway."
My fingers tightened.
"Give it to me," I said.
Her grip faltered—but she didn't let go.
"I'm only trying to help," she whispered, her eyes reddening. "Why are you always so hostile?"
As we pulled back and forth, the crystal slipped.
It shattered against the marble floor.
The sound was sharp and final.
Irene cried out softly and stumbled backward. A shard grazed her calf, drawing a thin line of blood.
At the same time, a jagged piece cut deep into my leg.
Pain exploded through me.
I sucked in a breath, my vision blurring instantly as warmth spread down my calf. I knew that feeling too well.
Blood wouldn't stop.
The door burst open.
"Adam!" Irene cried, collapsing into his arms. "I didn't mean to... I just wanted to return her award..."
Adam's gaze swept over Irene's leg, then snapped to mine.
Blood was already pooling at my feet.
But he didn't look for long.
"Are you hurt?" he asked Irene urgently.
"I—I think so," she whispered, trembling. "I'm scared..."
That was when he turned to me, fury blazing in his eyes.
"What is wrong with you?" he demanded. "You know she's pregnant! Why do you keep provoking her?"
I opened my mouth. "She—"
Before I could finish, his hand came down.
The slap landed hard.
My head snapped to the side.
For a moment, I couldn't hear anything.
It was the first time he had ever hit me.
"Get out of my sight," he said coldly. "If anything happens to my child, I'll never forgive you."
I swayed, barely able to stand.
Blood soaked through my dress, dripping onto the floor, each drop heavier than the last. My hemophilia had always been well controlled—but stress, injury, shock... my body was spiraling.
"I'm bleeding," I whispered.
He didn't look.
He had already lifted Irene into his arms.
"Call the doctor," he barked at the staff. "Now."
They rushed past me as if I weren't there.
I stood alone in the room, my leg numb, my hands shaking as I pressed down desperately, trying to stop the bleeding.
It didn't work.
By the time I sank onto the floor, dizzy and cold, the crystal shards were stained dark red.
No one came back.
That night, lying alone in the hospital bed, IV lines in my arm, I finally accepted the truth I had been avoiding.
—
When I woke up, I was already at the hospital.
The pain in my leg had dulled into a deep, constant throb. The nurse had warned me not to move too much, but lying still made my thoughts louder. I reached for my phone and dialed the only number I still remembered by heart.
"Mom," I said softly.
She answered immediately. "Eleanor? How are you?"
"I'm at the hospital," I replied weakly. "There was an accident. I'll be discharged in a day or two."
Her breath caught. "What?! Are you okay? Do you want us to come?"
"Relax, I'm fine," I said. "Pick me up when I'm cleared to leave."
She paused, then asked carefully, "Then... do you want me to cancel the wedding?"
I closed my eyes. "Proceed with the wedding as planned."
There was no hesitation this time. "Alright. Your father will handle everything. Just come home."
"I will," I said.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
I stiffened.
Adam stood there, frozen just inside the doorway. His gaze was fixed on me, sharp and unreadable.
"What wedding?" he asked slowly.
