###Chapter 3
The sound of running water filled the bathroom, mixed with faint, suppressed noises from outside.
I stayed in the shower for quite long until everything outside became completely quiet; until the tears on my face were washed away.
I lifted my head and calmly put on my clothes, my expression cold. I saw our room had been cleaned up. But Robert didn’t notice that there was still a small wet stain under the dressing table.
Disgusting.
I took out my phone and snapped a photo. I saved it together with the video I had recorded earlier.
I went downstairs to get a glass of water. As soon as I reached the hallway, I saw Robert coming out of the kitchen with a bowl of hangover soup.
Silvia leaned against him, pretending to be drunk. “It’s too hot,” she said softly.
He lowered his head and gently blew on the soup to cool it. She then complained that her hair was messy. So, Robert picked up a comb and carefully brushed it for her, like it was something he had done many times before.
My nose stung with bitterness. I remembered how, once, I drank so much at a business dinner to help him secure a deal that I ended up with stomach bleeding. He had only asked the housekeeper to cook porridge for me.
I once asked him to comb my hair. He laughed and said, “I’m a grown man. I don’t know how to do that.”
My legs felt numb, but I forced myself to stand still. I didn’t want to walk in and look like an unwanted extra in their love story. I didn't want to be the jealous wife in a bad novel.
Eventually, Robert half-carried Silvia to the guest room.
I turned to go downstairs, feeling dizzy. Suddenly, my foot slipped. I fell hard down the stairs.
“Ah!” A sharp pain shot through my stomach. I curled up on the floor. I felt something warm slowly flowing down my legs.
My face turned white.
“Madam!” Aunt Poppy, our housekeeper, ran over in panic. When she saw the blood, she froze in fear. “I-I tried to call Mr. Kleinn, but he told me not to disturb him no matter what. He said even if the sky fell, he was busy taking care of Ms. Kleinn.”
I bit my lip and asked her to call a taxi for me. I went to the hospital alone.
***
The nurse asked anxiously, “Where is the patient’s guardian? There’s a risk of miscarriage. We need a family member’s signature!”
I weakly opened my eyes and grabbed her sleeve. “I’ll sign… the baby… I don’t want to keep it.”
My voice was soft, but it wasn't exactly an easy decision. Besides, Robert already planned to persuade me into abortion. He had the heart to say that despite us having this child after so much effort...
If my child's father no longer wanted it, then I'd let my baby go.
The doctor hesitated. “But we can try to save—”
“No need.” I closed my eyes. Tears slid down silently.
On the cold operating table, the bright white lights made me dizzy. The sound of medical instruments was cruel. Each movement felt like something was being cut out of my heart.
I bit my lip until I tasted blood, refusing to make a sound.
***
When I woke up, it was already morning. Ignoring the nurse’s advice to rest, I took a taxi home.
As soon as I entered the house, a man pulled me tightly into his arms.
Robert looked worried. “Where did you go so early, sweetheart? You scared me to death!”
Wasn’t it you who said not to disturb you even if the sky fell?
I almost laughed. I almost told him he no longer had to worry about his “dear sister” being upset because of the baby. Even so, I said calmly, “I went out for some fresh air.”
“Next time, let me go with you. I worry about you,” he said with relief. He led me upstairs and quickly helped me change into the new dress.
Robert didn’t even notice that my stomach was no longer round.
Today was his mother’s birthday. It would also be the last time I attended a dinner with the Kleinns.
His parents never liked me. They blamed me for not giving them a grandchild. They also believed I had made Robert too obsessed with love… so obsessed that he almost died in the earthquake.
But, they wouldn’t need to worry about that anymore. What they should worry about was the scandal their family was about to face.
The moment I discovered Robert's betrayal, I swore that even if I went to hell, I would take him down with me.
“Where is your dear sister?” I asked sharply, looking around when I didn’t see Silvia.
“My parents sent a car to pick her up early this morning,” Robert said. He seemed to notice my tone and kissed my cheek. “Relax. Silvy is just my sister. You know how much my parents spoil her. If I don’t take good care of her, they won’t forgive me.”
Yes. You take very good care of her. Even in bed. I was so sure his proud, reputation-loving parents would be very satisfied with his achievements.
When we arrived at the Kleinn's estate, Robert went to park the car.
I walked inside, then stopped.
The living room was lively. Theodore and Mary, Robert's parents, were sitting on the sofa. Silvia sat between them, leaning sweetly against Mary’s shoulder.
Mary took a jewelry box from a servant and carefully put a jade necklace and earrings on Silvia.
“Our Silvy is turning twenty soon. This is an early birthday gift from Mom. It's the Kleinn Family heirloom.”
Mary's face was full of love, pride and warmth. It was an expression I had never seen directed at me.
Theodore frowned with disgust. “It was supposed to go to my daughter-in-law… But when I think about that useless woman. Sure, she’s finally pregnant after so long, but her baby turns out abnormal. Ugh, it makes me sick!”
He added, “And she even dares to harass our daughter? I’ll teach her a lesson!”
