Blood soaked the hem between my legs.
My Maggie seemed to be leaving me again.
My body lurched, and I collapsed uncontrollably.
I regained consciousness in a hospital.
The doctor looked at me sadly and said the baby could not be saved.
"The severe blow to your abdomen, combined with the emotional shock, has caused critical damage. You must rest and recover." I closed my eyes in near despair. I felt utterly hopeless. My daughter, my Maggie. She still would not forgive me. She left me again. The doctor added, "Mr. Westbrook is astonishing. He assumed you were faking illness and stayed with Miss Rowe the whole time, refusing to come."
"Ah. Back then, your relationship was so enviable..."
I said nothing, quietly making my choice.
At the villa, the floor was strewn with debris.
Serena Rowe was bossing people as they tossed my belongings outside.
Seeing me return, she smiled with triumph.
"Sophia, thanks for that shot."
"Brother Samuel said I was too frightened and likely to have an accident, so he told me to move here to recuperate."
Samuel shook his head and said, "Nonsense," but without reproach.
He only added, "About Maggie, Serena didn't mean any harm."
"I've arranged a new place. I'll let Serena stay here for now. She behaves well and won't disturb you, let alone replace you." "
In Harbor City, no one can take my place.
Not even Samuel."
I ignored them and flew to the airport alone, carrying the urn of ashes.
When the plane left Harbor City, I armed the bomb at the villa.
Gazing at the familiar land below, I whispered:
"Samuel, you promised..."
"If you betray me, you will not die well."
You cannot escape that.
I'll make sure you achieve it.
...
At the villa, Samuel, about to make love for Serena Rowe, received a call from Dr. Lawson.
The doctor's tone was sharp and reproachful.
"Mr. Westbrook, Sophia has suffered so much with you over the years. How could you not be there when she had a car accident and miscarriage?"
"You've already hurt her once. If she learned the truth of that year... I fear she would never forgive you." "Car accident? Miscarriage?" Those unfamiliar words tugged at Samuel's memory of Sophia's pale face that day. He glanced at the way Sophia had left, uneasy. Before he could ask more, an explosion boomed across the land.
