Skye Montgomery felt a sharp cramp twist in her stomach, and then a warm trickle ran down her legs.
"Skye... help me..."
Skye was already confused in the bathroom when she suddenly heard her sister Mae Carr calling for help. Panic hit her like a wave, and she rushed out.
Seeing the steady stream of blood from Mae's legs, Skye grabbed her phone with shaky hands and dialed 911. "Hello, 911? My sister is bleeding heavily. Please hurry to Jameson Avenue in the South District..."
By four in the morning, they were in the maternity ward.
Skye sat by the hospital bed, watching Mae, who had fallen into a deep, exhausted sleep. The doctor's words kept replaying in her head: "I'm sorry, but the baby couldn't be saved."
Tears filled Skye's eyes.
The child Mae had fought so hard to keep was gone. Was that just fate?
After a moment's hesitation, Skye pulled out her phone and called Bryce Carr.
The phone rang several times before a woman's saccharine voice answered, "Who's calling so late? Don't you know Bryce and I are asleep?"
Skye said nothing and hung up. Bryce didn't deserve her sister.
When Mae woke up, it was already nine the next morning.
She opened her eyes to find Skye dozing off beside her bed.
Unable to help herself, she softly called, "Skye?"
Skye sat up the moment she heard her sister's voice, forcing a smile to act as if everything was fine. "Sis, you're awake. Are you hungry? I can get you something to eat."
She planned to wait until Mae's emotions settled before breaking the news about the miscarriage.
But Mae calmly asked, "Skye, the baby's gone, isn't it?"
Skye had braced herself for her sister to fall apart, to be inconsolable. Yet Mae didn't shed a tear.
Gently, Skye reassured her, "There'll be other chances to have kids in the future."
Mae let out a hollow laugh. "The future? Bryce and I don't have a future."
The baby was the only thread holding them together. Without the child, what future could there be?
Mae's eerie calm unsettled Skye. "Sis?"
"Skye, could you help me find a lawyer?" Mae suddenly changed the subject.
"What do you need a lawyer for, Sis?" Skye asked with a frown.
Mae lowered her eyes, her emotions unreadable. "It's time to divorce Bryce."
Skye was taken aback.
Up until now, no matter how much Skye had tried to persuade her, Mae had insisted on holding onto her marriage.
Why the sudden change? Was it because of the lost baby?
But Skye didn't push it. She just nodded. "Okay! I'll find you the best lawyer!"
In the past, Mae had done everything to protect her. Now Skye would be her sister's fiercest ally.
As Skye exited the maternity ward, she spotted two familiar figures down the hall—Alexia Richards and Walker Ryan.
Her ex-fiancé and former best friend.
Skye had no intention of engaging with them and turned to walk away.
But Alexia's sugary voice called out, "Skye, what brings you to the hospital? Are you feeling unwell?"
Skye stopped, turning to face the woman who pretended to be a caring friend but was nothing more than a conniving snake.
Once, Alexia had faked frailty and concern, making Skye believe she was a true friend. Only later did Skye uncover her deceitful nature—sneaking around with Walker behind her back!
With a cold smile, Skye replied, "This is the maternity ward. What do you think I'm here for?"
"You're pregnant?" Walker's face twitched slightly, his gaze sharpening on Skye.
In over two years with him, she'd remained untouchable, even denying him her first kiss. And yet, a year apart and she's pregnant?
Was her previous restraint all just an act?
A strange look flickered through Alexia's eyes, but she kept up the concerned facade. "Skye, I hadn't heard you had a boyfriend. Whose child is it?"
Suddenly, Alexia theatrically covered her mouth in shock. "Don't tell me... you've been with a wealthy older man?"
Skye's cold eyes swept over Alexia, a sly smile playing on her lips. "What business is it of yours?"
Her beautiful face exuded an air of noble allure, completely shedding the image of a fallen heiress.
Alexia clenched her fingers tightly, her eyes darkening.
She had eagerly anticipated the Montgomerys' downfall, excited to overshadow Skye, only for Skye to latch onto wealth?
Did Skye think cozying up to a rich sugar daddy would make her stand out?
Feigning the demeanor of a good friend, Alexia said, "Skye, how can you do something so morally questionable?"
Skye chuckled lightly. "Even if I lack a moral compass, I'm still better than those who resort to scavenging—or rather, 'stealing' trash."
She emphasized the word 'stealing,' making Walker's expression darken instantly.
How could he miss Skye's insinuation that he was trash?
Yet Alexia, undeterred, pulled out an invitation from her bag, offering it with a smile. "Skye, Walker and I are having our engagement party next Friday. We hope you'll come."
Without any expression, Skye took the invitation, her lips curling into an alluring smile. "Don't worry, I'll be there."
With that, she walked away with dignity, leaving them exchanging meaningful glances.
Watching Skye's retreating figure, Alexia smugly said to Walker, "Walker, I can't believe Skye is being kept by someone. How could she stoop so low?"
All the while, her eyes stayed on Walker, eager to gauge his reaction.
Walker put his arm around her indifferently. "Alexia, Skye and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. Aren't you feeling unwell? Let's get you checked."
Satisfied with his response, Alexia finally smiled.
Meanwhile, Skye had expected to feel sadness or anger over Walker and Alexia's appearance, but surprisingly she felt nothing—just a vague sense of disgust and nausea.
Leaving the hospital, she headed straight to the law firm.
Unexpectedly, upon leaving, she ran into Trace Ryan and Damari Jacobs.
They were stepping out of a luxury car, followed by two security guards in black suits.
Trace wore the same black coat from the previous night, his boots adding to his authoritative presence, his handsome face betraying no emotion as he walked toward her.
It was undeniable—the man commanded attention wherever he went.
No wonder he was known as the Grim Reaper of the city!
Skye debated whether to greet him, but Trace walked past her without so much as a glance, heading into the law firm.
His indifference was frosty, as though she were a complete stranger.
Skye's lips turned up in a bittersweet smile.
What was she expecting?
Aside from their one night together, they were indeed strangers.
Before entering the law firm, Damari Jacobs couldn't resist taking another look at Skye.
It was nothing personal, but the girl was remarkably striking.
If the Montgomery family hadn't gone bankrupt, he couldn't imagine any man worthy of such a woman.
But now, with the Montgomerys' fall from grace, she was no longer in the spotlight.
"Trace, what do you think of that girl just now?" Damari caught up with Trace, asking playfully in his ear.
