Kendrick arrived quickly, his usual carefree charm replaced entirely by deep worry for me.
Half carrying, half supporting me, he took me to the private hospital run by his family—a name that carried weight in the medical world.
“Don’t be afraid,” Kendrick murmured, his hand warm around my icy one. “I’ve already brought in the best divorce lawyers in the country. The property division is underway and in just a few more days everything will be settled.”
“When you’re free, do you want to watch the snow in Switzerland? See the Northern Lights in Scandinavia? Or live in a quiet seaside town? As long as you say yes, I’ll go anywhere with you.”
I didn’t speak. Tears filled my eyes as I squeezed his hand back with all my strength. Kendrick always appeared to protect me at the exact moment I needed him most.
At the hospital, after a series of detailed examinations, the head of obstetrics came in holding the report.
“Miss Grande, we found a rare alkaloid in your blood. This substance is usually inhaled through the respiratory tract. Long-term or high-concentration exposure can cause nervous system fatigue, palpitations, emotional instability and greatly increase the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women.”
The doctor’s words sent my mind completely blank.
A rare alkaloid in my blood, a substance usually inhaled through the lungs.
It had to be that guest room, with its relentless, unnaturally strong odor.
Sam had deliberately made me stay in that room, insisting I “absolutely rest in bed” and forbidding me from leaving. He hadn’t even been willing to bring me to the hospital when I fainted.
Everything finally made sense.
This was a deliberate, cruel attempt to end the life of the child I carried.
I couldn’t stop trembling.
“Tania,” Kendrick suddenly crouched down and held my shaking shoulders tightly. His eyes were stormy with fury. “He was behind that strange scent in the guest room, right? It’s okay. Now that we know, it’s over. I won’t let him lay a finger on you again.”
I leaned into Kendrick, tears flowing uncontrollably. How much had this marriage already taken from me?
After crying, my mind cleared even more. I knew it still wasn’t the right time.
The property division agreement hadn’t been finalized. I had to endure. For the child and to safely leave with everything I deserved, I had to see this act through to the end.
When we returned to the villa, Sam and Raline were already there.
“Tania, get ready and accompany Raline to the maternity store. She just found out she’s pregnant and there’s a lot we need to prepare.”
This time, I didn’t resist. I lowered my eyes and murmured a quiet acknowledgment.
The maternity store was filled with a warm, charming atmosphere, with all kinds of delicate baby products. Yet at that moment, it only felt mocking and suffocating to me.
Sam’s attention never left Raline.
“Raline, isn’t this little outfit cute?”
“This baby bottle is imported—the safest material.”
“The crib must be solid wood; it’s better for the child’s health.”
He carried himself with a clumsy, inexperienced joy I had never seen before, carefully asking the store clerk about every detail and buying anything Raline glanced at twice.
Raline laughed coquettishly the entire time, leaning against him and sneaking triumphant glances at me.
The clerks immediately recognized Sam. They noticed the careful attention he gave Raline, then glanced at me trailing behind, who was pale, silent and unreadable. Their expressions shifted, tinged with something subtle, almost judgmental.
“So that’s Mr. Freight and his new favorite? Hmph, they really do look alike.”
“I heard she’s pregnant too? The treatment she gets is completely different.”
I gritted my teeth, keeping my face obedient and calm.
Just a little longer.
Once the agreement was signed and the divorce finalized, I took my child and left, soaring free and unburdened
