"Jacqueline just thought it was a shame to throw them away. If you didn't want to give them to her, fine, but did you really have to hit her?"
Scott’s voice cut through the ringing in my ears, sharp and accusing. My cheek still burned from the slap, but his words stung worse.
A cold laugh slipped from my lips. "Scott, you think I'm cruel? I'm nothing compared to you."
His expression stiffened, a flicker of unease crossing his face. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Don’t change the subject. Apologize to Jacqueline."
Before I could respond, Jacqueline sniffled dramatically, wiping at her eyes. "Forget it, Scott. Abigail didn’t mean it. I’m just a little hungry… could you make me something to eat?"
Just like that, his anger softened. Without another glance in my direction, he took her hand and walked away.
And just like that, the last piece of me broke.
I forced myself into my wheelchair, my hands trembling slightly, but I kept my face blank. No more tears. Not when tomorrow would change everything.
Scott, I hope you like the gift I have for you.
The next morning, Scott left early for battle. Jacqueline, however, found her way into my bedroom. She stepped inside, her lips curling into a smirk as she tugged down the collar of her silk nightgown.
Dark, unmistakable marks covered her skin.
"Abigail," she purred, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "You really are pathetic. Four years and you still couldn't hold onto your man. If Scott hadn’t told me last night, I never would’ve known, he’s always loved me. You? You were just there for convenience."
Her gaze flickered down to my belly, her expression darkening with jealousy. "But don’t worry. Once your baby is born, I’ll make sure it never gets the chance to take a breath. Do you really think I’d let you leave behind something that ties you to Scott? And once you lose your ability to have children, I’ll take your place for good."
I met her gaze, my expression unreadable. "Alright."
She hesitated, caught off guard by my lack of reaction. But before she could say another word, I glanced at the time and ended the recording.
A second later, the door burst open. A sharp pain shot through my skull and the world went black. When I woke up, my hands were bound, and a rough sack covered my head.
Jacqueline's panicked voice trembled beside me. "Let me go! If you hurt me, Scott will make you pay!"
I glanced at the time. Almost there. Right on cue, the door burst open. Scott and his men charged in.
A pair of rough hands yanked me up, and Yosef smirked. "Mr. Foster, you got here fast. The moment you heard it was Jacqueline, you didn’t even put up a fight."
Scott’s voice was sharp. "Let her go. I’ll concede today’s battle."
Yosef chuckled. "Oh, Scott, this isn't about winning or losing." He tilted his head, amused. "You're just in time for a little test."
His gaze flicked between us. "On one side, your frightened little lover. On the other… just your loyal mercenary. So tell me, who do you pick?"
Scott didn’t even think about it. "Jacqueline. No matter what."
Yosef let out a dramatic sigh and pulled out his pistol. "Then do it yourself. Kill the mercenary, and I’ll let her go."
Through the tiny gap in the sack covering my head, I saw Scott raise his gun. His voice was steady, almost indifferent. "As a soldier, you had to know this was coming. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure your family is taken care of."
A hollow laugh caught in my throat. If he had just looked a little closer, he would have noticed. My legs were unsteady. My belly had started to round.
But he didn’t.
The gunshot rang out. Pain tore through my chest, hot and unbearable. Blood spread fast, soaking through my clothes.
Then, I felt something else. A deeper kind of pain. Something breaking. Something ending.
Before my eyes fully closed, I saw Scott rushing forward, catching Jacqueline in his arms. "Someone call a doctor! Jacqueline, are you hurt? I'm so sorry, I should've been here sooner."
Scooping her up, he bolted for the door. Just before disappearing, he shot a glance at the body on the ground.
"Take care of it," he told a soldier, then left without a second thought.
At the hospital, after the doctor confirmed Jacqueline was fine, Scott finally let out a breath. But something still felt off.
His gut told him something was wrong. Pulling out his phone, he was about to call home when a soldier came sprinting toward him, his face pale.
"Sir… it's bad. That body we just brought in, it's your wife."
