Vienna had barely begun to kneel when Darien yanked her up and started smoothing out the wrinkles on her dress.
"Vienna, you’re being too soft. You’re the one who should be angry. Elodie is the one who wronged you—she should be the one kneeling and begging for forgiveness!"
Then he turned to me, still lying on the cold floor, his eyes filled with disdain.
"Elodie, how many times are you going to hurt Vienna today? When will you finally stop causing trouble for her?"
Compared to the ache in my body, the pain in my heart felt far worse.
Just then, a voice called out from the door. "You there—where’s the other woman? It’s time for her procedure."
I opened my mouth to respond, but my throat was dry and raw. No sound came out—nothing louder than a whisper could escape.
I looked toward Darien again. He didn’t glance at me. Instead, he turned toward Vienna and gently supported her.
"Doctor, perfect timing. She just fell. I’m not sure if she’s injured. Could you please check her again?"
Vienna blushed, looking embarrassed. "It’s really nothing that serious…"
Darien reached out and gently pinched her cheek. "Still, I worry."
And just like that, the two of them walked away with the doctor.
Because I had collapsed behind one of the beds, the doctor couldn’t see me. Unless someone deliberately looked, no one would even know I was lying there.
I stared up at the cold ceiling, the sensation in my lower body growing more and more unbearable. Wet. Sticky.
I knew what it meant. The baby I was carrying… was leaving me.
And I could only feel it happen in the most painful and clear way. A wave of helplessness washed over me, suffocating in its weight.
The world around me dimmed. Empty.
"Elodie? Elodie…"
Someone was calling my name. Light broke through the darkness. "My baby girl, thank God you’re awake."
I turned toward the voice—it was my mother. Her eyes were red with worry.
"What happened to you?" she cried. "Do you know you were in a coma for two days? You scared me half to death."
I reached for my belly, tears spilling silently down my cheeks.
She picked up my phone and turned on the screen. "Your husband kept calling while you were unconscious…"
"Mom," I said, "don’t call him my husband. We divorced a long time ago. He… he cheated on me."
"What?" Her face paled. "Darien… Darien cheated on you? How could that be…"
So I told her everything. After all, she was the only person I could truly trust now.
***
The next day, even though my body was still weak, I went to the Daelan Family home with my mother by my side.
I wanted to resign in person. Some things were better said face to face.
The front door was open, so we walked right in. The ground floor was empty. At the entrance, I saw three pairs of shoes, so they must all be upstairs.
Sure enough, voices echoed from the study on the second floor.
I had just raised my hand to knock when the sound of shattering glass rang through the house, followed by Darien’s voice.
"Vienna, how could I possibly have feelings for her? I faked bankruptcy. I tricked her into a fake divorce. And when you said you wanted to destroy the Dawson Family, how many confidential documents did I steal for you without hesitation?"
A chill swept over me. My hands turned cold.
"After that, the Dawson Family went bankrupt, Mr. Dawson died coughing up blood and his son collapsed from a heart attack on his way to pay off the debts. Vienna, I gave you everything—and now you’re questioning my loyalty?"
Then another voice chimed in—one I recognized.
"He's right, sis. I’m honestly touched by his devotion to you. As for that Elodie... she should count herself lucky if anyone from the Dawson Family is even allowed to live."
It was Austin, Vienna’s fiercely loyal younger brother.
