After three years of IVF, I finally got pregnant with my first child.
In the seventh month, I was kidnapped and shut up. They cut my belly open and took away the child who was not yet full term.
The pain made me pass out. When I woke up again, my husband was on his knees in front of my bed, crying. “Corinne, I’m sorry. It’s my fault I didn’t protect you and the baby.”
Seeing my stomach so flat, I sank down and had no choice but to accept what was real.
My husband vowed he would put the kidnappers in prison. After he went out to take a phone call, I spotted an earbud he had left. Just as I was about to return it to him, I softly heard voices from the earbud.
“Brother Jeremy, Corinne Beaumont endured more than three thousand injections and took so many traditional medicines and supplements. Her health was badly drained before she at last became pregnant. And you simply removed the not-yet-term child like that?”
“Simply because Ophelia Rousseau says she wants to test whether a preterm baby can make it? You treat your own child like that? If Corinne hears about this, won’t she create a scene with you?”
——
“Calm down, she has no idea. Don’t talk about this to anyone, or you know the consequences.”
In the hallway, Jeremy warned in a cold, quiet voice.
From the earbud, his friend’s flattering voice spoke, “Got it, got it, don’t worry. Oh, right, you and Ophelia have been secretly together for over two years, and you still don’t plan to divorce Corinne and marry Ophelia?”
He remained quiet for quite some time. I thought he would stay silent. Then he said in a cold, harsh tone, “Ophelia still wants to play for two more years. Once she has enjoyed enough, I will divorce Corinne.”
As he spoke, his look softened. “When that time comes, I will give Ophelia a grander and more lavish wedding.”
My body froze as I forced down my rough breathing from anger.
I heard his brother speak. “Damn, you didn’t even give Corinne a wedding before. So you were keeping it for Ophelia.”
“Corinne doesn’t deserve one.”
Jeremy’s voice was like a devil’s whisper that stayed in my heart.
In our three years of marriage, I had always hoped for a wedding that was mine, but Jeremy said, “Be obedient. Once you have the baby, I will give you a grand wedding.”
Sometimes I pushed back a little. “If I don’t give birth, can’t we still have a wedding?”
Yet he had seemed powerless and sighed softly. “You know my family is very strict. My parents always wish for me to continue the family bloodline. Only after you deliver the child do I feel confident to take you home to meet them.”
I had believed his words. For years, I took many supplements and herbal treatments. My arms had been filled with needle marks. Just when I finally saw a bit of light, reality hit me.
Noticing movement outside, I quickly lay back on the bed and put the earbud back in its place.
Jeremy came in after pushing the door open, his face wearing his usual gentle look. He stepped forward and adjusted the blanket for me, speaking softly. “Corinne, I have a big project to cooperate with tonight. Be good. I will come back to see you tomorrow.”
I grasped the blanket corner, and a small bit of hope crossed my heart.
Jeremy treated me kindly. Perhaps what I heard earlier was only a misunderstanding?
As soon as the ward door closed, my phone buzzed.
When I opened it, I found it was a friend request from Ophelia.
After hesitating many times, I finally tapped accept.
The next second, she sent several photos one by one, fingers intertwined, kissing beside the sea, and even private mirror selfies of them bathing together…
Soon after, her almost-showing-off message came: [See clearly? What you dream about is something I can easily have. Know where you stand. As long as I wish, that position can belong to me anytime.]
[Oh, right. Did he say he has a big project tonight? It’s not a big project. He’s coming to go a few hundred rounds with me!]
[I’ve bought umbrellas of every kind already. I’ll let you see them.]
A picture of a white sheet filled with different umbrellas came into view.
My entire body froze, as if I had fallen into cold water.
Everything earlier was true!
Jeremy really paid people to kidnap me and forcefully take out my child for his childhood sweetheart, and I was just part of their flirting!
After I came back to my senses, I shakily opened my contacts and dialed a long-saved number.
“Magnus, I lost our bet. I’m ready to leave with you and won’t come back to South Briar anymore.”
The other end sounded a bit excited but still controlled. “You’ve been wronged. Do you want me to help you get revenge?”
I paused in shock for a second, then replied, “No. I’ll handle it myself. Revenge should be done by my own hands. Come fetch me in a week.”
