I had planned to tell Elric everything at our engagement party—to surprise him with the news and finally prove my innocence.
Unfortunately, he crushed my voice before I ever had the chance.
Roselyn knelt in front of me, hands cradling her belly, her expression the picture of false sincerity.
"Eloise, I don’t want a wedding. Hit me, yell at me, do whatever you want—but the baby is innocent…"
Elric’s face was cold and unreadable. Without a word, he slapped me.
"Think it over in here. Don’t come out until you’ve figured yourself out."
As he turned to shut the basement door, I tore off my blood-soaked skirt and clung to the frame with both hands.
Please… take me to the hospital. Save our baby. He doesn’t deserve to die—especially not at the hands of his own father.
Blood filled my throat as I strained to speak, but my voice failed me. Not even a sound escaped.
In the corner of the room, out of everyone’s sight, Roselyn took out a small blade and made a shallow cut along the inside of her thigh.
Then, crawling toward me, she smashed her forehead dramatically against the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Eloise, stop acting. Please, just let my baby live… I’m barely a month along!"
When Elric saw the blood trailing down her leg, his eyes darkened with disgust, as if disgusted by what he believed was my performance.
Without another word, he shoved me aside, turned the lock, pocketed the key and walked away, carrying Roselyn gently in his arms like she was made of glass.
Rain poured in through the open skylight. My lower abdomen throbbed in unbearable pain as I curled into a corner. Slowly, my consciousness began to slip away.
At the hospital.
Roselyn lay in bed with a soft blush in her cheeks, basking in comfort.
Her adoptive mother arrived with a steaming bowl of porridge and Elric sat beside the bed, gently blowing on it to cool it before offering it to her.
Suddenly, the door slammed open. Elowen—the CEO of the Morven Group—strode in, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Elric rose to greet her, smiling politely. "Mom, what brings you here?"
However, she slapped him hard across the face. Her voice was sharp and icy.
"Don’t you dare call me Mom. What the hell have you done to my daughter?"
He blinked in confusion, looking over at Roselyn. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, his assistant burst through the door, breathless and pale.
"Mr. Solvain! Miss Thessaly was just found drowned in the basement of your home!
