He locked me up.
He also took my phone, cutting off all contact with the outside world.
This magnificent villa had become a complete prison for me.
At night, I lay in bed, my stomach aching with agony.
Cold sweat soaked the sheets, but I couldn't make a sound.
There was no medicine, no water, only endless pain and despair.
I wanted to call for help, but who could I turn to?
No one in this world cared whether I lived or died anymore.
The next day, Ethan's mother came.
She looked at my pale and haggard appearance, her eyes devoid of pity, only disgust.
"Natalie, you disappoint me so much."
"You made such a scene at the annual meeting, you've disgraced Cole Family."
"The most important thing for a woman is to be sensible and tolerant."
"If you can't even do that, you don't deserve to be the Cole Family's daughter-in-law."
I listened quietly, without arguing.
Because I knew nothing I said would matter. In her heart, I would always be the outsider who couldn't even be on the stage and Amber was her ideal daughter-in-law.
Sure enough, she took out a document from her bag before me.
It was a pregnancy test report.
The name on it was Amber.
"Amber is pregnant with Ethan's child."
"We can't let our flesh and blood be left alone."
My mind went blank and there was a buzzing sound.
Pregnant?
Amber is pregnant.
I couldn't help but laugh and tears began to flow as I laughed.
"So, you're here to ask me to give up my position?"
She didn't answer, but instead pulled out another document.
A divorce agreement.
The property division section said I was leaving the house empty-handed.
"Sign it."
"If you're willing to leave, I can give you enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life."
I looked at the agreement, at Ethan's signature and my heart sank.
I picked up the pen, trembling violently and signed the two characters, "Natalie Sanders," stroke by stroke.
Ethan's mother, satisfied, put the agreement away and locked the door.
I could no longer hold on. My vision went black and I lost consciousness altogether.
I didn't know how long I had been unconscious.
When I woke again, I lay on the cold ground, exhausted.
I wasn't dead yet.
My survival instinct forced me to struggle and I found the spare key hidden in the closet.
I had escaped that prison.
I used the little cash I had left to buy a plane ticket to Brooklyn.
I went to a euthanasia agency.
After arranging everything, I felt an unprecedented sense of peace and relief.
Finally, it was all over.
Not knowing where to go, I wandered aimlessly down the street.
The sky gradually darkened and my body reached its limit.
Finally, I collapsed in a deserted alley.
Meanwhile, Ethan was celebrating Amber on the other side of the world.
He'd booked the city's finest restaurant to celebrate the birth of his child.
Amber leaned into his arms, smiling sweetly and happily.
"Ethan, tell me, will our baby look like you or me?"
Ethan kissed her forehead, his tone doting.
"Like you."
Just then, his phone, which had been placed on the table, suddenly rang.
It was an unfamiliar international number.
He answered it impatiently, "Who is this?"
A steady male voice came from the other end. "Is this Mr. Ethan? I have received a final confirmation of euthanasia application from your wife, Ms. Natalie."
"Before proceeding with the final step, according to procedure, I need to conduct a final confirmation with the immediate family."
Ethan's expression changed instantly.
"What application?"
