“That’s right, Mrs. Thorne! Mr. Thorne’s kindness to you is well–known in the elite circles.”
“He doesn’t mind you can’t have children. Can’t you even let him adopt a few?”
Everyone started to accuse me.
Declan, without asking a single question, had already decided I was trying to harm the children.
The guests‘ words only fueled the fire.
“Someone, lock this vicious woman in a room! Let her out after the banquet!”
I cried out in disbelief.
“No! It wasn’t me!”
He ignored me. I was locked in that hotel room for three days.
No phone, no one brought me food. I was dizzy and lightheaded from hunger every day.
I kept pounding on the door until my palms were raw and bleeding.
Declan had completely forgotten about me.
He only remembered when he came back to settle the hotel bill.
When he saw me, my hair was disheveled, and I was pale and gaunt.
I felt a warm liquid trickle down my legs.
Gathering my last ounce of strength, I rasped out,
8:44 AM
C
Gathering my last ounce of strength, I rasped out,
“Declan, save… save our baby!”
I collapsed before him.
Not long after, I was jolted awake by a splash of icy water.
“Aria, why do you keep lying about having a baby?”
“I told you, I’ll still treat you well after adopting the children!”
Seraphina stood nearby, her eyes gleaming with unconcealed triumph.
“Mrs. Thorne, lying will teach the children bad habits.”
“I heard you’re terrified of water. We should soak you in the bathtub to teach you a good lesson, to set an example for the kids.”
After that drowning incident all those years ago, I never went swimming again. Even showering, I had to do it quickly.
Declan knew about my fear of water, yet he stood by, watching me with cold indifference.
My hands were tied and hoisted up.
Seraphina operated a mechanical arm, dipping me into the water, then pulling me out, then plunging me in again.
“No! Please, no!”
“My baby!”
“Mrs. Thorne, you’re clearly on your period. And you’re still lying about being pregnant.”
Hmph! Give her a lesson she won’t forget, so she won’t dare to lie again.”
The air in my lungs grew thinner and thinner. My lower abdomen ached, as if hammered.
But nothing, nothing compared to the agony in my heart,
I felt my child slipping away from me, little by little.
In the depths of despair on the verge of death, I lost consciousness.
