Chapter 2

I heard every word clearly, yet it was as if I understood nothing.

"Cannot stay?"

I tore off my veil and looked at him.

This face had been pressed against my ear just two nights ago.

His warm breath on my neck, promising we'd weather all storms together, that he'd never let me down.

That was only a day ago.

"Ethan." I called his name, my voice dry and unfamiliar.

He didn't respond, but Vivian laughed, her voice sharp like nails scraping glass.

"Why play dumb, Serena? Wasn't Ethan clear enough?"

Her gaze fell on my abdomen with mockery.

"Who knows which kidnapper's bastard that is?"

Pain twisted through my chest, hatred surging, but before I could speak, my father's vicious slap struck my face.

The entire hall fell deathly silent.

"Disgraceful creature! I raised you for twenty-six years, and this is how you repay me?"

My ears rang as my stepmother Michelle pretended to intervene.

"Honey, it's my fault for not teaching Serena properly..."

"But if word of this gets out, where will you put your face? How can you hold your head up in front of Ethan?"

Then Ethan sighed softly.

That sigh was full of exhaustion and disappointment.

"I was drunk that night." He looked at me with complicated eyes.

"When I woke up, you were lying next to me... I always thought I'd lost control while drunk and ruined your innocence."

"I thought what was done was done, so I should take responsibility."

He smiled bitterly.

"Only now do I realize it was all calculated by you."

I froze, my throat blocked by something.

Calculated?

He was so drunk when he barged into my room.

I pushed him, begged him, and he covered my mouth, saying "Don't be afraid, Serena, I'll marry you."

I believed him.

I'd followed him since college, watching him pitch projects.

Watching him close his first million-dollar deal with such high spirits.

I thought what he said was real.

"Ethan." Ignoring the pain in my abdomen, I stepped forward.

"Say that again. That night---I calculated it?"

He didn't answer, just turned his face away.

I stared at his profile, my heart feeling like it was being gripped and twisted inch by inch.

Vivian spoke again, her voice even louder.

"Why bother, Serena? Only you two know what happened that night."

"Ethan is kindhearted and was deceived by you for so long. Now that he won't expose you, are you going to force him to spell out your shame?"

The guests murmured. Some laughed, some shook their heads, others whispered.

"Pregnant before marriage---clearly a character problem."

"The Mitchell family's reputation is ruined. How can they do business with Hayes Corporation now?"

"Guards." Ethan suddenly spoke.

Two security men in black suits stepped forward.

My heart tightened. I stepped back.

"Ethan, what are you doing?"

He still wouldn't look at me, just waved his hand.

In an instant, I was pinned down.

I desperately clawed at the carpet, my nails splitting, but couldn't break free.

Vivian approached with a glass of red wine laced with drugs, smiling as she leaned to my ear.

"Serena, drink it. Once you drink it, you'll be clean."

"Get away!"

I struggled desperately but was held tighter.

The guard gripped my jaw, fingers digging into my cheeks, forcing my mouth open.

Liquid poured in, choking me breathless.

Then I felt warmth flowing from deep in my abdomen, running down my legs.

That was my baby.

The baby I'd desperately protected even when kidnapped.

The guards released me. I collapsed on the cold tile floor.

All the red decorations in the hall became blurry shadows.

I heard Ethan's voice, distant, as if through a layer of mist.

"Take her to her room..."

Darkness rushed in from all sides. Before consciousness faded, I had only one thought.

I'm done.

Done with the man who swore he'd never let me down.

Done with the CEO position I'd saved for him---he could forget about keeping it too.