Chapter 3

I ran back home.

I locked myself in the bathroom, washing my body over and over again.

I turned the hot water to the maximum, burning my skin bright red.

But I couldn't feel the pain.

The sheer humiliation of being violated was etched into my bones. No matter how hard I scrubbed, I couldn't wash it away.

I loathed myself.

I don't know how much time passed before someone knocked on the door.

Austin was back.

His voice came through the door, flat and emotionless.

"Where did you go?"

"Did you get the pregnancy report?"

I didn't answer. I shut off the shower.

When I walked out, he was standing right at the door.

He reached out, wanting to touch my stomach.

I flinched as if I’d been stung and threw myself backward.

His hand froze in midair, and his eyes instantly grew cold.

But quickly, he returned to his usual calm, indifferent self.

"Stop throwing tantrums."

"Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the best private clinic for a full checkup."

His tone was patronizing, like he was soothing a petulant dog.

Staring at his hypocritical face, I found it incredibly funny.

I asked him coldly, "Austin, do you really want a baby?"

He froze for a second.

Then, a gentle smile appeared on his face—a smile I had never seen before.

"Of course."

"Our baby will be brilliant."

Watching him act made my stomach churn.

His gentleness was never meant for me.

It was for that sick, twisted bet he made with Evelyn and those investors.

He didn't care about the baby.

He only cared about the outcome of the bet. He wanted to see what color the baby would be.

I let out a cold laugh in my head and didn't say another word.

The next day, he took me to the most expensive private clinic in the city.

In the VIP waiting room, I saw the last people I wanted to see.

Evelyn and those two foreign investors were already waiting there.

They looked like they were the baby's actual family.

And I was just a surrogate container holding their prize.

Seeing me, Evelyn immediately walked over and grabbed my arm affectionately.

"Chloe, you're finally here. Austin was so worried about you, he insisted we all come to keep you company."

The two investors stood up as well.

Without any shame, they stared at my belly with slimy, calculating eyes, assessing me over and over.

They were looking at me like a lottery ticket about to be drawn.

Feeling utterly disgusted, I shook off Evelyn's hand.

She didn't get angry. She just covered her mouth and giggled, her eyes filled with triumph.

Soon, the nurse called my name.

After a series of tests, the doctor held the report and smiled at us.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling. Mrs. Sterling is indeed pregnant, and the fetus is very healthy."

The moment those words left his mouth, I clearly saw a greedy, excited light flash in the eyes of the two investors.

They exchanged a look, silently celebrating.

My heart sank into a bottomless abyss.

For me, this was the beginning of a nightmare.

For them, the game had officially begun.

I sat in the chair, my entire body frozen cold.

Despair washed over me like a tidal wave, drowning me completely.