Chapter 4

Raina's POV

Tears poured from my eyes, immediately dried by the river wind.

The first time with Lucas, he was so careful, his movements gentle and restrained, afraid of hurting me.

The cherishing and love in his eyes almost melted me.

But now, just a few meters away from me, he indulged with another woman, rough and direct.

Just to vent the most primitive desire.

I don't know how long passed before the car window finally rolled down. Bianca leaned lazily against the seat back.

Her face flushed with post-coital satisfaction, she signaled that I could get in the car.

I pulled open the car door. That heavy smell inside the car made my stomach churn with nausea.

"Lucas, what if I get pregnant?" Bianca said.

Lucas started the car.

"Then have the baby. We'll have a daughter as adorable as you."

Have a daughter.

Those words hit like a thunderbolt.

We'd once passionately discussed our future children too.

He said if we had a daughter, she must be like me. He'd spoil her into the happiest little princess in the world.

But he also said that his most beloved would always be me, his big princess.

Those promises that once made my heart sweet with joy now sounded as distant as something from a past life.

Bianca leaned sweetly against his shoulder, cooing.

"Then we'll have to keep trying hard when we get home."

Back at the villa, Lucas and Bianca threw all caution to the wind.

On the living room sofa, in front of the bathroom mirror, on the study carpet-everywhere bore traces of their indulgence.

Those lewd sounds continued day and night, tormenting me like a curse.

And I could only lock myself in my room, repeatedly tortured by the excruciating pain of cancer.

Each time the pain struck, I could only bite down hard on the blanket, spitting out blood tinged with a metallic sweetness.

Inside the door was the silence of approaching death.

Outside the door was unbridled pleasure.

I left my room to get water and saw Bianca wearing an apron, busy in the kitchen.

Lucas sat at the dining table reading the newspaper, the scene absurdly peaceful.

Bianca saw me.

"Eat with us."

Lucas didn't look up.

"Don't be ungrateful."

A table full of charred, unidentifiable objects.

Yet Lucas calmly ate, even indulgently telling Bianca.

"It's delicious."

The first time I cooked for him.

It was just as terrible, but he ate every dish clean.

Then he gently ruffled my hair and said I was the most amazing girl in the world.

I forced myself to take a bite of food. My stomach immediately churned.

A metallic sweetness I could no longer suppress, I rushed to the bathroom and vomited violently into the sink.

The white ceramic was instantly stained with glaring blood.

Bianca followed me in. Seeing this scene, her eyes immediately reddened.

"Raina, what do you mean by this? I worked so hard making that food, and you hate it this much? Are you deliberately putting on a show for Lucas and me?"

Lucas rushed over hearing the commotion. His expression darkened instantly. He quickly stepped forward, pulled Bianca into his arms, and soothed her gently.

"Since you hate eating so much,"

He spoke.

"Then go hungry for a few days and reflect properly."

"Someone, lock her in the basement."