Chapter 4

Chloe's POV

I stood in the freezing wind for two agonizing hours.

My body felt completely numb, and then, a sharp, pulling pain shot through my lower abdomen. At first, it was just a dull ache, but quickly, it turned into intense, crushing waves of pain, like a saw tearing me apart from the inside.

I doubled over, cold sweat instantly drenching my back.

"It hurts..." I groaned, biting my lip.

A sudden gush of warm liquid ran down my thighs, soaking my dress.

My water had broken.

"Chloe!"

Sebastian's voice echoed across the lawn. He rushed down the steps and scooped my freezing body into his arms.

I felt like a block of ice, cold sweat dripping from my forehead.

"Go to the hospital! Get the car now!" Sebastian roared at the butler, a hint of panic in his voice that even he didn't seem to notice.

The Maybach sped through the dark streets.

Outside the VIP delivery room, through the glass window, I could see Sebastian pacing back and forth. The air was thick with the sharp smell of disinfectant.

Vanessa had arrived too. She stood to the side, watching Sebastian's anxious pacing with a flicker of jealousy in her eyes.

She walked up, gently taking his hand to comfort him.

It took ten agonizing hours.

As the first morning light broke, a loud, healthy baby cry finally echoed in the room.

The nurse walked out holding a small bundle, a smile on her face. "Congratulations, Mr. Sterling. It's a healthy baby girl. Both mother and child are doing great."

Inside the room, I lay exhausted on the bed, drenched in sweat, barely having the strength to keep my eyes open.

"The baby... let me see my baby..." I whispered weakly to the nurse.

The nurse was about to bring the baby over, but the door suddenly pushed open.

Sebastian walked in, with Vanessa right behind him.

"Give me the baby," Sebastian told the nurse.

The nurse hesitated, glancing at me on the bed, but she ultimately handed the baby to him.

Sebastian took the bundle, turned, and handed it directly to Vanessa.

"Vanessa, this is our daughter," his voice was incredibly soft.

Vanessa took the baby carefully, her face lighting up with absolute joy. "Sebastian, she's beautiful. She looks just like you."

Lying on the bed, watching this scene, my pupils dilated in horror.

"Sebastian..." I squeezed the words out of my throat with the last of my strength. "Give her... back to me..."

Sebastian turned, looking down at me. His eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth.

"Chloe, we already agreed. Vanessa will raise this child."

"No..." Tears finally spilled from my eyes, soaking into my hair. "She's my daughter... I beg you, let me hold her, just once... let me look at her..."

I struggled to sit up, but the IV line in my wrist yanked painfully.

"Vanessa's depression is acting up again. She needs this baby to stabilize her emotions," Sebastian's voice didn't waver. "Since you've given birth, rest well. I will handle your family."

With that, he wrapped his arm around Vanessa, who was cradling my baby, and they walked out of the delivery room.

"Sebastian!" I screamed in pure despair.

But the only response was the heavy slam of the door.

In that moment, I heard the sound of my own heart shattering.

Ten years of love, ten years of humility, ten years of silent endurance. Shattered into dust by the man I loved.

I stared at the blank white ceiling. My tears ran dry, and my eyes became completely hollow, dead.

My heart was dead.