Chapter 5

Chloe's POV

Three days after giving birth.

The VIP room was quiet, save for the rhythmic, cold beeping of the heart monitor.

I leaned against the pillows, my face pale, but my eyes were terrifyingly calm. No crying, no screaming. I was like a hollow shell with its soul sucked dry.

The door clicked open, and Vanessa walked in. She was wearing a gorgeous designer suit and high heels, cradling a pink blanket in her arms.

My eyes fell on the bundle. My fingers twitched, but I quickly forced myself back into a state of numbness.

"Chloe, how are you feeling today?" Vanessa walked to the bedside, looking down at me with a victorious smile.

I didn't say a word. I just stared at her coldly.

Vanessa didn't care. She gently rocked the baby. "Look how good she is. Sebastian named her Lily."

Lily.

I repeated the name in my head, feeling a wave of intense nausea. Sebastian, you really are heartless.

"Do you know? Sebastian held Lily and rocked her all night long," Vanessa leaned down, lowering her voice, her words dripping with venomous pride. "Chloe, so what if you have your family backing you? You're nothing but a surrogate, a tool to hatch my baby. Now that the job is done, you're lower than a dog in the Sterling house."

I listened in silence. Suddenly, a cold, faint smile appeared on my lips.

Underneath the blanket, my hand secretly hit the record button on my phone.

"Are you done?" My voice was raspy, but it carried an eerie, chilling calm. "If you are, get the hell out."

Vanessa was taken aback by my gaze, her anger flaring. "Chloe, what are you so proud of? Believe it or not, with just one word from me, Sebastian can kick you out of this country whenever he wants!"

Just then, the door opened again.

Sebastian strode in, holding a luxurious velvet jewelry box.

Seeing Vanessa there, he frowned slightly. "Vanessa, why are you here? There are too many germs in a hospital. It's not good for the baby."

"I just wanted to check on Chloe," Vanessa instantly wiped the smugness off her face, replacing it with a gentle, caring expression. "Sebastian, Chloe seems depressed. I was worried, so I brought Lily to keep her company."

Sebastian looked at me.

I leaned against the headboard, watching them coldly, as if I were watching a pathetic comedy show.

Sebastian walked to the bedside and placed the velvet box on the nightstand.

"This is a pink diamond necklace I just bought at an auction," Sebastian said, his tone carrying the high-and-mighty air of charity. "Consider it compensation for giving birth to Lily. Recover well, and stop throwing tantrums."

I stared at the box, and suddenly, I laughed.

I reached out, picked up the priceless necklace, and right in front of Sebastian's face, I flipped my wrist.

Thud.

The luxury box fell straight into the trash can next to the bed.

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

Vanessa gasped.

Sebastian's face turned dark. He leaned down over the bed, his hands framing my shoulders, trapping me in his shadow.

"Chloe, do you have any idea what you just did?" he growled, his hot breath fanning across my face, filled with dangerous pressure.

I met his gaze, my eyes completely lifeless.

"Sebastian, take your compensation, take your woman, and get the hell out of my room," my voice was quiet but powerful. "You disgust me."

Sebastian's pupils shrank.

He grabbed my jaw, his grip so tight I thought he was going to shatter my bone.

"What is this? Playing hard to get?" Sebastian sneered. "Chloe, do you think acting like this will get my attention?"

I didn't struggle. I just stared at him as if he were a complete stranger.

"I just find you repulsive," I said coldly.

Sebastian let go of my jaw as if he had been shocked. He stared at me deeply, then turned and stormed out of the room.

"Sebastian!" Vanessa cried, cradling the baby as she chased after him.

The room fell silent once more.

I pulled out my phone and saved the recording. Looking out at the gray sky, a sharp, decisive light flashed in my eyes.