Chapter 5

I stared at the document in a daze, then looked at Ethan, who quickly averted his eyes.

Mia stepped in front of Iris, glaring at me. "Chloe, get it through your head! You are the psycho stalker trying to ruin their marriage!"

My mom then stepped forward, holding a printed sheet of paper, and addressed the reporters.

"I am so sorry, everyone. My daughter has been diagnosed with severe prenatal psychosis. She's been obsessed with Ethan, going as far as drugging him to get pregnant. She has caused so much pain to Iris and Ethan. As her mother, I deeply apologize on her behalf."

I looked at my mother, completely shattered. Tears poured down my face.

"Mom? Are you crazy? She's the one who—"

Before I could finish, Ethan arrived with a team of security guards and private doctors.

They took the falsified psychiatric evaluation from my mother's hands. Before I could even scream, a sharp needle pierced my neck.

As darkness pulled me under, the last thing I saw was Ethan and Iris holding hands, walking away without throwing a single glance back at me.

They confiscated my phone. I was locked in a tiny, windowless room in a private clinic for an entire month.

I fought, I screamed, I even tried to climb out of a window and nearly broke my leg, but I couldn't escape.

When I was eight months pregnant, Ethan finally showed up.

He brought my favorite apple pie and gently tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this, Chloe. We just couldn't let you run wild and hurt Iris."

"The marriage certificate was just a legal formality to secure the baby's trust fund. Once you give birth, I'll divorce her."

"But first, you need to sign this confession admitting you were the stalker, and kneel to apologize to Iris. Only then will we let you out."

I knelt on the cold floor, my heavy stomach making the posture agonizing, and muttered the words they wanted to hear.

"I'm sorry. I was the mistress. I will never bother you again."

"Are you satisfied now?"

Ethan's face turned incredibly pale. He clenched his fists, swallowed hard, and finally sighed, taking me back to our apartment.

The moment we got back, I packed my bags as fast as I could. I had to leave.

But just as I walked out of the bedroom, the front door burst open.

Iris came in, sobbing hysterically, and threw herself at my feet.

"Chloe, please! Give me back my baby!"

"I was planning Rosalie's one-month welcome party, and the moment you got back, she disappeared! If you hate me, take it out on me, but please don't hurt my daughter!"

Ethan rushed in behind her. He slammed me against the wall, his hand wrapping tightly around my neck.

"Rosalie is only a month old! Have you completely lost your mind?!"

The air was cut off from my lungs. I struggled to squeeze out the words:

"I... didn't... take her."

"I'm about to be a mother... why would I... hurt a baby..."

"Ethan, if anything happens to Rosalie, I'm going to kill myself!" Iris screamed, making a move to slam her head against the wall, but my parents quickly grabbed her.

"Why are you wasting your breath with her? Just make her talk!" Mia barked, rushing into the room.

She ripped open my bedside drawer, pulled out a sewing kit, and pulled out a long, thick needle, pointing it at my fingernails.

"I swear, I don't have the baby!" I shrieked, shaking my head in terror, looking at Ethan for help.

But Ethan just looked away, giving Mia a silent nod.

They knew how much I valued my hands—my hands that were supposed to perform surgeries. They knew exactly how to break me.

But how could I tell them where the baby was when I didn't know?!

"Chloe, you brought this on yourself!" Mia hissed.

The silver needle was driven straight under my fingernail.

An agonizing, white-hot pain shot up my arm. My entire face contorted in a spasm. I screamed so hard my voice gave out, and tears poured down my face.

Just as Mia raised a second needle, Ethan's phone rang. It was the police.

"Sir, we've found the baby. Please come down to the station immediately."

Ethan's face lit up with joy. He threw me aside. The entire group rushed out of the room, slamming the door.

I fell heavily onto the hardwood floor.

Suddenly, a warm, wet sensation spread between my thighs. I looked down.

A pool of dark, crimson blood was expanding beneath me.

"My baby..."

I dragged my body toward the door, but it was locked from the outside.

A violent contraction ripped through my abdomen. I stared blankly at the blood pooling around me, my heart dying with every drop.

I reached for the apple pie box on the table, found the small plastic knife, and pressed it hard against my wrist.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a loud crash.

A tall figure rushed through the dust. Julian ran in, his face pale with terror. He threw himself onto the floor, pulling me into his arms, his voice shaking violently:

"Chloe! Oh my God, Chloe... I'm so sorry I'm late..."