Chapter 4

The bumpy ride made my stomach hurt.

"She doesn't know her place. Mrs. Byres came personally to fetch her, and she still put on a show," a maid in the front seat complained.

Another maid chimed in, "Once she's in the estate, she'll have to serve Mrs. Byres. Once the baby is born, she'll be kicked out anyway."

"She's ambitious, though. Claiming she doesn't want to be a mistress? She's probably dreaming of Frank divorcing his wife for her."

"Please! She's just a temporary toy for Mr. Byres."

Hearing their twisted words, my chest tightened, and I could barely breathe.

I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall.

I don't know how long passed before the SUV stopped. I was dragged out and pushed into the grand lobby of the massive Byres estate.

When I looked up, I saw another familiar face.

Frank's sister.

She was here too.

Everything became crystal clear.

Louise Byres stared at me, frozen in shock.

Just last week, she had visited my small apartment, bringing a pile of baby toys.

She had patiently explained all the pregnancy do's and don'ts, saying Frank had asked her to look after me.

Back then, Frank told me he was worried because it was my first pregnancy, so he asked his "married friend Louise" to help.

Now, all that kindness turned into a knife stabbing my chest.

Louise finally snapped out of it. She pulled Nyla aside and whispered angrily:

"Why did you bring her here?"

"If she stays outside, her baby is just an illegitimate bastard. You have two kids; she's no threat to you."

"If Frank finds out, he'll be furious! Send her back!"

She was planning for Nyla's sake.

I clenched my fists, hoping she would convince Nyla to let me go.

"You misunderstand, Louise," Nyla said smoothly. "No matter what, she's carrying Frank's blood. He belongs in this house."

"If Frank really loves this baby, I can just adopt it and raise it as my own."

Nyla's words silenced Louise instantly.

Louise could only turn to the guards and say weakly, "Audrey is pregnant. Tell them to be gentle with her."

How hilarious. Just like Beasley, she only cared about the baby, but she wouldn't actually help me.

One was his sister, the other his best friend. They had both played me like a fool.

I shook with anger. I wanted to rip their hypocritical faces off.

Nyla squeezed my chin, her voice cold. "Hear that? I'm doing you a favor."

"Now, let's go greet Mother."

She ordered the guards to drag me into the main parlor.

Frank had lied to me so deeply. He probably wouldn't save me anyway.

Or maybe, this was his plan all along.

He knew I would never agree to be a mistress, so he let Nyla do the dirty work to force me into submission.

Once I gave up, he would show up, play the loving husband, and beg for my forgiveness.

The thought made me lose my mind. I struggled wildly.

I bit Nyla's hand, slammed my head into a guard's chest, and kicked randomly.

"Stop this! What is this chaos?!"

A stern, commanding voice rang out, instantly silencing Nyla and Louise.

"Mother," Nyla murmured.

A tiny spark of hope flared in my chest. I fell to my knees before the older woman.

"Please help me! They kidnapped me!"