Chapter 2

"Elena!"

My brother, Christian Sterling, roared as he rushed toward me.

On his way, he had already ripped off his custom designer suit jacket and threw it over my body.

He pulled me into a tight embrace with one arm, while his other hand desperately pressed down on my bleeding abdomen.

His familiar warmth brought me instant comfort.

"Christian is here. Don't be afraid."

His voice was gentle and warm to me, but when he turned to Hailey, it turned bone-chillingly cold.

"You did this to my sister?"

Hailey didn't panic at all. She scoffed at Christian, completely unfazed.

"Oh, look how worried you are. Don't tell me that bastard in her belly is yours?"

"Yeah, I taught her a lesson. What of it? I'll handle you, her little lover, too!"

As soon as Hailey finished, her bodyguards closed in.

With a single look from Christian, his bodyguards charged, taking down Hailey's men in seconds.

But then, I saw more bodyguards flooding in from the hallway.

My heart sank.

"Christian, why did you only bring a few men?" I asked worriedly.

"It happened too fast, and I was nearby, so I grabbed whoever was closest. Don't worry, Dad is already on his way."

He comforted me patiently.

"I want to see who dares to touch my sister while I'm standing here!"

My mind eased a bit.

But I noticed Hailey gritting her teeth as she looked at her downed guards. She dialed a number.

Her voice turned sickeningly sweet instantly. "Honey, someone is bullying me! Are you going to help me or what?"

"Of course I am!"

Ethan's voice, both familiar and strange, came through the speakerphone Hailey had intentionally turned on.

Familiar because it was indeed Ethan.

Strange because I had never heard him use such a tender, doting tone before.

A flash of bitterness crossed my mind, cutting away another piece of my grief over my dead baby.

Hailey glared at Christian and me triumphantly, continuing to whine, "Some guy named Christian Sterling beat up my bodyguards and said he's going to kill me!"

"I'm so scared. Come quickly, okay?"

"Ch... Christian Sterling?"

Ethan's voice suddenly squeaked, as if someone had him by the throat.

"Which Christian Sterling?! What the fuck did you do?!"

The frantic questions made Hailey's face pale slightly. She quickly turned off the speakerphone.

But Ethan's near-screaming voice could still be heard.

"Stay where you are! Do nothing! Do you hear me? Nothing! I'm coming right now!"

Hailey mumbled her location and hung up quickly.

She took a deep breath, and her arrogant look returned.

"You guys are dead! My husband is on his way!"

"He said if we beat you to death, we'll just pay some money. Who the hell is Christian Sterling anyway? Never heard of him!"

With a wave of her hand, her guards swarmed us.

Even though Christian's men were highly trained, they were outnumbered. One by one, they fell.

A dozen large men slowly surrounded Christian and me.

He stood up, shielding me firmly behind his back.

After just two rounds of fighting, several cuts appeared on his arms.

Seeing my brother bleed, my eyes turned red.

Struggling, I picked up a discarded knife from the floor, stumbled to my feet, and lunged at the cheering Hailey.

*Stab—*

The blade went straight into Hailey's abdomen.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. She slowly turned her head and met my bloodshot eyes.

A shrill scream echoed through the room.