My moment of defiance earned me an immediate eviction.

Samuel barely glanced at my bleeding knee as he shoved me toward the door.


"Still playing the entitled princess, aren't you? Even with your parents rotting and your company in ruins. Go cool that attitude in the rain."

The door slammed behind me for the second time that night.

This time, they left the lights on.


Through the window, I could see their silhouettes merging. He wanted me to witness his betrayal—a final twist of the knife.

Months ago, this scene would have shattered me. Now I felt nothing but revulsion.


The security guard jogged over, umbrella extended, shaking his head in sympathy.

"Let me call you a car, Mrs. Hayes. You shouldn't be out in this weather."

My knee was still bleeding freely—it would need stitches.

Samuel might not value my life, but I wasn't ready to give up on myself.

"Please," I whispered, "I need to get to a hospital."

After running several tests, the nurse returned with an unexpected smile.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Hayes. You're pregnant."

The words hit me like a physical blow.

After years of emotional torture, I was days away from freedom.

And now this—a child. The worst possible timing.

"Should I call someone for you? Your husband, perhaps?" the nurse asked gently.

I clutched my dead phone, laughing bitterly inside.

"I'll handle it myself, thank you."

My call history showed the truth—Samuel hadn't called me in over six months.

I'd blocked his messages months ago after particularly vicious texts.

I had no direct line to my own husband. With bitter resignation, I dialed Rachel's number.

"Is Samuel with you?" I asked without preamble.

Silence, then mocking laughter. "Well, well. The wife calling the mistress to find her husband."

"Pathetic. Can't even keep track of your own husband."

Her confidence came from knowing Samuel would always take her side over mine.

But this wasn't about me anymore. A child deserved to know its father.

I had no other options.

A sharp cramp seized my abdomen, making me gasp.

"Please," I whispered, one hand protectively covering my stomach. "I'm at the hospital. It's important."

"He's in meetings all day," she replied icily.

"If I remember—and that's a big if—I might tell him you called. Eventually."

As the call ended, the nurse returned with a concerned expression. "Mrs. Hayes, your condition is concerning. The combination of exposure, injury, and stress has put your pregnancy at risk. We recommend immediate bed rest."

"Will your husband be joining us soon? There are some care instructions he should hear."

"He's tied up at work," I lied smoothly. "Don't wait for him."

I still had some emergency cash from my inheritance. I borrowed a phone from another patient's family to arrange payment for my hospital stay.

Three days passed. No word from Samuel.

My roommate, an elderly woman recovering from surgery, grew increasingly outraged on my behalf.

"What kind of man abandons his pregnant wife in the hospital?" she demanded. "Even my good-for-nothing ex would have shown his face by now!"

I dug my nails into my palms. Tomorrow marked the end of our three-year contract.

I needed to face Samuel one last time.

While the nurses changed shifts, I slipped out against medical advice and took a taxi back to the villa.

The same security guard blocked my path, looking uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. Mr. Wilson has explicitly forbidden your entry."

The absurdity struck me anew. This was technically my property, purchased with my family's money.

"I'm carrying his child," I said flatly. "He needs to know."

The guard's expression didn't change.

"Ms. Sinclair informed us of your… claim. Mr. Wilson's instructions were very clear—you're not to set foot on the property under any circumstances."

My blood ran cold.

So Rachel had told him after all—and his response was to ban me completely. My hand instinctively moved to protect my belly.

This poor child was already rejected by its father.

But I wouldn't leave without confronting him.

If I couldn't go in, I'd wait until he came out.

Hours later, Samuel's Rolls-Royce finally pulled up to the gate.

Samuel emerged with Rachel tucked under his arm. He froze when he spotted me waiting in the shadows.

"Why are you here?" His voice was ice.

"Our contract ends tomorrow. Desperate enough to fake a pregnancy to keep me? Pathetic."

I stared at him, stunned.

Had Rachel twisted everything?

Rachel smirked, jabbing a finger toward my stomach. "Your little scheme won't work. He's finally free of you tomorrow."

Samuel leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear, words dripping with venom.

"Your parents did more than force me into this marriage. They made sure I could never escape you completely…"

"They had me sterilized!"