Running Away Pregnant

The nurse nodded, but I could not smile.

I only stared at the clock on the wall, wishing time would move faster.

Just then, Jason told me that Vincent wanted me to personally care for Madison in her hospital room.

When I entered, he did not even look up. "You've always wanted to frame her, haven't you? This time, I'm giving you the chance."

He handed me a fruit knife. "Peel some fruit for her."

I looked at the knife handle and smiled bitterly. Then, I took it and stood there peeling an apple in one long, continuous spiral.

After the peel fell to the floor, Vincent spoke again.

"Feed it to her yourself."

I froze. Madison shrank back with an exaggerated show of fear.

Vincent stroked her head gently.

"Don't worry. I'm here. She won't dare hurt you."

Then, he turned back to look at me coldly. The warmth vanished from his face in an instant. I knew he was warning me and punishing me.

In the past, I would have fallen apart or made a scene. However, I was truly exhausted now.

I picked up a slice of apple and raised my bandaged hand with difficulty, bringing it to her lips.

My throat was painfully dry. "Eat up, Mrs. Hartwell."

Hearing this title, Vincent scoffed.

He thought I was being sarcastic again, but he did not know that I meant it this time.

Let whoever wanted to be Mrs. Hartwell take the title.

That day, Vincent made me change Madison's clothes, wipe her down, feed her meals, and pour her water.

I did everything a servant would do. Even after all of that, he still would not let me go. He made me watch as he gently stroked Madison's belly.

"Baby, when you're born, Daddy will give you the best of everything in the world."

Only when Madison grew tired did he finally let me leave.

Before I left, I handed him a document.

"It's the receipt for the medical bills. You should stay with her. I won't disturb you anymore."

Seeing my empty, lifeless eyes, Vincent thought I had finally learned my lesson. He signed it without hesitation, without even glancing at it.

He did not know it was the divorce agreement I had prepared for so long.

Back in my hospital room, I removed the ring from my finger and set it on the bedside table. Then, I took out a pen and signed my name on the divorce agreement.

As the final stroke fell, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This marriage was finally over.

As I was leaving the hospital, I overheard a conversation between the bodyguards stationed outside Madison's room.

"I can't believe Madison was so ruthless with herself. What if the baby actually died and Mr. Hartwell left her?"

The other one laughed mockingly. "I heard the baby isn't even Mr. Hartwell's. If she miscarried, she could get rid of that woman and use Mr. Hartwell's sympathy to get pregnant again with a real one. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

I listened quietly, then let out a soft laugh. My steps did not slow as I walked resolutely toward the airport.