The Twenty-Billion-Dollar Sacrifice

The ER doctor was a colleague. "Dr. Foley? What happened?" she gasped.

Before I could answer, the news on the TV blared. "Disgraced Surgeon Elena Ball Stages Fall to Win Back Tech CEO."

Then, the curtain ripped open. Victoria Turner, Liam's mother.

"You embarrass my son?" she screamed, slapping me.

Her bodyguards dragged me out of the hospital bed. "She's coming with us."

They took me to a warehouse. Victoria forced me to knees.

"Liam is launching his IPO. He doesn't need a crazy ex-wife," she spat.

She called Liam. "I have her. I'm teaching her a lesson."

"Liam!" I screamed at the phone. "I'm pregnant! Help me!"

"Mom," Liam's voice came through, weary. "Just... make sure she doesn't cause trouble. I trust you."

He hung up.

They left me there. Hours later, the pain in my stomach became a knife. I felt the warmth of blood.

My baby.

I screamed for help, but no one came. I miscarries on the cold concrete floor, alone, apologizing to the tiny soul I couldn't save.

The next morning, they dumped me at a clinic.

I woke up empty.

A text from Liam: Mom went too far, but you pushed her. Let's move on.

I stared at the phone. Then I dialed the number I had memorized.

"Julian," I whispered.

"Elena?" His voice was sharp, commanding. "Where are you?"

"I lost the baby, Julian. I lost everything. I want to come home."

"I'm coming," he said, his voice shaking with a rage I had never heard. "And God help them when I get there."