Venus, So Close Yet So Far

The next day, my bedroom door was pushed open. Nancy walked in as if she owned the place.

"You saw everything yesterday, didn't you? I'm the one Michael truly loves. I won't beat around the bush. I need you to leave Michael. You know he only married you so he could be with me openly."

My brows knit together. "Then why don't you tell him that yourself?"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed her eyes before she let out a cold laugh.

"Back then, you saved Michael's life. He's always felt indebted to you for that. Originally, I didn't care much about titles or status, but…" She placed a hand over her slightly rounded belly and continued, "I'm pregnant. My child must be the next heir of the Dalio family. A legitimate heir."

It felt like I'd been struck hard. A chill spread through my entire body.

She… was pregnant?

My mind drifted back to three years ago—to that first night Michael and I had been wrapped up in each other, inseparable. He had kissed my lower abdomen so gently.

"Venus, let's have a daughter someday, okay? A daughter just like you. I'll protect both of you. I want a real family—one that truly belongs to me," he had said.

That was why I had knelt before that person, begging for the secret medicine—just to fulfill Michael's wish, to give him the family he longed for.

So it had all been a lie.

I closed my eyes as tears slipped down my face.

Seeing my humiliation only seemed to delight Nancy further. Her smile widened as she picked up the photo on the table—a picture of my mother and me together.

"Oh, right. There's something else you should know. Your mother was moved into the ICU last night."

My heart lurched. That was impossible.

Michael had already instructed the housekeeper last night—he wouldn't lie to me.

I convinced myself Nancy was lying and forced a calm tone.

"That's impossible. You're lying to me, aren't you?"

Nancy only sneered, offering no reply.

Panic surged through me. I had to know what was happening with my mother.

Without thinking, I shoved Nancy to the ground and clamped my hands around her throat.

"Are you lying to me or not?!"

Her eyes widened in shock as she clawed at my hands. When she realized I had no intention of letting go, she began to scream for help.

"Michael… Michael…"

He rushed over at the sound of her voice. The moment he stepped through the door, Nancy broke free and threw herself into his arms.

"I came to apologize to Venus, but she thought I was trying to seduce you and tried to strangle me. Thank God you came in time…"

She sobbed softly.

Michael immediately wrapped his arms around her, comforting her. Then he turned to me, his voice rising in anger.

"Venus, haven't you learned your lesson? Still throwing a fit like a lunatic?"

All I wanted was to know if my mother was safe.

"She said my mom—"

"Enough."

He cut me off before I could finish.

"No matter what Nancy says, you need to show respect. Since you married into the Dalio family, you'll follow our rules. Stay in your room and reflect on your behavior."

With that, he locked the door. Then he lifted Nancy in his arms and hurried off to the hospital.

I pounded desperately against the door, but the only response I got was the fading roar of a Rolls-Royce engine.

My hands soon went numb from the pain, and a wave of despair swallowed me whole.