3#03

3

Jacob remained still for a second before swiftly cradling Daisy's head, intensifying their kiss.

"Jacob, please be careful. I'm concerned about the baby's wellbeing..." she whispered.

"Be quiet. I know exactly what I'm doing."

I couldn't stand to observe what followed. As I hastily departed, their hushed words of affection reverberated in my ears, piercing my heart like sharp fragments.

The man who had once promised to cherish me eternally was now secretly meeting another woman behind my back.

It felt as if an unseen force had struck me across the face. The shame was overwhelming, engulfing me like quicksand. My knees buckled, and I crumpled to the ground in a pitiful and ridiculous heap.

A nurse passing by rushed to assist me. Noticing the tears streaming down my cheeks, she assumed I had injured myself and consoled me, "Ma'am, please don't cry. Mr. Lopez would be heartbroken if he saw you like this."

Seeing the nurse's concerned expression, I could no longer contain my emotions. I burst into uncontrollable sobs.

After weeping until I was completely drained, I returned to my room and fell onto the bed.

When I regained consciousness, Jacob was still absent. Instead, Daisy stood at the foot of my bed, her expression grim.

Her gaze held no trace of respect. Instead, she looked at me contemptuously and taunted, "You witnessed what happened earlier, didn't you? Jacob loves me. I'm expecting his child."

I clenched my fists and trembled as I inquired, "How long have you two been together?"

Daisy smirked, raising three fingers with an air of triumph.

"Three years. Three years ago, he encountered me at a dinner party and fell for me instantly. That very night, he spent the entire evening in my company. Upon returning, he felt guilty about you, so he transferred all his assets to your name. But those belongings were meant for me and my baby. You've taken what rightfully belongs to us!"

I bit my lip hard, resisting the urge to strike her.

Observing my restraint only emboldened Daisy further. She added arrogantly, "Do you believe he truly loves you? Every night after you fall asleep, he comes to me. Even now, with me pregnant, he can't stay away. And just so you're aware, on the day of your miscarriage, he wasn't at some business meeting—he was in my bed, enjoying himself. He can't live without me anymore. If you're wise, you'll grant him a divorce willingly."

Her words struck me like a hammer blow. I recalled that day—the excruciating pain that caused me to lose consciousness multiple times, the near-death experience from blood loss.

The doctors called Jacob ten times, but he didn't respond. Eventually, his phone was switched off.

The following day, he returned and knelt by my bedside, claiming he had been trapped in a business meeting. He loathed himself for not being present and even slapped himself repeatedly as punishment.

But in reality, while I was writhing in agony and struggling for life, he was indulging in pleasure with another woman.

The last glimmer of hope I harbored for him shattered completely. My heart turned cold and lifeless.

Daisy, noting my defeated state, grew even more arrogant. With hands on her hips, she sneered, "Oh, and tomorrow, Jacob will be marrying me. It's going to be even more extravagant than the wedding he gave you. Don't forget to join us in celebration!"

With that, she strutted out of the room like a triumphant rooster, her head held high.

As I watched her retreating figure, pain throbbed in my chest. The next moment, darkness enveloped me, and I lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes again, it was already the following morning. The first thing I saw was Jacob, his eyes bloodshot as he sat beside me, keeping vigil.

The moment he noticed I was awake, he pulled me into his arms, his voice thick with emotion.

"Larissa, you're finally conscious. You terrified me just now."

The memory of what I had witnessed in the storage room flashed through my mind, filling me with revulsion. I pushed him away.

"I'm fine," I said coldly.

Jacob froze for a moment, stunned by my rejection. A flicker of hurt flashed in his eyes.