The crowd let out a chorus of boos, seemingly convinced I had been KO'd.
Adrenaline played a crucial role as I wiped a smear of blood from my nose and slowly got to my feet.
The match continued.
Due to pregnancy-induced weakness and diminished strength, my entire body felt fragile.
My opponent launched another barrage of attacks, and with a sickening crack...
My left arm bent at an impossible angle under the force.
But I managed to score a point by striking my opponent with my right hand.
Given a moment to catch my breath, I scanned the audience, my gaze suddenly freezing.
I spotted Gunner sitting in a distant corner, with Snowdrop facing him, straddling his lap and grinding against him.
Gunner's face was a mask of restraint, but he finally snapped, grabbing her and pinning her beneath him.
His eyes never once strayed to me on the fighting mat.
Meanwhile, my opponent had been provoked into a rage.
She advanced on me, her face contorted with fury.
This time she abandoned her focus on my abdomen, instead raining blow after blow on my head from both sides.
The entire arena was sprayed with blood from my nose and mouth.
Once again, I crashed to the ground heavily.
The referee blew the whistle to start the count, and I forced my eyelids open, looking toward the stands.
Gunner and his companion could no longer control themselves, beginning to tear at each other's clothes.
My gaze hardened with determination as I struggled to my feet once more, swaying unsteadily. This time, even the audience fell silent.
A female opponent who had once cursed me choked up, desperately waving from below to cheer me on.
I stopped defending and started throwing punches with all my might.
The substitute took several heavy blows, her gaze coldly fixed on my slightly protruding belly.
Then, she threw a powerful punch!
I caught her movement but didn't block it. Instead, I summoned all my strength to attack her head.
The substitute crashed to the ground, and the arena erupted in unprecedented applause.
"Congratulations to contestant Jolene, winner of this golden belt women's boxing match!"
But soon, every face in the crowd shifted from joy to panic.
Drip, drip...
The blood flowing from beneath me increased, nearly staining the entire ring red.
The team doctor rushed over to examine me, utterly shocked.
"How could a pregnant woman compete?"
"This is a miscarriage with severe bleeding. It could be fatal!"
The doctor's words echoed throughout the arena through the microphone.
Gunner, his clothes disheveled, suddenly looked up, his gaze meeting my hollow eyes.
Gunner frantically pushed away the woman in his arms and ran towards me like a madman.
People crowded around me, leaving no room to breathe.
Staff and other contestants wanted to help, but seeing me covered in blood, they didn't know where to begin. I can only wait for the ambulance to arrive.
"Jolene! Let me in! She's my darling!"
Gunner roared, trying to rush in, but was blocked outside by the righteously indignant female contestants.
"What were you doing when Jolene was competing earlier? You were cuddling up with Snowdrop down in the audience. Did you think everyone was blind?"
"Jerk! Cheaters deserve to rot in hell!"
Gunner's eyes were bloodshot, his anger nearly making him lose his mind.
"Get out of my way! What's between Jolene and me is none of your business!"
"If anything happens to Jolene because of this delay, you'll all pay for it!"
With that, Gunner forcefully broke through the circle, trembling as he picked up my blood-covered body.
"Jolene, don't fall asleep, please."
Gunner's hot tears fell onto my blood-stained face.
The remorse on his face was almost overwhelming him.
"I didn't know you were pregnant, Jolene. It's my fault. I failed to protect you both."