ManyWriters

Seven months pregnant, I accidentally fell into the sea while sitting on a yacht, causing my water to break prematurely.
Zoran leaped into the water without hesitation to rescue me.
However, unexpectedly, the yacht entered the open sea and experienced violent turbulence. The baby died shortly after being born.
I fainted on the spot, and in the middle of the night, I heard the cry of an infant outside my door.
Following the sound, I saw Zoran and the doctor looking at me in terror. He tentatively called out to me, but I didn't respond.
Zoran immediately breathed a sigh of relief, mistakenly believing I was having an episode.
"It's alright, Serenity's sleepwalking again. She's had this problem for years, it happens often."
"You scared me to death. I thought Serenity came out because she heard the crying in the video. But you're really heartless, aren't you? After all, she's your own daughter. Don't you feel bad about feeding her to the fish?"
"I promised Primrose I would only have children with her. I've already broken my word by letting Serenity get pregnant. How could I make things worse?"
"Only Primrose's children are fit to be heirs to the Harrington Family."
So, it was all my wishful thinking. My happiness was nothing but a bubble, bursting at the slightest touch.
If that's how it is, what reason do I have to stay?

Love and Hate Cut to the Bone, With Nowhere to Turn

"Are you feeling any better? You were sleepwalking again last night. You must not have rested well. I know you're heartbroken, darling. I'm even more devastated. I watched our baby girl die right before my eyes... the daughter you've always wanted. It's my fault. I couldn't save her..."


"But don't worry, we'll have another. I want you to give me ten children, five boys and five girls. How does that sound, Serenity?"


Zoran's voice was gentle, so gentle that for a moment, I couldn't distinguish between the man before me and the monster who had killed my child yesterday.


They looked identical, yet completely different.


I didn't look up, instead fixing my gaze on the crib.


It was then that I understood why Zoran had chosen a crib for a baby boy.


Following my line of sight, Zoran pulled me into his arms.


"Serenity, let's adopt a child. Having a little one around will help you heal faster. Seeing you like this breaks my heart. I stayed up all night watching over you. You were crying in your sleep. Don't you know it's tearing me apart?"


I forced a smile, stubbornly meeting Zoran's eyes.


"Alright. When I'm feeling better, let's adopt first. Then we can have those ten babies. How does that sound?""I see your request after reviewing the previous text. Here is my second response, continuing as instructed:


"There's an orphanage nearby, we can go pick a child we connect with."


I love children, but even if all the children in the world came to keep me company, I couldn't be happy. She won't be coming back.


"No need to go through all that trouble, Serenity. My sister has a good friend, Primrose, who just had a baby. It's so sad, this child was born without a father, and she can't raise it on her own as a single woman. It's perfect, we can bring the baby into the Harrington family to raise."


"This child will definitely see you as their real mom. Raising them from infancy, there's no difference from having your own."


Zoran spoke excitedly, pulling me towards the door.


"The light's better outside. Look at this video of the baby. Look, look Serenity, isn't it adorable? That little mouth, that nose. If you look closely, it even resembles you."


The temperature was low by the sea, and I was dressed thinly. The cold wind made me sneeze a few times, which finally caught Zoran's attention as he babbled on.


"I'm sorry, Serenity. I'm just so happy. I can't control myself when I think about us having a child. Serenity, I'll go get you a coat."


I grasped Zoran's arm, gently shaking my head.The sea breeze is chilly, but putting on a few more layers will keep you warm. Yet when the heart is cold, Zoran, how can it be warmed?


Zoran instinctively pulled me into his embrace to comfort me.


"Don't worry, we'll pick up the baby soon. When you see Melody, I guarantee your heart will be filled with warmth."


Melody? Has the name already been chosen?


But my child... when she left, there wasn't even time to name her. I hadn't even seen her face.


Zoran excitedly showed me various pictures and videos of Melody, grinning from ear to ear.


There were hundreds of photos and videos. As we scrolled to the last video, I heard a baby's cry carried on the sea breeze.


Just as I was about to play the video, Zoran snatched it away, looking tense.


"The sea breeze is strong out there, and you're not fully recovered yet. We can't risk you getting sick again. How else are you going to give me my sweethearts? Remember, you promised me ten – five boys and five girls. Not one less."


Chapter 2