ManyWriters

On the day I was seven months pregnant, Alaric proposed to his pure love.
That woman took off the ring Alaric had placed on her finger himself and tossed it into the sea.
"Alaric, I heard Miss Langdon used to be a state swim team champion. Why don't you have her jump in and fetch my ring for me?"
Her finger traced Alaric's pecs as she breathed into his ear, "I'll play any game you want tonight."
Alaric's heated gaze roamed over her legs, then he turned to me with a smirk.
I understood his meaning and frantically clutched my belly, pleading, "Alaric, I'm seven months pregnant, and it's winter..."
But Alaric just swallowed hard and scoffed, "You don't actually think I care about that bastard in your belly, do you? It's not like you haven't miscarried before. Why act all precious now? Jump in and find that ring, or you're never coming back up!"
He had someone forcibly lift me and throw me into the sea.
I bobbed up and down in the frigid water, searching back and forth for hours.
Until I felt something draining from my belly, until the azure sea water was stained with a streak of crimson...
I looked up at the scene on the cruise ship, where Alaric was marrying his pure love amid the cheers of the crowd, and my heart finally shattered.
Seven years of marriage, nine miscarriages, this was the last time.

Seven Months Pregnant into the Sea to Retrieve a Ring

He cast a sidelong glance at me, his eyes narrowed. "Do you think she has the fortune and qualifications for this?"


After seven years of marriage, I hadn't gained the approval of the Everhart family or Alaric, let alone dream of this ring.


I closed my eyes, then heard Harlow giggle and say—


"True, she wasn't qualified before, and certainly not now. After all, the Everhart family doesn't need a hen that can't lay eggs."


She affectionately wrapped her arms around Alaric's neck, batting her bright, dewy eyes flirtatiously.


"Don't worry, Alaric. Those children she lost, I'll give them back to you in the future. As many as you want..."


The room instantly echoed with Alaric's satisfied laughter, which fell on my ears like a thousand needles, pricking incessantly.


I finally couldn't take it anymore and said to them, "Are you done talking?"


"I just had a miscarriage. I need to rest now. Could you please leave?"


The next moment, Alaric frowned in displeasure, snorting with heavy sarcasm.


"What are you playing at? You've never been this dramatic about miscarriages before. Don't tell me you're trying to attract attention with this act?"


I didn't lose my first pregnancy because of an accident or health issues. No, I lost it because Alaric dragged me to a business dinner to help him entertain clients.


There I was, almost six months pregnant, forced to down glass after glass of watered-down booze.


Even so, the very next day after miscarrying in the hospital, I heard that Stark Industries had run into trouble with a project. Despite running a fever of over 104°F, I stood outside our partner's office building in the scorching heat until I nearly passed out from weakness, just to secure that contract for him.


The second time I lost a baby, Alaric came home drunk. I rushed to get him a warm washcloth and some hangover remedy, but he got impatient. He grabbed my wrist and threw me down the stairs with all his might. My belly slammed into the corner, and scalding hot soup spilled all over me.


I was nine months pregnant at the time, less than two weeks from my due date.


After a few days of recovery in the hospital, I saw the news that Alaric had been in a car accident while on a business trip out of state. Seeing the photos of him with his arms wrapped in layers of bandages, I immediately checked myself out of the hospital and rushed to the scene of the accident to be by his side.


But now, everything I've ever done for him - even risking my life - has become his excuse to tell me not to be so dramatic.


Seeing me sit silently on the hospital bed with reddened eyes, Alaric finally lost his patience.He lunged forward, seizing my wrist and violently yanking me onto the floor.


"Still pretending? Harlow's going to live with us from now on. Go pack up your room and clear it out for her!"


"She's not used to the maid's cooking, so from now on, you'll have the meals ready before she wakes up or comes home..."


I finally lifted my head, staring blankly at Alaric's face, twisted with disgust.


I didn't cry or make a scene. Instead, I faced him, cracking my chapped and bleeding lips into a faint smile.


"Alaric, does my current state satisfy you now?"


Seven years ago, Alaric's sister Aria and I were members of the state swim team.


We became best friends, and Aria even introduced me to her brother, Alaric.


During that time, the three of us went on adventures together.


Even the day before Aria's accident, Alaric, with a blushing face, placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.


Everything was going well, but one accident pushed the fate of all three of us to rock bottom.


Chapter 2