ManyWriters

At our engagement dinner, my fiancé Liam publicly announced his secret marriage to socialite Chloe.
Dressed in my wedding gown, I became the laughingstock of the evening.
In that moment, my childhood friend Ethan, a renowned surgeon, slipped a ring onto my finger: "Maya, you're mine now."
I nodded in agreement.
Seven months pregnant, I suffered a terrible car accident.
Ethan arrived like a guardian angel, pulling me from the wreckage moments before it exploded, performing emergency care on the spot.
When I opened my eyes again, he was by my hospital bed, his eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse: "Maya, I'm so sorry, we lost the baby and your uterus..."
I was devastated beyond words.
Ethan held me tight: "Don't be afraid, I'll always be by your side."
But six years later, I accidentally stumbled upon a surveillance video:
"Chloe's infertile by nature. Am I supposed to watch her lose Liam's love? Maya's child is the perfect 'asset'. That accident must look flawless, ensuring the 'asset's' safety."
"As for Maya, her survival is already my act of mercy. Making her infertile ensures she'll be mine forever."
What I thought was my salvation turned out to be a carefully crafted cage.

Caged By Love

I turned away, no longer looking at him, intending to leave.


Ethan, disregarding the guards' attempts to stop him, shouted hoarsely, "Maya! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have hurt you! But I love you! Chloe was just a pawn I used to control the situation! Only after you left did I realize I can't live without you!"


"I've cut all ties with her! I know you're angry, you can hit me or curse at me, but please, don't abandon me! Look at me, Maya! It's me, Ethan!"


Seeing my silence, desperation welled up in Ethan's eyes. He suddenly turned towards Lily, who was brought by a social worker and standing not far away. Lily was looking at him with caution and fear in her eyes. Ethan's voice turned coaxing, "Maya, didn't you want a child? Lily is our child! Do you want her to grow up in a broken environment without parents?"


"Won't you come home with me? We can start over, the three of us can have a good life together!"


At the mention of Lily, my expression finally showed a hint of emotion.


Chapter 9