ManyWriters

I sold my body to my husband, Cade Sterling.
One hundred thousand dollars. That was his price for a night with me. The only thing keeping our son, Leo, alive.
My stepmother whispered lies in his ear, and he believed them. He forced another woman into our bed while I was forced onto an operating table.
"You're pregnant," the nurse said, her voice a sterile blade. "Mr. Sterling has requested a termination."
Then, I was forced to watch my son Leo, my only reason for living, leap from a cliff to save me from further torment.
He was gone.
My husband had murdered our first child, and now our second. There was nothing left to live for.
In the cold, scarlet water of the bathtub, I finally let go.
But as darkness claimed me, I didn't know the truth was a far more cruel and twisted thing than I could have ever imagined.
And that Cade Sterling, my tormentor, was about to pay a price far greater than money could ever cover.

His Ruinous Price

Aria felt as if lightning had struck her. If she hadn't been leaning against the wall, she would have collapsed.


The absurdity was ludicrous. Cade had just murdered her child, and now he was having a baby with her stepmother.


Kendra looked at Aria with pure, unadulterated hatred in her eyes. If she could, she would inflict every possible pain on Aria just to feel a moment of ease.


Meanwhile, Cade wept for her. The powerful, unbreakable man was seen crying when he heard the news of Aria’s miscarriage.


He sat in a dimly lit bar, neon lights reflecting off the tears on his face. Kendra was infuriated. She couldn’t accept that her man was crying over another woman.


Kendra looked at Aria with patronizing superiority. “Aria, do you know why Cade terminated your pregnancy?”


“It’s because he chose me over you,” she added, her voice a cruel whisper.


“I told him that I wouldn’t keep my baby if he chose to keep yours. Obviously, he cares about me more. He had to kill your baby for me!”


In a reckless provocation, she continued, “Aria, you’ll never win! You will always be a loser!”


“I killed your father, and now I’ve killed the child in your belly. Sooner or later, I’ll kill you and your sick little boy! All of you must die!”


“Ah!” The revelation was a crushing blow. Aria was already struggling with severe depression. There was no way she could handle this merciless assault.


But one thing became clear. She vowed silently to avenge the murders of her child and her father.


Aria’s eyes turned bloodshot. She lunged at Kendra. She was weak from the miscarriage, but her rage gave her a surge of strength. She knocked Kendra to the ground.


“Kendra, you are a monster! I’m going to kill you! For my father, and for my child!”


Her life had been a tragic injustice. If the law wouldn’t punish this murderer, she would take justice into her own hands.


Aria pulled Kendra’s hair, screaming, “Kendra, I won’t let you harm anyone else!”


Her right hand was disabled, but her left hand was strong. She pummeled Kendra with a clenched fist, then shoved her against the wall.


She didn't mean to harm Kendra's baby, but she couldn't stand the provocation any longer. This woman was a disgrace.


Kendra had come to gloat. She never expected her words to incite such violence. Aria had lost control, and it was terrifying.


Panicked, she screamed for help. “Help me! She’s going to kill me! Help! Cade, help me! Help!”


Cade dashed in and pushed Aria aside. When he saw the blood dripping down Kendra’s thighs, his face turned ashen.


“Kendra, don’t be afraid. I won’t let anything happen to you or our child.”


Without wasting a moment, Cade carried her out of the ward. But before he left, he turned and gave Aria a look of pure, cold hostility.


“Aria, if anything happens to this baby, I will turn your life into a living hell!”


Cade’s threat was met with a derisive, tearful laugh. Her father was dead. Her baby was gone. Leo's last hope was gone. Her life was already a living hell. Nothing could possibly make it worse.


Chapter 7