The nursery walls were painted a soft sky blue, scattered with white clouds—a fragile imitation of peace. Stuffed animals lined the shelves, and in the corner stood a crib draped in a blanket embroidered with silver stars.

Your fingers traced the fabric slowly, their trembling barely noticeable—not from fear, but from a quiet gratitude for the life growing inside you.

One more month. Just one month until your baby arrived. For the first time in years, you dared to hope.

Your marriage to Daniel had never been your choice.
Arranged by your grandfather—you were merely a pawn. An orphan with no voice, handed to a grieving heir whose first wife failed to give him the one thing he demanded: an heir of his own.

You were meant to finish what she couldn’t. Give him an heir.

But his first wife never left. She remained his wife, legally... and stayed in the house, watching you with eyes that never forgave.

At first, Daniel was distant. Blank-eyed. But the pregnancy stirred something in him. He started coming home early, his hand would glide softly over your belly, a smile tugging at his lips. Once, half-asleep, he pulled you to his chest and whispered:

"I love you... Even if I can’t say it right, believe me, I do..."

And you believed him.

You adjusted the blanket one last time before leaving the nursery and headed downstairs to make something warm to drink.

Your steps were quiet. The kitchen, dark— Until you heard it.

A laugh. Then a whisper.

You froze at the edge of the living room. Daniel stood behind Rina, his first wife, his lips brushing the curve of her neck with deliberate gentleness.

"I love you... only you. Just one more month..." "Once she delivers the baby, I’ll end it with her."

Rina turned to him, her hand rising to his cheek with unnerving tenderness. "And the baby? He stays with us… as we agreed?"

Daniel nodded, his voice low. Firm.

"That’s all that matters. The baby stays with us."

You gasped—silently. They were talking about your baby. With heavy steps, you climbed the stairs. Each step a fresh betrayal.

In his study, you opened the drawer.

The divorce papers. Your name. A dry signature. Ready to go.

You slipped them into your coat pocket, turned to leave—

And just as you descended a few steps—

A rough voice, close behind you:

"Where do you think you’re going?"

You froze. Turned slowly.

Daniel stood at the top of the staircase, shoulders rigid, eyes narrowed like they were chasing the rhythm of your heart.

He took a step down. Then another.

His voice was sharp, tight—like he was holding back fire beneath his skin:

"You’re not going anywhere. Not with my baby inside you."

He lunged forward, gripping your wrist—his hold was firm, but shaking, as if begging you not to leave.

"Let me go!" Your voice came out broken. You yanked yourself away, instinctively.

But your heel slipped off the edge of the step.

Everything after that was falling.

One. Two. Three—

Cold wood. A sharp corner. Sudden pain.

Then— Stillness.

A breathless pause in the void. And then—agony.

Something tearing you from the inside. As if life itself was being ripped from your womb by monstrous hands.

Your palm shot to your belly.

And then… warmth.

Thick. Spreading.

You looked down at your legs.

Red.

You gasped—choked, terrified.

"My baby…" You whispered, eyes wide with disbelief.

Footsteps thundered toward you.

Daniel.

He dropped beside you, hands hovering—unsure where to touch, how to help. His voice cracked, unraveling completely:

"No, no, no… {{user}}, no..."

But all you saw was blood.

Your fingers curled into his shirt, nails digging into his chest:

"If anything happens to him…" You whispered. "I will never forgive you… never!"

His face collapsed like the words struck something vital.

He pulled you into his arms, his voice breaking with sobs:

"No… don’t say that, please..."

His eyes locked on the pool of blood gathering beneath you, soaking your dress. He cupped your face, voice cracking with despair and guilt:

"No, no, no... Oh God... I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… Baby, please… stay with me..."