Chapter 6

"Adrian, my mother is in critical condition. She needs two hundred thousand dollars for surgery, right now."

"I'm begging you. Just unfreeze my accounts, please. If this drags on any longer, she'll die!"

His expression didn't change. He simply kicked me away.

"Still trying to scam money out of me?! Fine! I'm calling the police right now."

He ignored my desperate pleas and reached for his phone to call the police.

I struggled to get to my feet and escape, but he brought his foot down hard on my lower abdomen.

The pain was so excruciating that I couldn't even cry out.

When the officers arrived and led me out, there wasn't a trace of pity on Adrian's face.

He simply turned away, pulled Vivian into his arms, and murmured something to her in a gentle, soothing voice.

By the time the police were done questioning me, I rushed straight to the hospital.

But the doctor met me with a look of deep regret.

The surgery hadn't come in time. My mother had died in agony.

A coppery taste flooded my mouth. I forced the hatred down and dialed my lawyer's number.

Whatever love I'd once had for Adrian was gone. There was nothing left between us now but a debt written in blood.

...

When Adrian woke up the following morning, his head was splitting.

He'd barely stepped out of his room when Vivian hurried up to him.

Before she could say a thing, he pushed her aside.

"Why are you in my house?"

His phone rang before she could answer.

Adrian answered, already looking irritated.

"Elise, what are you making a fuss about now? We agreed I'd take you to your prenatal checkup today and visit your mother afterward. Why didn't you wait for me? Why did you go without me?"

But an unfamiliar voice came through the receiver.

"Mr. Prescott, your wife had an induced-labor procedure three days ago. We're calling to remind her that she's scheduled for a follow-up appointment today."

Adrian froze in place, as if he'd been struck by lightning.

The next second, his eyes landed on the document envelope sitting in the entryway.

He hung up and opened it with shaking hands.

The moment he saw what was inside, all color drained from his face.

There were two documents in the manila envelope.

One was the divorce agreement.

The other was my mother's death certificate.