Lena’s POV

“Lena, what’s wrong? I’ve called you three times and didn’t hear back.” My sister Avery’s voice sounded behind me just as I stepped into the mansion.

So much had happened over the past few days that I must not have paid attention to my phone.

But Avery lived in another city, yet she had flown all the way here just because I missed three of her calls.

I turned. Seeing her standing there, worry written all over her face, made something twist painfully in my chest.

I wanted to tell her everything. After our mother passed away, Avery was the one who raised me.

But how could I tell her? That her little sister had become nothing more than a pawn in some twisted love game? That the husband she had reluctantly accepted was nothing but a cheating man?

Before I married Caleb, Avery had been strongly against it. She said Caleb and I came from two completely different worlds. Even people who were alike struggled to stay together—let alone the two of us.

And now it felt like she had been right all along.

And I felt like I had failed her. I couldn’t—wouldn’t dare—to say any of it.

Avery noticed the look on my face immediately. She stepped closer and gently brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

“Did something happen?” she asked softly. “Where’s Caleb? I thought today was your monthly checkup. Shouldn’t he be here with you?”

I shook my head and forced a small smile. “He’s been really busy with the casino lately,” I said. “I can handle it by myself.”

Avery frowned. “What kind of man is he if he can’t even care about his own family? Even if he’s busy…”

She muttered. “Sometimes I wonder if letting you marry Caleb was the right choice. Being with a man like him means living without any real stability or security. And now he even dares to leave you to handle the pregnancy alone?”

I quickly wrapped my arms around her in a hug. “Since you are here now, how about you making my favorite pie, sis?” I said lightly. “I’ve been craving it so much lately.”

I couldn’t let her continue down that path. I was afraid I might break in front of her.

But I couldn’t.

Because doing that would ruin my chance to leave quietly—and it could put Avery in danger as well.

I knew Avery’s temper. If she found out about Ruby and Caleb, she would storm straight to him without a second thought, demanding answers from a man as dangerous as Caleb.

So the less she knew, the safer she would be.

…

Caleb didn’t come home for another two days.

During those two days, he called me only once. He said he had to fly to another city for urgent business. He told me to take care of myself. He said he loved me and couldn’t wait to come home.

For all I knew, he could have been lying beside Ruby when he made that call.

But I was glad he didn’t come back. I didn’t have the energy to deal with him or his lies anymore. And I certainly didn’t want to stand in front of him pretending everything was fine.

My mood stayed calm. Everything felt steady.

And just when I thought things would stay quiet until the day I left— Ruby called me.

She was already sitting in the restaurant when I arrived that afternoon, casually ordering a salad. When she saw me walk in, she raised an eyebrow.

“I thought you wouldn’t come.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” I replied calmly. “I’m not the one sneaking behind someone’s back to cuddle with her husband.”

“You—” Ruby’s expression tightened for a second. “Caleb and I were together first. If it weren’t for… well, never mind. Just know this—I’m far more qualified to stand beside Caleb than you ever were.”

“If that’s true,” I said with a faint smile, “then why come to me? Why not just cry at his feet and ask him to give you the Donna title?”

I could see the anger rising in her eyes.

Maybe she had expected me to break down by now. Maybe she thought I would cry, or beg, or look heartbroken so she could feel like she had truly won.

But I gave her none of that. Instead, I looked completely indifferent. And that was something Ruby couldn’t tolerate.

Ruby’s smile turned cold. She suddenly stood up. Before I could react, she grabbed the glass from the table and threw the ice water straight at me.

Lena’s POV

“Who gave you the right to talk to me like that?” she snapped. “I’m the future Donna.”

Her eyes swept over me with contempt. “And you? You’re nothing but a joke.”

I reacted quickly, grabbing for the glass to throw the water back at her. But before I could move, two guards stepped forward and caught my wrist.

I turned sharply. They were Caleb’s men.

“Are you two insane?” I demanded. “I’m your Donna. Let go of me, or I’ll call Caleb right now.”

One of them didn’t even flinch.

“Sorry,” he said stiffly. “The Don specifically ordered us to protect Miss Ruby’s safety. No one is an exception.”

He paused, then added quietly, “Even…”

He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to.

Even me—the Donna everyone now seemed to know was nothing but a lie—forced to stand there while my husband’s mistress humiliated me, while the men who once swore to protect me held me in place.

“Let go of me,” I said coldly. “I won’t repeat myself.”

Neither of them moved.

Ruby suddenly laughed. “You still don’t understand, do you?” she said lightly. “You might have the title, Lena, but I have everything else. It’s time you wake up.”

I sneered at her. “I only came today to tell you to your face—if you want Caleb, then take him. I’m not interested in competing with you over some lying, pathetic man who can’t even stay faithful to his own words—”

Before I could finish, Ruby’s hand struck my face. The slap echoed sharply across the room.

“Don’t you dare talk about Caleb like that,” she snapped.

“Miss Ruby!” The guards released me at once, and I collapsed to the ground.

“Oh, please,” Ruby waved it off. “It’s just a slap. It’s not like I could slap the baby out of her.”

Her eyes flicked toward the guards. “Caleb won’t know anything if the two of you keep your mouths shut.”

I wanted to stand, but next second, a sharp tearing pain twisted through my belly.

Something warm ran down my thigh.

Ruby glanced at me and rolled her eyes.

“Oh, quit playing the delicate little skank.” she said with a sneer. “I called you here today to remind you not to forget what I told you the other day. You’ve occupied the Donna seat long enough. It’s time for you to leave.”

She turned and walked away.

The two guards hesitated for a brief second, looking at me, then they followed her.

I was still on the ground, too afraid to move. Cold sweat gathered on my forehead as my vision began to blur.

No…This couldn’t be happening again.

Was it the stress? Had everything finally pushed my body too far?

Someone passing by noticed my condition and rushed over. “Miss, do you need an ambulance?” they asked urgently.

I was too weak to speak. All I could do was nod.

…

The ambulance arrived quickly. They wheeled me inside, and the moment I saw the nurses surrounding me, a small part of my heart finally settled.

I gestured weakly for my phone.

One of the nurses leaned closer, and I whispered, “Call Caleb… my husband.”

She nodded and dialed the number.

The call rang once. Then it was hung up.

She tried again. Caleb hung up a second time.

The nurse looked back at me awkwardly.

I drew in a shaky breath, took the phone from her hand, and dialed another number.

“Avery…” My voice came out faint. “Can you come to Madison Avenue Hospital? My stomach… it hurts. I’m scared…”

Another wave of pain crashed through me, sharp and brutal, like something tearing through my waist.

“Don’t worry,” Avery said immediately. “I’ve got you. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Hearing her voice was enough to make me relax slightly.

But the moment the call ended, another wave of pain struck, then another.

My vision began to blur as my consciousness slowly slipped away.

The nurses moved quickly around me, fitting an oxygen mask over my face.

“Please…” I whispered weakly. “Please save my baby.”

I couldn’t lose this child too. Not again.

But before I could say anything else, darkness swallowed my mind completely.