Due to a delayed medical appointment, I inadvertently caused my husband’s favorite person to miss a meal.

Without hesitation, Kaden Mason ordered the driver to lock me in a stuffy car, forcing me to contemplate my actions.

"If you hadn’t gone for that check-up at the last minute, Aniyah wouldn’t have starved herself into a stomach cramp and passed out from the pain!"

"This is your fault!"

I knocked frantically on the window, desperate for help, as the oppressive heat became unbearable and the baby inside me stopped moving. Meanwhile, inside the house, Kaden was preparing chicken noodle soup for Aniyah, completely indifferent to my plight.

In utter desperation, I finally reached out to that person. Coincidentally, Kaden’s phone rang at the same time:

"Trying to play victim just to get back upstairs? I’m not buying it!"

I chuckled quietly, knowing what he didn’t—that person's Rolls-Royce was already waiting at the entrance to the garage. This time, I was truly ready to leave...

==============================

Just outside the hospital doors, the demanding Aniyah started her antics again:

"I wanted chicken soup with dumplings; didn’t I ask for it this morning?"

"Why hasn’t it appeared yet? If Kaden finds out you’re neglecting me, you won’t get away with it!"

I never knew how to handle Aniyah, who was three years younger than me, because Kaden had personally brought her into our lives. I couldn't challenge her or reprimand her, so I endured her constant provocations and threats.

"I had a medical appointment today, and I’m not feeling well. I can’t make it back by noon. If you’re hungry, ask the housekeeper to prepare lunch."

"You..."

Before Aniyah could finish speaking, I quickly hung up, feeling dizzy.

The doctor warned that my excessive fatigue over the past month had severely impacted my health, and without rest, I might face a premature birth.

I rubbed my temples and approached the car, motioning for the driver to open the door. His expression shifted, and he seemed to be typing, likely reporting something.

Once inside the car, I realized the air conditioning was off, making it unbearably stuffy this hot summer day.

"Neil, it’s too warm. Could you turn on the air conditioning, please?"

"Mr. Mason says a pregnant woman doesn’t need to be so picky. Missing it once won’t hurt."

Clearly, this was one of Kaden’s specific instructions. I swallowed my bitterness and managed a weak smile.

Ever since Aniyah came home with him, Kaden had consistently pressured me about trivial matters.

I’m sure Aniyah already complained about our phone call, prompting Kaden to instruct the driver to act this way.

Kaden feared I would bully Aniyah in private, and he constantly warned me, forgetting that I’m naturally not inclined to quarrel with others.

These difficulties seem utterly unnecessary.

After pulling into the garage, the driver hesitated to open the door, opting instead to call Kaden.

As I tried to recover from the stifling heat, I heard Kaden’s disdainful scoff:

"Estella, do you understand that your delay of a couple hours caused Aniyah to starve herself into a stomach cramp and pass out?"

"You know she has a sensitive stomach, yet you let her suffer; are you trying to harm her?"

His unrelenting accusations filled me with indignation, especially since the housekeeper was supposed to manage such tasks.

I couldn’t fathom how a two-hour delay could pose a life-threatening situation.

"It’s Aniyah’s own doing; she's fasting. I couldn’t stop her..."

"Estella, quit making excuses! You need to suffer a bit to learn from this!"

I frowned slightly, barely having time to process before noticing the driver getting out, locking the car door, and securing the windows tightly.

"Madam, Mr. Mason said to let you reflect in the garage!"

I frantically pounded on the car door, calling out for help, but the driver paid no attention and drove off without a second glance. The air inside was stifling; my throat was parched, and my belly tightened with painful cramps. My usually active baby was eerily quiet, and panic washed over me. The doctor had warned me this might happen, and now it seemed like his words were coming true. I quickly dialed Kaden Mason's number.

To my surprise, the call was picked up in less than three seconds, but it wasn’t Kaden’s voice I heard; it was Aniyah Perry.

"Kaden’s making soup for me," she said, her voice annoyingly calm. "He thinks I need to warm up after being in the ocean and that my stomach needs soothing."

"If you have something to say, just tell me directly!"

Aniyah's serene tone didn't match someone recovering from a stomach illness, and it strengthened my suspicion that she was faking it all.

She chuckled softly, dropping the act. "As long as Kaden believes me, that's all that matters. If there's nothing urgent, you should relax and enjoy the garage!"

Her voice dripped with smugness. My mildly swollen abdomen throbbed painfully; I gritted my teeth and demanded she hand over the phone. Just then, I heard footsteps in the background, and Kaden Mason’s gentle yet distant voice came through:

"Aniyah, could you check the clam chowder and see if it needs more salt?"

"Of course, Kaden! I love everything you make!"

Their carefree chatter contrasted sharply with my rising distress. With my breath becoming more labored, Kaden finally spoke, his tone tinged with irritation:

"Estella Silva, you're just sitting in a car for a while. Is this really worth all the fuss?"

I was too dehydrated to argue, my breaths quickened as tears streamed down my face—not from frustration, but sheer fear.

"Kaden, I’m begging you, for the baby’s sake, let the driver release me, won’t you?"

"I'm really not feeling well; the doctor said I shouldn’t be under stress!"

Kaden toyed with his phone, indifferent to my pain, speaking casually:

"The doctor told me you were perfectly healthy just days ago. What's your excuse now? Are you setting up a scene for me?"

"No, it's not..."

I gasped, my voice breaking with helplessness.

"Listen carefully, Estella Silva," he said coldly. "I personally saved Aniyah from the seaside, and I won’t let anyone harm her again."

"I’ve made it clear that as long as you help Aniyah recover, I won’t bother you."

"This situation is entirely of your own making."

Kaden’s voice was icy as he cut me off, hanging up without a second thought.

I had imagined Kaden and Aniyah were close, but not so close that he’d disregard the baby. The phone’s battery was nearly dead, and I had to give up struggling, leaning back in the seat, hoping someone would find me.

Another agonizing hour passed, my body overheated, as if I were in an oven. I recalled hearing on TV that in a sealed car, one could suffocate in three hours. Why was I still conscious?

I laughed bitterly, momentarily letting go of the fight to survive. Then a sharp kick jolted me awake, reminding me I wasn’t alone. I had a child, five months along; I couldn’t give up on him!

I forced myself up, grabbed my phone, which showed just nine percent battery, and dialed another number.

As expected, the call was picked up in ten seconds. Bitterness flooded me as I spoke, my voice barely audible:

"You promised that if I ever regretted my decision, you’d come to take me away."

"Is that promise still good?"

The battery dropped to three percent; my only hope hung on the person answering. If they said no, I was certainly finished.

"It’s still valid, anytime, Estella. I’ll be there for you!"

With my last ounce of strength, I gave the address before slipping into unconsciousness.