Chapter 1
Eight months pregnant, I walked into my husband, Blake Ashford’s office to drop off documents.[]
The second I reached for the AC in that 104–degree heat, his secretary, Claire, blocked me.]]
“Harper, I’m on my period and freezing. Can’t turn that on.” “0
Worried about heatstroke killing my baby, I flipped the switch anyway.]
That night, Blake stormed home ready for war: “Claire’s period cramps were so bad from your AC that she’s in the ICU!“]
“Are you KIDDING me? I’ve had periods too! And heatstroke would’ve killed us BOTH!“[]
Blake forced a smile and nodded: “You’re right. My bad.”
That night, he held me close like always, whispering sweet lies until I fell asleep.
But I woke up trapped in a glass freezer, surrounded by his rich brat friends laughing like hyenas.]]
Blake had his arm around Claire’s waist, grinning at me through the glass:[]
Afraid of overheating? Time to COOL OFF!“[]
My heart sank, but I stayed ice–cold, snapped photos of every single one of these psychos.]
Then I made the call: “Dad, it’s time to end ALL of them.“[]
-0
The second I hung up, the crowd went dead silent for a beat.]
Then they EXPLODED into laughter.[]
“Harper, your dad’s been feeding the sharks for six months! You losing your mind in there, or just plain stupid?”
“Right? Still thinks she’s some Winston princess? Even my wildest dreams aren’t that crazy!“]
Blake’s eyes lit up with satisfaction, watching his lackeys tear me apart. He draped his fur coat over Claire’s shoulders, pulled her close, and strutted up to my glass prison.
His finger tapped against the glass, slow and deliberate.]
“Cold yet, Harper? Ready to admit you screwed up?“[]
The massive red thermometer showed they’d cranked this freezer down to negative 58 degrees.
I was shivering violently in the flimsy nightgown I’d worn to bed, my skin turning blue–black wherever it touched the frozen floor. Sharp, stabbing pain shot through every nerve ending where the cold had numbed me.[]
I stumbled toward Blake and Claire, slamming my fist against the glass.
“What did I do WRONG, Blake?! Turning on AC in 104–degree heat is NORMAL! Pregnant women overheat easily–heatstroke could’ve killed us BOTH!“[]
Sudden fury made my belly cramp. I doubled over, clutching my belly.]
My eyes burned red as I glared at Blake.[]
“Let me OUT! You know what I went through for this baby. I CAN’T lose him!“]
Something flickered in Blake’s eyes. He knew better than anyone what this pregnancy had cost me.
e.]
Still Think My Daddy’s Dead? Try Explaining Your Ruined Empire Now, Ex
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Eight months of careful bed rest, protecting every precious day]
He once broke a maid’s arm just for bringing me lukewarm brown sugar water.
But now he’d thrown me in a freezer without hesitation–all for Claire’s fake period []
Bitterness flooded my throat. Before I could speak, Claire suddenly ripped off the fur coat Blake had just given her]
Tears streaming down her face, she sobbed, “Blake, let her out! She’s so delicate, she can’t handle this. Not like me–1 grew up poor, used to suffering in silence even when freezing AC made me faint…“]]
Faint? I’d only run the AC for thirty minutes! When I left Blake’s office, Claire was laughing with her friends, making plans to hit the club that night.]
I opened my mouth to set the record straight, but Blake’s face went ice–cold.]
“Get in there and strip off her clothes! She thinks she’s so delicate? Today she learns what REAL suffering feels like!“]]
He picked up the coat, gently wrapping it around Claire while staring at me with pure hatred.]
“You’ll stay in there until you admit you’re wrong! The doctor said my son’s perfectly healthy – don’t even THINK about using him as an excuse!“[]
With that, he swept Claire into his arms, his voice dripping with affection:[]
“Baby, your feet can’t get cold during your period. Stay in my arms today. I dare anyone to say shit about it.“[]
