Chapter 4
I stayed on my knees in the flowerbed all night, nearly passing out when someone dragged me out.
Dazed, I fell into a familiar embrace.
Ivan sighed and wiped the mud from my face.
‘Jane, why are you so stubborn? You can’t have children anyway. I’m doing this for your own good.
“If you just accept the children, I’ll send Cathy away. We’ll go back to being the loving couple.”
I pushed him away coldly.
Seeing his shocked expression, I pulled out the divorce agreement I’d prepared long ago and gritted my teeth as I said, “Ivan, let’s get a divorce.”
Ivan stared at me in disbelief, his eyes cold and terrifying.
After a while, he snatched the papers, signed them, and threw them at my face.
“Jane, you’d better not regret this!”
I ignored his angry shout and picked up the divorce agreement, ready to leave.
But my phone started ringing nonstop..
I answered, hearing the nurse’s panicked voice.
“Ms. Jenkins, your mother is critically ill. Please come to the hospital.
right away!”
The phone slipped from my hand.
I couldn’t stand and collapsed to the floor.
A rare hint of concern flickered in Ivan’s eyes.
He helped me up, his voice trembling. “Jane, don’t worry. I’ll take you to the hospital right now.
Footsteps sounded behind us.
Cathy rushed out of the villa with disheveled hair.
She grabbed Ivan, crying in distress.
“Mr. Gibson, our children are missing!”
Before she could finish, she dropped to her knees in front of me, clutching my legs and begging.
“Jane, I was wrong. I really was!
“Do whatever you want to me, please give me back my children!”
Before I could speak, Ivan grabbed my neck.
“Tell me, where did you take my children?
“If anything happens to them, don’t expect to live.”
I collapsed on the floor, laughing through tears.
“You didn’t even ask and just assumed it was me?”
He ignored my words, glaring at me with rage.
“If it’s not you, then who else? Do you really think Cathy would harm her
own children?
“You won’t talk? Then I’ll make you feel what it’s like to lose someone you
love!”
He grabbed my hair and shoved me into the car, speeding to the hospital.
By the time we reached the ward, my mom had just been rescued.
Her body was full of tubes, barely breathing.
Ivan stormed over, eyes bloodshot, and pulled out her oxygen mask.
The alarms blared loudly, drowning out everything, almost shattering my sanity.
I tried to rush forward, but Ivan sneered and stepped on my hand.
The pain from my broken bones nearly knocked me out.
I bit my bleeding lips and begged him over and over.
“Please, don’t hurt my mom. She’ll die!
“Ivan, if you hate me, just kill me. Please, spare my mom. I’m begging you!”
My screams didn’t soften him at all.
I watched helplessly as my mom convulsed before my eyes.
How could it not hurt?
This was the husband I once fought to save, even with wounded fingers.
The marriage I’d fight for, even after losing my child and my mom.
But now, everything seemed so ridiculous!
In my despair, Cathy suddenly burst into the room.
She collapsed into Ivan’s arms, her voice choked with tears. “Mr. Gibson, the children have been found. I accidentally locked them in the basement.
“Jane’s mom ended up like this because of me. Will she ever forgive me?”
Ivan’s face was pale and conflicted, but his eyes showed no remorse when he looked at me.
“What’s there to be afraid of? Her mom’s as tough as she is, nothing’s going to happen.
“But you, you’re pregnant and so agitated, be careful not to hurt the baby.
“Fine. Once you safely give birth, I’ll bring her back.”
He didn’t look at me again, just picked up Cathy and left.
I crawled to my mom’s bedside, trembling as I tried to reattach the oxygen
tube.
But it was too late.
The heart monitor showed a flat line.
My mom, whom I had waited five years to see again, died right there in front of me.
After taking care of the funeral, I numbly made my way to the rooftop.
The man who once swore to protect me for life cruelly crushed my last bit. of hope.
I closed my eyes, ready to jump.
But someone pulled me into their arms.
11
Seeing who it was, I forced a bitter smile.
“Are you here to help me? Too bad you’re too late.”
His eyes suddenly welled up with tears.
“Jane, I owe you my life. Don’t you dare die without my permission!
“I’m taking you away now. No one will ever hurt you again.”
Two weeks later, Ivan rushed to the ward holding the newborn to pick me.
- up.
He pushed the door open, but the room was empty.
His heart sank.
The next moment, his assistant burst in, pale–faced.
“Mr. Gibson, I asked the doctors, Ms. Jenkins‘ mother passed away two weeks ago.
“And Ms. Jenkins… She’s gone missing!”
