Chapter 0003

“You said someone was trying to kill you, right? Just wanted to check if you’re still alive,” Hunter’s voice oozed with sarcasm.

Mia instinctively tightened her grip on the phone, replying slowly and firmly, “I’m tougher than you think. I’m not dead yet.”

She hung up and blocked his number in one swift motion.

*

Meanwhile, in a VIP suite at Genesis Corporation Hospital, Jenna lay in bed, her skin ghostly pale. She looked so fragile, like a breeze could knock her over.

Hunter held his phone, his expression dark and unreadable.

Nervously, Jenna asked, “Hunter, is Mia okay?”

Hunter tucked his phone away. “She’s fine.”

Jenna silently cursed Mia but kept her tone soft and sweet. “You should go home and be with her. The doctors and nurses have everything under control here, so don’t worry about me.”

Hunter’s expression stayed indifferent. “Get some sleep. I’ll stay here with you tonight.”

Jenna was thrilled on the inside but kept her face hesitant. “If you don’t go home, Mia will definitely complain to your grandfather tomorrow. His health isn’t good, and he can’t afford the stress.”

“Stop talking and go to sleep.”

Jenna bit her lip, her eyes locked on him. “You’re really staying with me tonight?”

“Yeah, now get some rest.”

*

The next morning, Mia woke up to find Summer fuming beside her. “Why are you so mad this early?” Mia asked, confused.

Summer handed her the phone. “Ugh! That shameless Jenna paid to get herself trending!”

Mia glanced at the screen. The headline read, “Shocking! Famous Dancer Rumored to be Pregnant, Fiancé Seen at Her Side.”

She clicked on the post, and there was a photo of Jenna’s ultrasound and Hunter carrying her out of Serenity Cove.

What stood out the most was the limited-edition watch on Hunter’s wrist. There was only one like it in all of Haven City, and it belonged to him.

Mia’s eyes stung, and her heart felt like it was being sliced with a dull blade, the pain overwhelming.

Even though she had already decided to divorce Hunter, it still hurt. She had loved him for nine long years. She couldn’t just turn feelings like that off overnight.

Seeing the pain on Mia’s face, Summer hit herself in frustration. “I’m so sorry, Mia! I forgot you’re pregnant. I shouldn’t have shown you this!”

Before Mia could respond, her phone rang.

Seeing an unfamiliar number, she hesitated to answer, but worried it might be a client, she picked it up.

As soon as Mia answered, Hunter’s angry voice boomed through the phone. “Mia, just because I stayed at the hospital with Jenna last night, you decided to pay to make her look bad? Don’t you think that’s going too far?!”

Mia fought to keep her emotions in check, her voice cold. “It wasn’t me.” She had no interest in using such underhanded tactics to bring Jenna down.

“Go make a public statement right now. Say you pushed the story because you were mad at me. If you do that, I’ll agree to the divorce!” His voice was cold and heartless.

Mia’s eyes burned with tears as she struggled to hold it together. “Hunter, are you out of your mind? You didn’t even bother asking me before blaming me and demanding I make a statement? Are you trying to ruin me?!”

If she admitted to paying to spread rumors about Jenna, she wouldn’t just face being fired from the law firm. Jenna would also have grounds to sue her for defamation.

By the end of the day, she would be a public disgrace, chased out of every corner of the city.

The top divorce lawyer in Haven City would be nothing more than a laughingstock.

Hunter Jasper was truly ruthless!

“The only person who knew Jenna was pregnant was you, and now her ultrasound is all over the news this morning. If it wasn’t you, then who?” Hunter sneered, his voice full of accusation.

Mia fought through the heartache and replied coldly, “How many people know about her pregnancy is something only Jenna would know. Hunter, I didn’t do this! If you’re looking for someone to blame, it’s not going to be me!”

As for the car accident last night and the trending news this morning, Mia was certain Jenna had orchestrated it all herself.

Now they wanted her to take the fall? No way!

“Mia, you better do what I say, or your best friend’s studio will be shut down, and your grandmother’s treatment will stop immediately!” Hunter’s words were like a knife twisting in her chest.

He wasn’t just threatening her. He was attacking everything she cared about.

And Hunter was ruthless enough to follow through.

“I’ll give you until noon to decide,” he said before hanging up.

Mia gripped her phone tightly, her eyes welling up with tears.

Summer, seeing her try to stay strong, was overcome with emotion. She pulled Mia into a hug, laughing through her tears, while secretly making a difficult decision in her heart.

Wiping away her tears, Summer gently pushed Mia back and said seriously, “Mia, go freshen up. I’m heading to the studio.”

Mia nodded. “Go ahead. If you get busy, don’t worry about coming back.”

Summer’s jewelry design studio had recently taken on several big clients, so Mia didn’t want to get in the way of her work.

“Alright, see you later.” Summer hugged Mia one more time before heading out.

Mia had just finished breakfast when her phone rang. Seeing Sam Wilson’s number on the screen, she suddenly felt a wave of anxiety.

She took a deep breath and answered.

Summer’s furious voice blasted through the phone, “Hunter, you despicable jerk! If you want to go after someone, come after me! Leave Mia out of this! Last night she almost—”

Mia’s heart raced in panic, and she quickly cut in, “Put Hunter on the phone!”

“Please hold,” Sam said. A moment later, Hunter’s cold voice came through the line, “You ordered your friend to attack Jenna. I’ve already called the police. You can explain yourself to them.”

Mia’s heart sank at the mention of the police. She steadied herself and spoke carefully, “If you really believe I’m responsible, then let Summer go. I’ll go to the station with you.”

She knew exactly how ruthless Hunter could be when he wanted to be.

Taking the blame herself would be worth it if it meant Summer could avoid the fallout. Otherwise, Hunter would destroy her little studio in no time. That studio was Summer’s passion and life’s work. If it was ruined, she would be devastated.

Hunter let out a cold laugh. “Fine, we’ll do it your way.” He tossed the phone back to Sam. “Let her go. You’ll pick up Mia and take her to the station.”

Summer panicked when she heard that. “Mia was in a car accident last night! She’s still in the hospital. You can’t take her to the station!”

She had thought about telling Hunter that Mia was pregnant, but now she decided against it. With someone as heartless as Hunter, if he found out Mia was pregnant, he might even force her to terminate the baby.