Chapter 3 - Get Rid of That Baby

"Madam, we advise you to inform your husband about your illness and pregnancy. We need testimony from your relatives to proceed with the major brain operation."

Upon regaining consciousness from fainting, the first thing I noticed was three doctors surrounding my patient's bed. It seemed that my condition had worsened, and they couldn't make any decisions due to my pregnancy.

"My husband doesn't want this baby," I said to the doctor attending to my IV. "And we've already separated. He has nothing to do with me anymore."

As I said that, my heart ached terribly. But the pain turned into shock when I saw my mother rushing into the operating room in great haste. Her face was pale, filled with anxiety. She immediately hugged me upon realizing I was awake.

"Belle! Why didn't you tell me!?" My mother cried in my embrace. I glanced at the doctor beside me for reassurance. Luckily, they hadn't informed anyone about my illness, including my mother.

"I heard you're pregnant and being divorced by Mattheo, is that true, my daughter?" my mother asked. "That outrageous man! How could he divorce his wife while she's carrying his child!"

"Mother, please," I said, trying to calm her. "He divorced me because our company went bankrupt. So this is all my fault."

"Bankrupt? What nonsense! We only experienced a stock decline!" she exclaimed incredulously. "But it's good that you're divorced. Because I will match you with a young CEO. He's willing to take care of our company. So you can get your revenge on that damn Mattheo!"

"What?" I replied in disbelief at her sudden statement. "Mother, I love Mattheo! How could you arrange my marriage without my knowledge? Cancel that wedding!"

Not long after, the young CEO my mother mentioned came to meet me in this operating room. When I saw his face, I felt thrown back to a past where I once loved someone ten years ago.

Because the man my mother wanted me to marry turned out to be my ex-lover, Luke Davis! I couldn't believe it, how did he find me here!?

"I want you to marry Luke Davis and get rid of your pregnancy," my mother ordered. "Forget about Mattheo. He has hurt you. Now it's your turn to get revenge on him."

"Mother! Wait! Listen to me first!"

Too late. My mother had already left, leaving me alone with Luke Davis here.

"Could you please leave?" I mocked, addressing the man in the black suit sitting next to my bed with a smile on his face that irritated me.

"I'll tell you one thing. I'm not interested in marrying a man who's become my past. So it's better to cancel that wedding," I continued. I wasn't even interested in giving him a chance to speak.

"Is that so?" he replied casually as if belittling my words. "Even though I'm willing to help you get revenge on Mattheo?"

I was taken aback by his words. "What did you say?"

"Regarding your illness and pregnancy, I already know everything. You don't have much time, do you?" he replied. Standing up, he took a seat beside my bed.

"If you marry me, I'll take you to the best hospital for your treatment. Not only that, I'll make Mattheo and his family suffer, for betraying you. How about it? Not a bad deal, is it?"

'What is this? After 10 years of disappearing from my life, now he wants to help me get revenge. It's very suspicious,' I thought, refusing to be brainwashed by him.

"Forget it," I rejected, pushing his hand away from me roughly. "I love Mattheo. Even though he divorced me, I'll find a way to make him accept me again. It's not too late for this!"

"Madam, your husband has arrived," a nurse came in and opened the door for the unexpected visitor.

Mattheo came in holding Natalia's hand. Like newlyweds, they were so happy to visit me, even bringing me a bouquet. On the ring finger of my step-sister's sweet hand, there was a very beautiful diamond ring.

I didn't even get a ring during my marriage to Mattheo. Seeing him holding another woman's hand, even though we were not officially divorced, really hurt me to death.

"Belle, sign this divorce paper now. Natalie and I will soon marry. But we can't marry if you're not divorced from me," he said, handing me our divorce petition.

'Oh God. Can't he wait for me to leave the hospital? He didn't even ask about my condition! How cruel of him to divorce me while I'm sick, while he's already holding my step-sister's hand!' I thought, deeply hurt.

"Hurry up, you damn woman. Can't you see I'm in a hurry?" He shouted at me for moving so slowly. Yet I was weak and sick. And by busy, he meant he wanted to leave with my step-sister immediately.

"Here. I've signed it," I said, handing over our divorce papers reluctantly. "Mattheo, can't we postpone this divorce until I recover? I want to talk to you—"

"Shut up! Don't think I'm willing to have a sickly wife like you," he snapped harshly. "And oh, who's the man next to you? Is he your lover? I knew it, you're just a whore. Don't tell me you're pregnant with his child?"

"What? This baby is yours, Mattheo!" I shouted in disbelief. "How could you accuse me when I love you so much!"

"You shut up!" he shouted again. "If that's indeed my child, then you better abort it. My marriage to Natalia is just around the corner. I don't want my marriage to be ruined because of that baby."

With his cruelty, he left me just like that. Natalia smiled and laughed seeing how pitiful I was lying on the bed, helpless. She was so satisfied as if all this was her plan to take Mattheo away from me.

"And one more thing." Mattheo suddenly stopped at the door, pointing at me. "You still owe me. Your father rejected me when I wanted to return the contract money. So in other words, you're still my slave now."

"You're my whore. Don't think just because of the divorce, I’ll let you be touched by another man.”