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Chapter 6

Author: Blanc Ball
Phoebe fell seriously ill. A relentless fever burned through her, and no matter what she ate, it came back up.

"A bunch of useless doctors," Nathan snapped. "I paid you all this money, and you can't even bring down a simple fever?" If the butler hadn't been holding him back, he might have struck someone.

"Madam is pregnant," the doctor explained, his face tight with helplessness. "Most medications aren't safe, and your parents specifically instructed us to avoid using medicine. Right now, the best approach is through dietary therapy to strengthen her body, but she can't keep anything down."

Nathan carried a bowl of porridge to her bedside. He took her hand, his usual coldness replaced by something raw and pleading. "Phoebe, please. For me, for our child, eat something. Just a little, okay?"

Phoebe turned her face away without a word.

In just a few days, she had become a shadow of herself. Her skin was pale, her cheeks sunken, and her once graceful frame had thinned alarmingly. Only her swollen belly remained—a jarring contrast to the rest of her frail body.

"Phoebe, what's wrong?" Nathan's voice trembled as his eyes reddened. "What happened? Can you tell me?"

She wanted to know, too. What had gone so wrong? How had their perfect, happy marriage turned into this?

Why had the man who once loved her so deeply become a liar the moment she got pregnant?

Who could give her an answer?

"Phoebe, I'm begging you," he said, his composure cracking as he pulled her into his arms. "If you'll just eat, I'll do anything you want. I can't lose you or our child. If anything happens to either of you, I'll lose my mind."

Phoebe forced herself upright. He was right—she couldn't die now. If she did, until her last breath, she would still be his wife.

She no longer wanted that. She wanted to leave him.

Suppressing the nausea rising in her throat, she picked up the bowl and took a sip of the porridge.

Seeing her finally eat, Nathan's face lit up with relief. "Phoebe, you're eating! What else do you want? I'll have the kitchen make it for you—no, I'll cook it myself!"

But before his words had fully settled, Phoebe bent forward and vomited everything back up.

Her body was too weak. Even when she forced herself to eat, nothing stayed down. Within a minute, it all came back out.

Left with no choice, Nathan took her to the hospital for observation.

But even after being admitted, her condition remained dire. The attending physician, brows furrowed with worry, gave him a grim assessment. "Mr. Marshal, your wife is not in a condition to continue the pregnancy. If she does, both mother and child will be at serious risk."

"I recommend delivering early," the doctor continued. "Although it's still risky at this stage, the safest window is after six and a half to seven months. We can attempt a cesarean section then."

"Will that endanger Phoebe?" Nathan's voice was tight with panic.

"Our recommendation is based on her current health," the doctor said. "Once the baby is delivered, we can focus entirely on treating her without worrying about complications from the pregnancy."

"Then do it," Nathan said without hesitation. "Get that little brat out of her as soon as possible. How dare he make Phoebe suffer like this? I'll make him pay for it when he grows up—I swear I will."

A nearby nurse, moved by his words, leaned toward Phoebe and whispered, "Your husband loves you so much. Most men, when they come in with their wives for checkups, only care about the baby. And that's if they bother to come at all. Many women have to go through this alone."

"But look at your husband," she added softly. "He cares about you more than anything. He's willing to deliver the baby at six months just to spare you any more pain."

Phoebe smiled faintly but said nothing.

Pregnancy was supposed to be a sacred, joyous experience, the miracle of bringing new life into the world. But why, then, was it filled with so much suffering—for her and for so many others like her?
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    Phoebe had no intention of keeping the baby.Quietly, she reached out to her brother. Under his arrangement, she transferred to another hospital."Phoebe, why the sudden transfer?" Nathan asked, confusion in his voice. "You're scheduled for a C-section soon. Isn't it risky to change hospitals now?""My brother arranged it," Phoebe replied coolly. "He said the doctors here work directly with the military. They're more reliable."Nathan's doubts eased. "If it's your brother's recommendation, it should be fine."Phoebe's brother had always been the authority figure in their family. Nathan trusted his judgment without question.The transfer proceeded smoothly.The new hospital's plan remained the same—an early delivery. The surgery was scheduled for the following day.Nathan cleared his schedule. He moved into the hospital to stay by Phoebe's side."You don't have to do this," Phoebe said flatly. "You're busy. It's okay if you're not here for this."The truth was, she didn't want

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 8

    "Mr. Marshal, your wife has suddenly developed a high fever and lost consciousness. We can't wake her up." The doctor, following Phoebe's instructions, called Nathan. His voice was tense over the phone. "For her safety, we have no choice but to perform the C-section ahead of schedule. Where are you? You should come immediately.""...What? The surgery is early?" Nathan's breathing sounded unsteady. "...Okay, wait for me. I'll be there right away."At the same time, Phoebe made a video call to Clara and pressed record. As expected, Clara answered."Master, you wouldn't leave me now, would you?" Her voice was soft and sweet, dripping with feigned innocence. "We just started the foreplay. We haven't even gotten to the good part yet.""I don't have time. Phoebe is about to give birth. I need to be with her." Nathan hurriedly pulled on his clothes."You're not a doctor. What good will you do there?" Clara stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his neck. "What she needs now is a doctor

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 9

    The plane pierced through the clouds, disappearing into the pitch-black night.Meanwhile, Nathan finally rolled off Clara. After two exhausting hours, the fire raging inside him had burned out, leaving him feeling thoroughly satisfied. Yet beneath that satisfaction, a faint trace of guilt lingered.It was one thing to cheat on his wife on an ordinary day, but tonight—of all nights—was the day Phoebe was supposed to have her C-section. Everyone said giving birth was like stepping through death's door, but while she was walking that edge, he had failed to resist temptation.The more he thought about it, the more he felt like a bastard.But what else was he supposed to do? He was a man with needs. Phoebe had been sick for weeks, and he'd stayed by her side the whole time, with no opportunity to find relief elsewhere. He had held it in for an entire week—any longer, and he would have exploded.Better to release than to suppress. The more you hold it in, the more you want it. Letting i

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 10

    After saying his piece, Nathan turned and walked away.Clara sat on the floor, her clothes in disarray, trembling with helpless rage. Her heart burned with resentment, but there was nothing she could do.The moment he left, Nathan rushed to the operating room.But when he arrived, the surgery had long since ended. The large, sterile room was empty except for a few nurses tidying up. Phoebe and the doctors were nowhere to be seen.A wave of confusion washed over him. What was going on? Where was Phoebe? Where was the baby?"Nurse," he called out, forcing down his panic. "The doctor called me earlier and said my wife was having surgery here. Where is she? Where's my child? And where are the doctors who performed the surgery?"The nurse glanced at him without much interest and snorted. "You must be Phoebe's husband. The surgery ended three hours ago. What took you so long to get here?"Nathan couldn't exactly admit he had been tangled up with his mistress, so he offered the first e

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    To be honest, Nathan's lies were not just clumsy, they were riddled with holes.The signal in the hospital corridor was indeed poor, but the VIP ward had Wi-Fi. If he truly needed the internet, there was no need to go downstairs. He could have simply walked to the ward next to the operating room and connected to the Wi-Fi there.And foreigners were still human beings, not cold-blooded monsters. In any humane country, no one would force a man to leave his wife while she was in labor just to attend a meeting.Kenses was a developed nation, one that placed great value on family. Something like that would never happen there.Ian listened quietly to Nathan's lies. For a moment, he had the urge to rush forward and punch the bastard in the face.But he held back.There would be a time for that punch—but not now."Ian, I know I was wrong," Nathan said, lowering his stance, his voice filled with a practiced sincerity. "You can hit me, you can scold me—I deserve it. But please, I'm beggin

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 12

    At that moment, Nathan wanted nothing more than to see Phoebe. But when his eyes met Ian's cold, unyielding face, he swallowed the words back down.To be honest, he was a little afraid of his brother-in-law.Maybe it was because of his military background, but Ian carried an aura of authority that left no room for argument. Nathan had spent years navigating the business world, dealing with all kinds of cunning and ruthless people, but even he couldn't shake the pressure that Ian's presence exerted."I'll go back and start preparing," Nathan said, softening his tone. "If Phoebe wakes up, please tell her that I love her and I'm waiting at home. I'll be there, no matter what." He laid it on thick—one last display of affection before leaving.Ian felt sick just watching him.Men who cheat always act the most devoted.In his experience, honest men rarely had much romantic finesse. Even if they liked someone, they were clumsy with their words, fumbling to express their feelings. It was

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    Bethany never liked Phoebe, but she still cared deeply about the child growing inside her.After all, this was her first grandchild. From the moment Phoebe became pregnant, Bethany had been waiting for the day she could finally hold her grandson in her arms.Nathan never mentioned the premature birth to his parents. He knew exactly how they would react if they found out. To them, nothing mattered more than the baby's well-being—certainly not Phoebe's health.Modern medicine had advanced enough to ensure premature babies could grow up healthy, but the older generation never trusted such claims. In their minds, a premature child would always be frail. Only babies born after a full-term pregnancy could be considered truly healthy. If the mother suffered in the process, that was a small price to pay for the child's future.Even when Phoebe's condition became critical, Nathan's parents would never have agreed to an early delivery. They would have insisted on giving her nutritional suppl

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    The black SUV rolled to a stop in front of the villa. The moment it parked, a crowd swarmed around it."They're here! The baby's finally home!""I heard it's a boy. He must be as handsome as Nathan!""The moment I knew Phoebe was pregnant, I had two gold bracelets made. Finally, I can give them to the baby!"Under the weight of their anticipation, the car door slowly opened. Ian stepped out, carrying a portable baby stroller. Inside lay Nathan's child.Excitement flickered in everyone's eyes, but Ian's presence was too imposing. No one dared approach, even though they were eager to catch a glimpse of the baby.In the end, it was Nathan who walked forward first."Ian, why are you alone? Where's Phoebe?" His voice trembled with urgency. "Didn't she come with you?"At this, Ian's lips curved into a faint smile—something rare for him. "Phoebe couldn't make it today," he said calmly. "She asked me to bring the baby instead.""Why couldn't she come?" Nathan's concern only deepened.

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    The words "death sentence" struck Bethany like a thunderclap. Her vision darkened, and she nearly fainted on the spot.Fortunately, Henry offered a glimmer of hope. If she was willing to spend enough money, there might still be a way to save Nathan."Mr. Specter, as long as you can get my son out, I'll pay whatever it takes," Bethany said hurriedly. "Even if I have to sell my house, I will save him!"Henry explained that the only way forward was to bribe a hospital into issuing a certificate declaring Nathan mentally ill. If they could prove he had a psychiatric disorder, the law would absolve him of criminal responsibility. Instead of being sentenced to prison, he would be confined to a psychiatric hospital."Once Nathan is admitted," Henry continued, "we'll find a way to get him out. But it will take a lot of money to smooth things over. If you want to save your son, start raising funds immediately."Without hesitation, Bethany rushed home and began selling everything she could.

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 23

    Blood covered Clara from head to toe, but Nathan showed no signs of stopping. His eyes burned crimson, and the way he struck her again and again, it was as if he meant to beat her to death right there on the street.In the end, it was only thanks to the hospital's security staff arriving in time that he was restrained. If they had been a moment later, Nathan might have killed her in his blind fury.But even though the security guards had intervened, the damage was already done. The crowd of onlookers had captured every brutal moment on their phones, and soon, the footage spread like wildfire across the internet.By nightfall, Nathan's name dominated the headlines again. This time, the news was even more sensational. [Nathan Marshal Loses Control, Beats Mistress in Public, Nearly Causes Fatality!]When the initial affair scandal broke, Larry had spent a fortune trying to suppress the news, hoping to contain the fallout. But before the dust had settled, this new video emerged and sur

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    Lately, Nathan's mind had been consumed by Phoebe. He had spent his days spiraling out of control outside the hospital, oblivious to the storm brewing online.It wasn't until he overheard the murmurs of passing strangers that he remembered something Ian had said before leaving. Something about uploading a video online.His heart sank. With trembling fingers, he pulled out his phone and searched. Sure enough, the video was everywhere.When Ian released the footage, he had blurred Phoebe's face and those of the doctors who performed her surgery. But Nathan and Clara? Their faces were laid bare for the world to see.The video detonated like a bomb, sending shockwaves through social media. Outraged viewers flooded the comment sections with condemnation.[I can't believe it. Nathan, the so-called 'Nation's Most Ideal Husband,' is actually this disgusting behind closed doors. I used to like him, but after seeing this, I feel like I swallowed a live cockroach.][I always knew he was a f

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    "Clara," Nathan said coldly. "You seemed pretty pleased with yourself in that video. Did you really think that once Phoebe left me, you could take her place and become my wife?"He laughed, the sound harsh and full of scorn. "Dream on. Why would I ever marry a cheap slut like you? In my eyes, you're no different from those women who sell themselves in nightclubs. I only slept with you a few times. Don't let it get to your head."Without warning, Nathan grabbed her by the throat. His fury burned hot and uncontrollable, and Clara had walked straight into the fire. He shoved her against the wall, his rage spilling over as his fists landed on her without mercy."You dared to provoke Phoebe?" he spat, his voice rough and venomous. "Who gave you the guts to do that? A filthy woman like you isn't even qualified to be compared to her. You're not worth a single toe of hers—comparing you to Phoebe is an insult to her."But hitting her wasn't enough to cool his anger. He grabbed a fistful of

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    Nathan rushed to the hospital the moment he could. In his naive assumption, Phoebe was still there, resting in a hospital bed. What he didn't know was that while he had been entangled with Clara, Phoebe had already boarded a flight to another country."Let me in! My wife is inside! I need to see her!" he shouted the moment he arrived, only to find himself in a heated argument with the security guards at the hospital gate.The hospital exclusively served the military and was not open to the public. Previously, Ian's influence had granted Nathan access, but now that privilege had been revoked. Without Ian's permission, the gates were firmly shut against him.Nathan tried to force his way inside, but the guards were not ordinary retirees. They were former soldiers—tall, broad, and thoroughly trained. If not for the hospital's strict policy against physical confrontation with civilians, they would have easily pinned him to the ground.When brute force failed, Nathan switched tactics.

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 19

    Larry and Bethany had far too much faith in their household staff.Ian and his men had all served in the military. Ordinary people didn't stand a chance against them. Ian didn't even lift a finger. With a simple gesture, one of his subordinates took down the entire group of servants as if they were nothing more than paper dolls.The flash drives remained in Ian's possession. Worse still, several guests had recorded the chaotic scene on their phones. Once those videos made their way online, the Marshal family's already crumbling reputation would be completely shattered.In the middle of the commotion, Ian drove off in his SUV, leaving nothing behind but a cloud of dust. Bethany, on the other hand, collapsed to the floor. Tears poured down her face as she wailed. "Oh, dear heavens, what are we going to do? The Harris family is trying to destroy us!""You disgraceful fool!" With Ian gone, Larry had no one left to vent his rage on but his own son. He marched over and struck Nathan ha

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    In that moment, Phoebe didn't record a video. She only captured Bethany's voice. After all, she had been there herself and couldn't aim the camera directly at Bethany. But the audio alone was explosive enough."Did I hear that right?" someone gasped. "Bethany actually suggested letting the mistress move into her son's home? What is she thinking? Is that something a sane person would do?""And she even lied to Phoebe, saying the mistress was Nathan's cousin… Seriously, what kind of mother does that?""Do you think Bethany believes that since Phoebe is pregnant and can't take care of her son, she should find a young and pretty mistress to do it instead?""What century is she living in? A mother-in-law bringing a mistress into the house while her daughter-in-law is pregnant—it's unbelievable. This whole family is insane!"When the video finally ended, the Marshal family had lost every shred of dignity they had left. But for Ian, this was only the beginning. He had no intention of let

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 17

    The moment Phoebe's tear fell, the camera shifted, zooming in on Nathan. At that exact time, he was in one of the VIP suites in the hospital, caught up in a steamy nurse role-play with Clara.The sight sent a ripple of fury through the crowd. Even Nathan's own relatives, usually inclined to defend him, couldn't help but curse him silently as a scumbag. The other guests, however, had no reservations about voicing their outrage aloud."My God, is Nathan even human? His wife is lying on the operating table giving birth, and he's out there fooling around with his mistress!""This is the so-called model husband? The city's beloved 'good man'? What a joke!""Disgusting! Now I understand why Phoebe chose to abort the baby. If it were me, I'd do the same. I'd never give birth to a child for a man like that."As the crowd's anger swelled, Bethany, unable to sit quietly any longer, spoke up to defend her son. "That video is obviously edited," she said. "Nathan made mistakes, but I know my s

  • One Too Many Red Flags   Chapter 16

    Every time Clara seduced Nathan, she would send a provocative text message to Phoebe, inviting her to watch their adultery.Her intention was simple—to provoke Phoebe, to push her over the edge. If luck was on her side, maybe the shock would cause Phoebe, with her heavily pregnant belly, to miscarry. And if, by some cruel twist of fate, Phoebe bled out and died on the operating table, well, that would be even better.What Clara didn't know was that every time she lured Phoebe to witness their entanglement, Phoebe would quietly take out her phone and record everything. What she also didn't know was that in the hospital where Ian had arranged for Phoebe to stay, every room was equipped with hidden surveillance cameras.The hospital wasn't open to the public. It served the military exclusively, and at that time, there were no injured soldiers occupying the rooms. Ian had anticipated Nathan's infidelity. He knew that while accompanying Phoebe during her hospital stay, Nathan wouldn't

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