Chapter 3 Abort The Child

They don't have a clue what I have been through, but they are all eager to judge me," Astrid clenched her fist and thought bitterly. She could feel the weight of condemnation pressing down on her.

Her gaze finally landed on Riven, her husband. His jaw tightened and he wore a cold expression, his eyes filled with disdain.

Astrid sighed in disappointment, murmuring, "Hell... everyone..." with a bitter smile playing on her lips.

Eira broke the silence, her tone filled with mock concern, "Older sister, it's been three days since you left the house. We were all worried. At least you could have called us.

Old Lady Slade's tone was filled with disdain, "You really have no shame. I don't understand why my son chose you. A married woman disappearing for three days without a word?"

Aurora, Riven's sister, added, "Are you finally showing your true colors? After killing my brother, you pretended to be a saint. Now you can't keep up the act and have gone off seeking pleasure elsewhere."

Astrid clenched her fist involuntarily, her eyes turning icy. These people were spouting nonsense, oblivious to what she had endured.

She glanced at her parents, disappointment filling her gaze. The only one who seemed concerned was her father.

Vincent's heart tightened as he met his daughter’s eyes; the disappointment in them was too much to ignore. He swallowed hard before asking, "Astrid… where have you been these past few days? Are you alright?"

Astrid let out a sigh of relief; at least there was one sensible person among these so-called elders.

"I was in the hospital..." She paused and waited for their reactions. She was hoping they would ask what happened next so she could elaborate.

“Is that so?" Riven raised his eyebrow with a hint of doubt in his tone.

“I was feeling severe abdominal pain." Astrid tried to explain, looking straight into his eyes.

Eira's tone was soft and sweet. “Older sister, that’s not what I heard. I heard you have a rich lover who drives an expensive car. A friend even sent me a picture of him carrying you the night you left.” She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Astrid was taken aback, a slight frown forming on her face. Her expression quickly shifted to one of coldness. “Really? But I clearly remember calling my husband for help three days ago. It was around 11 PM, and you were the one who answered.”

Eira remained calm, blinking innocently. “My dear sister, I met your husband at the club. He was drunk because I accidentally showed him the photo of the man who carried you.”

She paused, glancing at Riven. “Right, brother-in-law?”

Riven nodded. “Right. I saw the picture of the man who carried you to his car. You looked so comfortable in his arms. How could you do this to me, Astrid?” His voice was filled with disappointment.

He took a deep breath and continued, “Even after you killed my brother, I still believed in you and went through with the marriage. As if that wasn’t enough, you cheated on me and were even pregnant with him. Isn’t that too much?” He said and threw some documents in front of her.

The document showed her pregnancy report.

“What!” The family members gasped in shock.

“You… you know—” Astrid stammered, her mouth agape as she pointed at him in disbelief.

She pondered, ‘How did they know and why are they twisting the truth?’

“This isn't what happened,” she frowned and was amazed at how they came up with such tactics.

Vincent stood frozen for a moment. Shock and disbelief ran through him. The words that came next were bitter, laced with anger. “You disgrace this family. How dare you humiliate us?”

Old Lady Slade threw her stick at Astrid and exclaimed, “I don’t know what else you’ll bring to this family. Are you a witch?” The old lady was visibly agitated.

Her mother, Freya Carson, eyes filled with disappointment as she shook her head slowly. “I’m so disappointed in you, Astrid.”

Astrid’s mouth remained open in shock; her father's reaction was even something she had never imagined.

She clenched her jaw, her tone flat. “You all believed in their lies. I won't even bother to explain. And let me tell you, Riven,” she pointed at him, “this child is yours whether you believe it or not.”

Turning her gaze to her father, she spoke with disappointment. “Even you, Dad, don’t believe me. You’re believing something that has no evidence.”

Eira’s expression turned thoughtful, her voice sweet. “I’m not trying to make you look bad… But this is the evidence.” She pulled up her phone, swiped through her gallery, and showed the family the picture.

“Tsk, tsk, a slut will forever be a slut,” Aurora said with disdain.

Astrid snatched the phone from her. ‘The picture seems authentic, but she has no idea how it came about.’ She was still confused.

“This has nothing to do with me,” she clenched her jaw.

Riven's tone was chilly and final. “That bastard won't be born into this family. I won't tolerate any shame.” Riven’s expression was clear.

“Hell no.” Astrid placed her hands on her stomach, her voice protective as she stepped back.

Freya agreed. “Your husband is right. You can’t bring any more disgrace to the family.”

“Mother!” Her lips trembled as she called out to her. The tears she had been holding back began to flow like a broken dam.

“Father,” she said, her blue eyes piercing like the bright sky, staring at him, hoping he would save her.

The room felt like she was a foreigner. None of them felt familiar to her. Even her biological parents. The environment became strange to her, and she even wondered if her parents were the people she had grown up with.

They had changed ever since Eira arrived.

Vincent shifted his gaze, looking away. His daughter had truly disappointed him. He couldn’t keep spoiling her.

Eira smirked coldly. This was what she wanted. So what if you came from a second-tier family? So what if you are the elder daughter of the Carson family?

You will lose everything, everything you took from me since childhood.

“Older sister, this is the best. At least consider us okay. Do it for our sake." Eira was like a caring sister who genuinely cared for her older sister. Her tone was calm, but Astrid could see the coldness in her tone.

"Guards!" Riven suddenly shouted to the guard stationed outside.

"No, I won't allow it." Astrid attempted to flee the scene, but Eira stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“It turns out, you have already planned everything out. I won't let you succeed.” Astrid said with determination. She wondered why she didn't see guards when she was entering. Maybe they were not in.

“I’ll take legal action if you make me terminate this pregnancy."

Riven smirked, stepping closer to her as he said, “And with what authority?”

Right, what authority did she have? Even her own family had turned their backs on her.

“I won’t let that happen," Astrid declared with fierce resolve.

As she stood her ground for her child, the guards burst in, their heavy boots echoing like soldiers preparing for battle.

Riven commanded, "Take the woman to the hospital.”