Chapter 1 Brutal Misunderstanding

When I learned that my brother's five-year-old son, Danny Hopkins, had been diagnosed with leukemia, I didn't hesitate for a moment. I flew back home, six months pregnant, to undergo the compatibility test for a stem cell transplant.

This morning, my brother, Anthony Reey, drove me to the hospital to collect the results. If the test matched, I would be admitted to the hospital immediately, where I would stay until the baby was born to donate the umbilical cord blood that could save Danny's life.

"Rosa, ever since Danny got sick, neither your sister-in-law nor I have had a proper night's sleep.

"Danny is her whole world. If anything happens to him, I don't think she could go on.

"We're truly out of options now. The baby you're carrying is Danny's only hope."

Seeing the weariness on his face, I felt a pang of sorrow and immediately hugged him comfortingly. "Don't worry. I'm Danny's aunt. The match will definitely be successful."

Anthony gave me a grateful look, and after settling me down, he went to get the test results alone. I waited in the lobby to rest. Then, my husband called to check on me, and we chatted casually.

"Yes, I'm fine, and the baby is fine, too.

"Sweetheart, I miss you.

"Promise me you'll be here when the baby is born—"

Before I could finish my sentence, a woman stormed toward me with several others trailing behind her. She yanked my hair so hard that pain shot through my scalp. Desperately, I followed her pull while trying to protect my belly with trembling hands.

She shoved me into a bathroom stall, and my back slammed against the cold, damp wall. The chill seeped into my skin, sending shivers through me as fear gripped my heart.

Her face was twisted with rage, and her eyes burning with hatred.

"You mistress! My child is lying in a hospital bed, and you dare make my husband stay with you for your pregnancy?

"You think you can steal my man with your cheap tricks? I'll make sure you pay for this!"

'Steal her husband? What is she talking about?' I had no idea who she was. Since returning, I had only left my hotel room once for the compatibility test. I hadn't met or contacted any men!

"You must have the wrong person. I don't know you," I tried to explain.

"Wrong person? I saw it with my own eyes! My husband brought you to the hospital, and you dared to hug him in front of me! You came to this hospital on purpose, didn't you? You just want to rub it in my face, don't you?" she sneered. "I'm Lara Patkins, Anthony Reey's wife! No one ruins my family!"

I was shocked. Anthony was my brother, so the woman before me, Lara Patkins, was my sister-in-law!

Earlier, when Anthony brought me to the hospital, we did act a bit close. This was something Lara must have accidentally seen. Later, when she overheard my phone call, she mistook me for Anthony's mistress and assumed that I was on the phone with him, which led to the misunderstanding.

The women behind her egged her on. "Don't let her off, Lara! Mistresses deserve to die!"

"I'm not a mistress. My name is Rosa Re—" I tried to explain, but before I could finish, I was kicked hard in the back of my knees. My knees hit the cold, hard floor. One of the women grabbed my hair and shoved my head into the toilet.

The foul water splashed into my eyes and nose, leaving me choking as panic set in. My head was buzzing, and I felt a sense of suffocation, but I didn't dare to struggle because I was afraid of hurting my baby. The umbilical cord blood of the child in my belly was the only hope for my nephew Danny.

Finally, they grabbed my hair and lifted me out of the water. The ice-cold water, mixed with the stench, left me shivering as I gasped for air. My entire body felt as if the blood had frozen in my veins.

I tried to steady my breathing, but before I could regain my senses, a slap landed hard across my face. The ringing in my ears was deafening, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as I felt my lip split open.

I had been so careful throughout my pregnancy and was afraid of anything that might harm this precious life inside me. I wrapped my arms protectively around my stomach, trembling, but Lara grabbed my hand and put it onto the toilet lid. Then, she hit it brutally with a stick.

"Aah!" The pain was searing, and I couldn't hold back the scream that tore from my throat.

Her eyes remained cold and unyielding. "Does it hurt? Good. You should know the price of being a mistress!"

Suddenly, she pulled out a utility knife from somewhere and gripped my chin. "This is nothing. The real pain is coming!" she hissed.

My eyes locked onto the sharp blade, and I shook my head in despair. I had mentioned my name earlier, but she showed no reaction. Obviously, she clearly didn't recognize the name Rosa Reey. What on earth should I do?

She held the knife close. "Mistresses and their children deserve to die."

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and I heard Anthony's voice.

"Rosa, are you in there?"

"Anthony!" I tried to shout.