Running Away Pregnant

At my three-year anniversary dinner with Vincent Hartwell, his secretary deliberately poured red wine over my head. I finally reached my breaking point and slapped her in front of all the guests.

That very night, the incident spread like wildfire through high society circles. When my mother saw the leaked bedroom photographs of the two of them, the shock triggered a heart attack. She collapsed and died on the spot.

When I learned the news, I sank to the floor and cried all night. Meanwhile, Vincent stayed by his secretary's side, comforting her.

When he came home, he brushed past my disheveled state without a glance, loosened his tie, and spoke in that careless tone of his. "I've already buried the story. Don't let it happen again.

"I have a meeting tonight. Pull yourself together and get to the villa within thirty minutes. Madison needs you."

As he walked toward the door, he added over his shoulder, "She's fragile right now because of the pregnancy. If you do anything to harm my only child, I won't forgive you."

I listened without crying or arguing. However, after he left, I pulled the divorce agreement from my drawer that I had prepared weeks ago. Beneath it lay my own positive pregnancy test.

'Vincent, I'll leave to find my biological father in three days.'

This time, I was really leaving. I would make sure my father paid for every grievance I had endured over the last few years.

[Eloise's Point of View.]

Before Vincent Hartwell left, he emphasized once again, "Madison likes mild food. Remember to cater to her palate.

"When you go into her room, make sure you're quiet. She values her peace and doesn't like being disturbed."

I had not heard Vincent say this many words in a long time. Ever since Madison Laurent appeared in our lives, his conversations with me never exceeded five words.

I listened with a blank expression, the light in my eyes dimming further.

He tossed a globally limited edition bag onto the couch carelessly.

"Madison is kindhearted and won't hold grudges, but you must apologize to her properly. This is your compensation."

I stared at the bag for a long time, my tone devoid of emotion. "Vincent, Mom is dead, and it's because of us. She was so upset that it killed her."

His hand paused as he loosened his tie, then he laughed softly. "Eloise, you've been spouting more and more nonsense lately. She came to see you three days ago and looked perfectly healthy, didn't she?"

Before I could respond, he turned and walked toward the door. As he passed me, his steps halted. "Don't blame me for being cruel. If you want to blame somebody, blame your own useless body."

Then, he pinched my tear-stained face and chuckled lightly, his tone casual. "Be good and obedient. Once she has the baby, everything that belongs to you will come back to you."

After those words, he turned and left. The moment the door