The Real Heroine of His Proposal

"Marie!"

Charlie's expression changed instantly. He shoved me aside roughly and rushed over to help her up.

"It's bad enough that you're throwing a tantrum at me, Isabel, but how could you hurt her when she's pregnant? What if something happens to her?"

Tears welled up in Marie’s eyes as she tried to defend me.

"Don't be mad at Isabel, Mr. Grant. I was the one who tripped… This is my fault…"

The more she spoke, the darker Charlie's face became.

"Apologize to her, Isabel!"

"She was the one who pretended to fall."

I almost lost my footing when he pushed me, but I managed to steady myself.

"I never touched her. That whole fall was just an act."

Charlie’s jaw tightened.

"Are you saying she's using her unborn child to frame you? You're about to be a mother too. Do you think that's something she’d do?"

I looked at him, stunned by how fiercely he was defending her.

"I already told you last night. We're breaking up. What right do you have to demand anything from me?"

Charlie's face fell. Anger flared in his eyes.

"Isabel Langdon! What right do you have to break up with me?

"Let me make this clear. From now on, you're responsible for all of Marie’s hospital checkups.

"And don’t forget that my company is working on a major contract with Sarah’s company. She's your friend. You wouldn’t want her to lose the deal and all the money she’s already invested, would you?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

"Are you threatening me?"

He didn’t even blink.

"You threatened me first.

"Besides, I’ve taken care of you for years. I gave you everything you have. You don’t get to leave unless I say so."

His words stabbed straight through my heart like knives.

Charlie was the one who made me resign so I could focus on the pregnancy.

He had taken care of me for a year.

And now, he was using that against me, even forcing me to care for his mistress and her unborn child.

What a sick joke.

It was beyond humiliating.

I clutched the abortion report tightly in my hand and looked straight into his cold, emotionless eyes.

"Fine."

Marie glanced at me with mock concern, the corners of her lips curling in smug satisfaction.

"Isabel is still pregnant. Wouldn’t it be too hard on her body to handle so much work?"

"Don’t worry. She’s in good health," Charlie replied indifferently.

He handed me all of Marie’s appointments, tests, and hospital paperwork.

"Don’t miss a single one."

I said nothing.

I just got to work. I ran between the hospital departments, helping Marie complete every checkup.

My body was still fragile. I had just gone through an abortion. Every step was agony.

By evening, I had completed everything.

I handed the final reports to Charlie and collapsed onto a chair in exhaustion, drenched in cold sweat.

Then I heard someone scream.

"Blood! Oh my god—she’s bleeding!"

Everyone turned toward me.

I looked down, dazed.

Warm blood was streaming down my legs. My pants were soaked in red.

The bleeding wouldn’t stop. I was bleeding from the abortion.

A sharp pain tore through my abdomen like a blade. My vision dimmed.

Just before I passed out, I heard Charlie’s panicked voice shouting my name.

"Isabel…!"