Chapter 1

"No, not here…" Nina Abbott begged.

She was pressed against the dimly lit closet wall. From this angle, she couldn't see the man behind her—she could only feel his scorching palm against her softened waist.

Even though it wasn't the first time, she could never get used to it. Especially because the man behind her was, in name, her brother—Shane Lawson.

From siblings to lovers, the entire process was a nightmare she least wanted to recall. Yet, Shane made sure to remind her, over and over again, of the disgraceful relationship they had become entangled in.

Nina shut her eyes in shame and pain, but the next second, her jaw was seized. She was forced to lift her head.

"Open your eyes." Shane's voice was deep and commanding. He wanted her to endure everything with full awareness, leaving no room for escape.

Nina had no choice but to lower herself and plead, "Please… At least not at home—"

They were in the Lawson residence. Downstairs, Abigail Lindth and the others were still waiting. Nina didn't dare imagine the chaos that would unfold if they were ever discovered.

Shane leaned down, whispering in her ear, "This is your punishment."

Her legs gave out, and she slid to the floor.

Compared to her wretched state, Shane merely had a slightly disheveled appearance. With a casual adjustment, he was back to his usual cold and restrained demeanor—a man of unattainable nobility.

He was strikingly handsome, his features sculpted with precision, like an exquisite work of art. His dark eyes were chilling, with slightly downturned corners that carried an innate sense of subjugation when he wasn't smiling—intimidating enough that people dared not meet his gaze.

Nina kept her head down, exhausted from the ordeal.

But then, Shane spoke again, "Wendy and Yvan are getting engaged next month."

His tone was indifferent, yet each word felt like a heavy stone, blocking Nina's throat with unbearable bitterness. She couldn't speak. Even without looking up, she could feel Shane's gaze bearing down on her, filled with cruel scrutiny.

She couldn't afford to show any emotions. All she could give was a faint smile. "That's good."

After all, she and Yvan Smith were impossible now. She should have known this from the moment she and Shane first slept together three years ago.

Shane sneered. "Is that really what you think?"

This time, Nina genuinely smiled. "What else do you want me to do? Be Wendy's bridesmaid to prove I have no feelings for Yvan?"

She raised her gaze, her eyes ice-cold as she spoke slowly, "Or should I storm into the engagement party and cause a scene, declaring that I was supposed to be his fiancée?"

Meeting Shane's dark, icy eyes, she murmured as she shook her head, "Don't worry. I wouldn't be that shameless. The Lawson family raised me for over 20 years—I've taken enough. I wouldn't dare ask for more."

Shane stared at her coldly, his expression unreadable. His voice was chilling as he said, "Good. I don't want any surprises at the engagement banquet."

As soon as his words fell, a soft female voice called out from outside, "Shane, where are you?"

It was Wendy Lawson's voice.

Nina's body tensed instantly, her back stiff as a board.

As Wendy's footsteps drew closer, Shane shot Nina a cold, knowing glance, as if saying, "You know what to do."

Then, he turned and stepped out.

Wendy clung to his arm, her voice sweet and delighted. "Shane, I've been looking for you forever! You wouldn't even pick up your phone. The wedding dress catalogs just arrived—Mom wants you to help me pick one."

"Alright. Buy whichever ones you like."

With Wendy, Shane's tone softened considerably, his voice far gentler than when he spoke to Nina.

As the sounds outside faded completely, Nina braced herself against the wall, struggling to stand. Her gaze was devoid of emotion.

As a brother, Shane was perfect—so much so that he would even entangle himself in such a forbidden relationship—for Wendy's sake.

Three years ago, Wendy found the Lawson family, claiming she was their real daughter. Nina, it turned out, was merely a child who had been mistakenly switched at birth in the hospital.

Nina had refused to believe it, but Shane had thrown a paternity test in her face—one she couldn't deny.

Not long after, Wendy fell in love with Yvan at first sight. The Lawson couple, filled with guilt toward their long-lost daughter, immediately approached the Smiths to renegotiate the engagement.

The Smiths had no objections. They wanted Yvan to marry the Lawson family's eldest daughter, not Nina. It was a perfect arrangement—except for Yvan, who disagreed.

So, on a stormy night, Shane came to Nina's room and forced her to become his woman. From that night on, she was shackled to him.

There was no room for resistance. To him, she was his lover and plaything—but never his sister. Undoubtedly, Shane had ensured this reality was etched into her very being with his cold, merciless control.

After changing her clothes, Nina stepped out of the closet and saw Wendy sitting beside Abigail in the living room, excitedly flipping through the wedding dress catalogs.

"Mom, I still think that one is too plain. It also makes my waist look a bit thick. Let's look at more options."

Shane held a cup of coffee but didn't drink from it. He spoke flatly, "There's a bridal exhibition in Gaullia next week. If you don't find anything you like here, we can check there."

Wendy cheered, "Yes! Then, Shane has to come with me!"

"You're always making your brother run around you," Abigail chided, though her tone was affectionate. "He's busy. How would he have time to accompany you to an exhibition?"

She tapped Wendy lightly, a doting smile on her face. But when she looked up and spotted Nina, she called out, "Nina, where have you been? I haven't seen you all day."

Abigail had always treated her well. Even after Wendy returned, she insisted that Nina was still a part of the family—that the Lawson home would always be hers.

But in order to escape Shane's control, Nina had moved out as soon as she started working. The only reason she had come back this time was because Wendy wanted to flaunt her upcoming marriage to Yvan in front of her.

Nina forced a smile. "I wasn't feeling well, so I rested in my room for a bit."

Wendy scoffed, her tone mocking as she said, "Oh? Were you physically unwell, or were you emotionally hurt?"

Shane set down his cup and glanced over. That gaze was tangible, like a blade against her back.

Nina averted her eyes and replied hoarsely, "I forgot to close the window last night and caught a bit of a fever."

"You're always so careless about your health," Abigail remarked with a sigh, her voice filled with concern.

Wendy, on the other hand, rolled her eyes. "It's such a hassle just to get you to visit. Mom had to call several times before you finally showed up."

Chapter 2

Nina knew Wendy had always been hostile toward her—not just because she had wrongfully taken her place for over 20 years, but also because of Yvan.

She didn't want to argue with Wendy in front of Abigail, so she remained silent.

Abigail quickly tried to smooth things over. "Don't say such things. Nina had a fever and was asleep, so she didn't get the call."

She then turned to Nina. "Did you take your medicine?"

"Yes, I did."

"That's good."

Abigail sighed in relief and pulled Nina to sit down, handing her the wedding dress catalog.

"Nina, take a look. These are the latest wedding dress designs this year. Help Wendy pick one, and while you're at it, see if there's anything you like, too."

From the moment Abigail spoke, Nina felt something was off. Hearing this now, she could more or less guess where this was going.

"Nina, Wendy is about to get engaged. You're still all alone—that's not really ideal, no?"

Abigail sighed before continuing, "It just so happens that your father has a business partner whose son is two years older than you. He recently returned from abroad. I've met him—he's handsome and well-mannered, a good match for you. Why don't you meet him when you're free?"

Nina's fingers felt cold. She opened her mouth, her voice dry. "Mom, I don't have any plans to date right now."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wendy slammed the catalog onto the floor, her expression darkening.

"No plans to date? Or are you still clinging to old feelings?" She sneered. "Seeing that I'm about to be engaged to Yvan, you're suddenly longing for him again, aren't you?"

A lump formed in Nina's throat. She tried to hold back but couldn't. "Since you already know you're about to be engaged, there's no need to be so insecure."

As soon as those words left her mouth, Wendy froze for a moment before raising her hand to slap her.

Nina instinctively closed her eyes, but the expected pain never came.

She opened her eyes to see Shane gripping Wendy's wrist.

Wendy's eyes reddened from frustration. "Shane!"

Shane glanced at Nina, his dark gaze deep and unreadable. Then, he spoke coldly, "Apologize."

Nina said, "I'm sorry."

She didn't think she had said anything wrong, but in this situation, apologizing was the quickest way to end things.

Abigail rushed over to comfort Wendy, while Nina exhaled, trying to ignore the bitterness in her chest.

She went to wash her face, and when she looked up, she saw Shane's reflection in the mirror—a tall figure standing behind her.

His expression was icy, his entire presence exuding a suffocating pressure that resembled a brewing storm. He took two steps forward, trapping her in a corner.

Nina had nowhere to escape. She could only press herself against the wall as she heard his deep voice.

"Where were you last Friday night?"

That was an interrogation to her.

Nina closed her eyes briefly before answering honestly, "Grand Luminara Hotel."

"Who did you meet?"

She lowered her voice. "Yvan Smith. I ran into him by chance while negotiating a contract with Dynavest Realty."

Nina clenched her palms. Then, she looked up at Shane. "We only saw each other. We didn't even talk."

In truth, she wouldn't even know what to say to Yvan anymore.

She wasn't lying—Shane always kept a close watch on her. Besides his driver and bodyguards, she knew he had eyes on her even in the shadows.

Sometimes, she felt like she lived in a tightly monitored cage, surrounded by Shane's watchful presence, leaving her no room to breathe. Maybe one day, she would suffocate in this environment.

Shane's gaze softened slightly. He brushed his fingers over her cheek, his touch cold. "Good."

They were too close. Close enough for Nina to catch the faint scent of tobacco on him.

The next second, her stomach churned. On reflex, she shoved Shane away and rushed to the toilet, retching violently.

She hadn't eaten much today, so all she threw up was mostly water. When the nausea finally subsided, she straightened up and turned around, only to meet Shane's scrutinizing gaze.

Her heart skipped a beat. His eyes were sharp, piercing through her. For a moment, her back stiffened.

She forced herself to stay calm, but then he asked, "Are you pregnant?"

Nina's hand trembled. She shook her head. "That's impossible. I've been taking birth control pills. I just haven't eaten today, so my stomach feels off."

Shane stared at her for a few seconds before saying nothing more. He turned and left.

After rinsing her mouth, Nina returned to the living room.

Wendy had calmed down, comforted by Abigail. When she saw Nina, she didn't say anything and just scoffed loudly.

Abigail motioned for Nina to come over and handed her a few photos. "Take a look. See if there's anyone suitable."

She smiled warmly. "Even if you're not thinking about dating, you can at least meet new people."

Nina had no choice but to take the photos and flip through them absentmindedly.

Then, Abigail added, "Oh, and you should go for a checkup sometime soon. See what the doctor says about your condition."

Nina froze for a moment.

She had a naturally weak constitution—thick uterine walls and underdeveloped ovaries. The doctor once told her that with her condition, pregnancy would be extremely difficult.

"Since you're not in good health, you should take better care of yourself," Abigail continued, rambling on. "Shane brought back some premium manuka honey from overseas. Take some home later."

Wendy huffed in dissatisfaction. "Mom! Why do you care so much about her? We've been giving her food and shelter all these years. If she's unhealthy, that's her problem. I'm the one getting married soon—I need to take care of my body, too! I want some of that honey as well."

Between Wendy and Nina, Abigail had always favored Wendy. She quickly reassured her, "Alright, alright. If you want more, I'll have Shane buy some for you."

Nina watched their interaction, her eyes stinging. She was nothing more than an outsider in this home.

…

After dinner, Nina got up to leave. She didn't take the honey Abigail had mentioned.

As soon as she left the Lawson residence, she headed straight for the hospital. She hadn't been feeling well all day. She had no appetite during meals, and she had suppressed the nausea several times.

Could she really be pregnant?

No, that was impossible.

Wendy had once pushed her into an icy pool in the middle of winter, leaving her with severe uterine issues. And the doctor had told her plainly that her chances of conceiving were less than ten percent.

Nina tried to stop herself from overthinking. She registered at the hospital and underwent a full checkup.

Soon, the results came back—she was really pregnant.

Chapter 3

Nina sat in the hallway, staring blankly at the report in her hands.

The words "Pregnancy Confirmed" felt like a punch to the gut, sending her thoughts into chaos.

But there was no hesitation. She had already made up her mind—this baby had to go. For years, she had been quietly getting ready to leave Shane, saving money bit by bit.

Not long ago, her university professor had contacted her about an overseas exchange program for further studies. She had applied for it. If everything went smoothly, she could leave the country and completely sever her ties with Shane.

But all of that depended on her not being pregnant.

"Nina!" a familiar voice called out.

Nina looked up to see her childhood best friend, Lisette Jones.

Lisette worked in the hospital's surgery department. The moment she got Nina's call, she rushed over.

One look at Nina's face, and she could already guess what she was thinking. "Are you really sure about the abortion?"

"Yes." Nina nodded. "Please help me arrange the procedure as soon as possible."

Lisette had initially wanted to persuade her to keep the baby. As a doctor, she knew how difficult it was for someone with Nina's condition to conceive. If she terminated this pregnancy, her uterus could suffer further damage, possibly making it impossible for her to ever get pregnant again.

But looking at Nina's pale face now, Lisette couldn't say a word. In the end, she simply patted Nina's hand. "Honestly, it's probably for the best. Who knows what kind of lunatic Shane's child would grow up to be?"

Nina added, "There's one more thing I need your help with. I need a fake medical report saying I was never pregnant."

Lisette agreed immediately, "No problem. I'll take care of it when I get back. Come in tomorrow for a pre-op checkup, and if everything goes well, we can schedule the procedure within the week."

Just as she finished speaking, Nina's phone rang.

It was Shane.

"Hello?"

His voice was cold. "Bring the contract from my office to Lumora Palace Hotel."

After graduating, Nina had planned to find a job, but Abigail had convinced her otherwise. She insisted that working for the family business was better than being someone else's employee. That was how Nina ended up as Shane's secretary.

But after Wendy returned, even that position became awkward for her.

…

Nina arrived at the hotel and pushed open the private room door. A strong mix of alcohol and smoke immediately hit her, making her stomach churn.

She suppressed her nausea and walked in with the documents.

Shane sat at the head of the table. When he saw her enter, he merely lifted his gaze lazily. "What took you so long?"

"There was traffic on the way," Nina answered dutifully.

She had delivered the documents, but Shane didn't dismiss her, nor did he offer her a seat. Left with no choice, she lowered her gaze and stood quietly to the side.

The others in the room were sharp enough to pick up on Shane's intentional disregard for her.

After all, when the Lawson family found Wendy, they had made a grand spectacle of it, hosting a banquet to celebrate Wendy's return. Nina, the imposter, had become a well-known joke.

"Ms. Lawson, long time no see. Do you still remember me?"

Jack Mercer approached with a drink in hand, his intentions far from pure. "The last time I saw you was at the Lawson residence. But, well, times change… Regardless, Ms. Lawson, you're still my friend. Come on. Let's have a drink."

With that, he pushed a full glass of wine toward Nina.

She had no way to refuse and instinctively looked at Shane.

Shane's eyes narrowed slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Since it's a toast, you should drink."

His words cemented Nina's position in the room. If even Shane didn't speak up for her, who would?

Jack's eyes lit up when he heard the permission. He pushed the glass closer, the rim nearly touching Nina's lips.

"Come on. Shane already agreed. Are you afraid of getting drunk?"

His smile was both suggestive and lecherous. He reached out, brushing against her hand. "What's there to be afraid of? If you drink too much, we'll just book a room upstairs. Don't worry. Even if Shane doesn't take care of you, we definitely will."

Nina's skin crawled as Jack grabbed her wrist.

"I'm sorry, but I really can't drink—"

"Come on. After two bottles, even a lightweight can drink!"

Jack was relentless, attempting to force the glass to her lips.

Nina instinctively stepped back, her fingers trembling as she reached out and grabbed Shane's arm.

Finally, Shane spoke, "Enough."

His voice was indifferent. "If she can't drink, leave it."

Nina finally let out a breath of relief, only then realizing that her back was covered in cold sweat.

…

When the gathering ended, Nina walked out of the hotel. Shane's car was already waiting by the curb.

The driver, Logan Ryder, left as soon as the car pulled up, and Shane opened the door, glancing at her.

"Get in." His voice was deep. "Do you need me to say it twice?"

Nina hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The moment she entered, her wrist was grabbed, and Shane exerted force, pressing her down onto the back seat. He leaned over and bit her delicate earlobe.

"No—" A startled gasp escaped her lips.

Shane had clearly been drinking—the scent of whiskey lingered in his breath. But even if he were sober, it wasn't like he would stop just because she told him to.

But all Nina could think about was the ticking time bomb inside her—the child.

Her blood ran cold. In a desperate struggle, her bag slipped, and the medical report she had gotten today fell to the floor.

She reached out to grab it, but Shane was faster.

Seizing the moment, Nina blurted out, "I went to the doctor today. They said I have a hormonal imbalance and need treatment. For now, I can't—we can't be intimate."

It was a complete lie. The document stating she couldn't engage in intercourse was something Lisette had prepared just to fool Shane before her abortion.

The dim car interior was illuminated by passing streetlights, casting shifting shadows inside. Nina couldn't make out his expression, and her palms were drenched in sweat.

When he finally let go of her, she exhaled in relief. Sitting up quickly, she shakily buttoned her disheveled shirt—only for her wrist to be seized once more.

Shane's eyes were dark and unreadable as he stared at her.

Nina stiffened, fearing that he had seen through her lie. "I—"

She tried to say something to reinforce her story, but Shane suddenly pulled her forward.

Caught off guard, Nina tumbled straight into his arms.

Shane tapped his lips and said in a calm voice, "I taught you before—how should you beg?"

Chapter 4

Nina's eyelashes fluttered slightly.

She had tried everything to escape from Shane—every trick, every tactic. But in the end, she was locked in a room by him, nearly missing her graduation defense.

She had begged him to let her go to school. And what had Shane said to her?

Nina clenched her palms and, with her eyes closed, leaned forward. Her cool, soft lips brushed against the corner of Shane's lips. It was a fleeting touch—nothing more.

Compared to Shane's kisses, this was nothing—light and insignificant. But fortunately, he didn't make things difficult for her. He simply turned away and started the car.

Nina finally felt her heart settle back into place after nearly jumping into her throat.

…

The next day, Nina woke up early and headed straight to the hospital. Luckily, it was the weekend, so she didn't have to come up with an excuse to take leave from work.

She called Lisette, who was busy with a patient and couldn't step away, so she told Nina to come upstairs to find her.

The elevator was too crowded, and just waiting for it would take forever. So, Nina decided to take the stairs. But as soon as she turned the corner on the third floor, she ran straight into Wendy.

Wendy saw her, too, and her face immediately darkened. "What are you doing here?"

The third floor was the obstetrics and gynecology department.

A realization struck Nina. She glanced at the medical report in Wendy's hand—it was a pregnancy test result.

Wendy was pregnant.

Nina didn't know what expression she should make. Her throat felt unbearably dry.

"Speak! What are you doing here?"

Wendy had already stormed up to her, grabbing her by the collar. "I knew it! You're like a dog chasing after a bone—wherever Yvan is, that's where you go! Do you have no shame?"

Nina lifted her hand to block, but she was a step too late. With a loud ripping sound, her shirt was torn open, revealing the faint but unmistakable marks on her skin.

Wendy's eyes landed on them, and her expression twisted as if someone had stabbed her raw nerves.

Before Nina could react, a slap landed hard across her face.

"Bitch!"

Wendy was still screaming hysterically. "Was it not enough that you stole my identity? Not enough that you spent over 20 years living as a wealthy heiress? And now you want to steal my fiancé, too? How can someone be as despicable as you?"

The commotion had drawn a crowd. Dozens of eyes landed on Nina, disheveled and exposed, their murmurs buzzing around her.

Her face stung from the slap, her ears ringing.

Wendy's voice remained sharp and piercing. "Why are you in the obstetric department? Who's the father of your child this time?"

She lunged forward again, hands ready to strike, but someone grabbed her wrist.

"Wendy!"

A man rushed over, exhaustion written all over his face. He caught Wendy's hand and pulled her aside, lowering his voice in warning. "Enough."

Wendy looked up at the man and instantly shrank back. The arrogance she had just displayed vanished, replaced by a demure, delicate demeanor. She nestled into his arms. "Yvan."

Following her gaze, Nina looked up and met Yvan's eyes directly.

With Wendy at his side, Yvan no longer paid attention to Nina.

Wendy clung to his sleeve, softening her tone. "Yvan, we're about to get engaged, and yet she's still clinging to you. She even followed you here—it's disgusting."

Yvan's expression remained neutral. He didn't respond to her accusations, only dropping his gaze to her belly. "Didn't the doctor tell you you can't have any strenuous movements during pregnancy? What if you miscarry?"

Wendy finally remembered her condition. She wasn't used to being a mother yet, and Yvan's words made her panic. "Let's go back and check again."

Losing their child over Nina, that wretched woman, wouldn't be worth it.

Yvan gave a faint nod, took Wendy's hand, and led her away.

The crowd, seeing the drama come to an end, gradually dispersed, leaving only Nina behind.

Nina felt choked up. Yvan's gaze from earlier lingered in her mind, impossible to shake off. She forced herself to shut her eyes, willing herself to forget.

Ever since Wendy returned, she had known there was no future between her and Yvan. Since that was the case, why should she torment herself?

She turned to head upstairs but abruptly stopped in her tracks.

Someone was standing there—Shane.

She had no idea how long he had been there or how much of the spectacle he had witnessed.

Nina's fingertips went numb.

It was Shane who broke the silence first, stepping forward and looking down at her. "What are you doing at the hospital?"

Shane never asked questions directly. What he really wanted to know wasn't why she was at the hospital, but why she was at the obstetrics department.

Nina pressed her lips together. "Just picking up some medicine. Passing through."

"Passing through?" Shane repeated the words slowly, rolling them over his tongue, his gaze dark and unreadable. "Is that so?"

Nina's palms were damp with sweat, her back stiff. "Yes. You saw the report yesterday. The doctor said I need to take medicine for a while."

As soon as she finished speaking, the elevator chimed open.

Lisette rushed out, calling her name, only to freeze mid-step when she saw Shane.

"Mr. Lawson." Lisette touched the tip of her nose, then glanced at Nina. "I was just about to take Nina to pick up her medicine. You know she hasn't been well. Want to come with us?"

Shane's response was indifferent. "No need."

He lowered his gaze back to Nina. "I'll wait for you outside."

With that, he turned and left.

Only after Shane had walked away did Lisette move closer. "That scared me to death! We almost got caught."

Nina could only offer a bitter smile. She knew there was no way she could get her checkup done today.

Lisette got her the medicine based on the report and chattered the whole way, "At first, I thought keeping the baby might be a good idea, considering how hard it is for you to get pregnant. But now, I think you should just get rid of it. The Lawson family is insane."

"That's assuming I can even get rid of it." Nina felt the weight of it all pressing down on her.

Shane's surveillance was everywhere. He appeared without warning, just like today. Could she really go through with the abortion without him finding out?

She walked out of the hospital with the medicine in hand, and sure enough, Shane's car was there.

Nina got in.

Shane hadn't brought a driver today. He sat in the driver's seat alone, flipping through some documents with an unreadable expression.

Once, Nina had seen Shane as her older brother. As a sibling, he had been perfect—gentle, patient, indulging her every whim.

She still remembered when she was little, breaking an antique vase her father, David Lawson, had brought back from an auction overseas. David had been furious, but Shane took the blame for her, enduring a severe beating.

That was before everything changed three years ago. Since then, the Shane she knew had ceased to exist.

No matter how much time passed, she could never figure out what he was thinking—just like now. She had no idea if he had believed her lie earlier or what his mood was at this moment.

As soon as she buckled her seatbelt, Shane spoke, his voice heavy, "Do you really want to get married?"

Chapter 5

Nina froze.

She couldn't fathom why Shane was asking this, nor did she know how to answer. Silence was her only option.

Marriage? Thanks to Shane, she had long lost interest in romance. If she had to say anything, it would be that her only goal now was to save enough money to leave the Lawsons, escape from the madman Shane, and disappear.

But Shane was determined to hear her answer. His voice turned colder. "Speak."

Nina had no choice but to respond, "Whether I marry or not depends on you, doesn't it?"

Shane leaned in and gripped her chin, his words chilling. "Forget about any unnecessary thoughts. For the rest of your life, you will stay by my side."

Nina's eyes widened. This was her worst fear.

She swallowed her frustration, but she couldn't hold back.

With a biting tone, she retorted, "Of course. After all, even if I wanted to get married, who would want a woman who's already been ruined?"

The moment her words landed, the temperature in the car plummeted.

A dark storm brewed in Shane's gaze. His grip tightened, leaving a glaring red mark on her skin. "Take that back."

Nina had no idea what had triggered his fury this time, but from past experience, she knew better than to provoke him further. She would be the one to suffer if she did.

It was a lesson learned over the past three years.

"Fine. I take it back."

Yet Shane's expression didn't soften in the slightest. He let go of her abruptly, pushed open the car door, and left.

Nina felt utterly drained. She had no idea what Shane really wanted, but deep inside, she sensed danger.

Her hand moved instinctively to her lower abdomen, her expression growing resolute. The child couldn't stay, and she had to get rid of it as soon as possible.

…

The next morning, Nina arrived at the office early. Just as she sat down, Daisy Claire from the secretary's office approached with a stack of documents.

"Nina, the general manager asked me to take these to the top-floor conference room, but the entrance requires fingerprint access. You're the only one in the secretary's office with clearance. Could you come with me?"

Nina hesitated. She had already checked the day's schedule—there were no meetings planned.

"Wait a moment. Let me confirm with Mr. Lawson."

Before she could finish, Daisy cut her off, "It's not Mr. Lawson's meeting. Why would you call him?"

There was a mocking tone in her voice. "Our company isn't run by just one person, you know. Besides, even if we made a mistake, it's just a wasted trip.

"No big deal. We get paid to do our job, don't we? No matter who we are, once we step into this company, we should act like proper employees. Don't you think so?"

Nina caught the underlying meaning.

Even since Wendy returned to the Lawson family, David had given her the title of general manager to make up for her years of suffering outside. In reality, it was nothing more than a glorified idle position with no real responsibilities.

But regardless of the truth, Nina knew she had no choice but to go.

Wendy was eager to prove she was the true Lawson heiress, while Nina had long been cast aside. Wendy wanted to trample over her at every turn. And many in the company agreed.

The elevator stopped at the top floor. Nina scanned her fingerprint to unlock the door. They had barely stepped in when Daisy shoved the documents into Nina's hands.

"I suddenly need to use the restroom. Wait here for me."

With that, Daisy hurried away. Nina stood there for a while, but Daisy never returned.

Sighing, Nina walked toward the restroom. "Daisy?"

As she called out, she took a few steps inside.

The next second, a strong force slammed into her back and caused her to stumble, crashing into a stall. Before she could react, the door behind her slammed shut with a loud bang.

From outside, Daisy's gleeful laughter rang out. "This is just a little lesson to remind you of your place. Stop acting so shamelessly! Did you really think you were still the Lawson family's princess?"

Struggling to her feet, Nina tried to push open the door, but it wouldn't budge. Something heavy had been wedged against it.

Then, a bucket of ice-cold water poured down from above. There was nowhere to dodge in the cramped stall. The freezing liquid drenched her from head to toe.

Outside, Daisy tossed aside the bucket and made a call, sounding triumphant. "Ms. Lawson, I did exactly as you asked. That bitch is locked on the top floor.

"I've been waiting to do this for ages. Don't worry. No one else knows. It's all taken care of."

Sitting on the toilet, soaked and shivering, Nina listened as Daisy's footsteps faded away. A sharp pain stabbed through her abdomen. Her limbs felt numb, her blood frozen.

She pulled out her phone to call for help, but after scrolling through her contacts, she realized the only person she could reach was Shane.

With pale fingers, she tapped on his number. Each ring dragged out painfully long.

"The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."

She called twice, but Shane never answered.

Her hands trembled. She was about to dial 911 when her phone, soaked in water, flickered and went black.

Pain and cold wrapped around her like a vice. Her thoughts grew sluggish. She stared at the dark screen, realizing this had to be Shane's punishment for her.

Her consciousness grew heavier. If she stayed here, she might die, and no one would even know.

Gritting her teeth, she bit down on her tongue to stay awake. She kicked off her heels, climbed onto the toilet, and gripped the stall wall, forcing herself up.

The moment she exerted strength, pain ripped through her abdomen. Her face turned white, but she bit her lip, pushing through the agony inch by inch.

Finally, she managed to hoist herself halfway over the divider.

She had almost no energy left. Gathering her last bit of strength, she reached for the toilet tank in the next stall. But exhaustion weighed her down. Her grip failed, and she fell.

With a loud thud, she crashed into the next stall, pain shooting through her body. For a long moment, she couldn't move.

Drenched, freezing, and exhausted, she had reached her limit. Then, something warm trickled down her legs.

She didn't even need a doctor to tell her—the baby was gone.

That was her last conscious thought before darkness took over.