Chapter 1

"Sir, Madam has been out by the lake for two whole days."

"It's pouring tonight, and the temperature's dropping fast. Shouldn't we let her back inside?"

Herman, the old butler, stood nearby, hesitating.

My husband, Eric, just scoffed. "Don't worry. Chloe grew up in foster care. A little rain won't kill her."

"She thinks she can bribe you, play the victim, and I'll forget all the cruel things she did to Wendy?"

Disgust flashed in Eric's eyes. "Let her stay out there. When she finally figures out how to act like a human being and earn forgiveness, then we can talk."

"But—"

"Leave!"

One harsh word and Herman fell silent, sighing as he walked away.

On the other end of the couch, Wendy huddled under a blanket, letting out a weak cough.

Eric's expression softened instantly. "What's wrong? Did I scare you?"

He gently pulled Wendy into his arms.

Wendy's eyes were red, tears streaking her pale face. "Eric, please don't punish my sister for me..."

"She just made a mistake. Maybe she loves you too much and she's afraid I'll take you away... I don't blame her."

Eric's face grew darker. He stroked Wendy's hair tenderly, but his voice was ice cold.

"You're too kind. That's why people take advantage of you."

"When she tied you up and threw you in the lake, did she even think you were a person? If I hadn't come home just in time, you'd be dead!"

"Don't worry, Wendy. When Chloe comes out, I'll make her kneel and apologize to you. She stays there until you forgive her."

I watched it all from above, almost laughing.

Eric, how much more do you want from me?

I'm already dead.

Two days ago, Wendy was tied up and tossed into the lake.

I saw it happen and jumped in to save her.

But Eric came back right then. He thought I was hurting Wendy and immediately ordered the guards to drag out that huge dog crate and shove me inside.

"Chloe, you want to bully Wendy? Then you can see how it feels yourself!"

I fought with everything I had, begging. "No! Eric! I didn't hurt her—I saved her!"

He wouldn't listen.

"I need to talk to you... I'm pregnant! I have a baby!"

I screamed, desperate for him to hear me.

I thought maybe, even if he didn't love me, he'd care about the child—at least enough not to lock me away.

But he just looked down at me, cold and distant, like I was nothing.

"You'll say anything to avoid punishment, huh?"

"Put her in."

The guards followed orders without hesitation.

They bent my arms and legs, forced my knees up to my chest, and slammed the metal door shut.

Crack.

I heard the bone in my leg snap.

The pain was blinding—I screamed, but Eric only looked more disgusted.

"Too noisy."

"Lock it."

But I didn't expect that the physical pain was only the beginning.

"Don't let her sink," Eric ordered coldly. "Tie the crate so it floats, leave a hole for air."

"Wendy was in the water for ten minutes. You can stay in there for two days. Think about what you did wrong."

With the sound of chains rattling, I was pushed—crate and all—into the lake.

The box rocked violently in the water. Freezing lake water seeped in through the bars, soaking my lower body, leaving just a tiny space at the top for me to breathe.

I stayed like that, submerged in icy water, for a day and a night.

But I didn't survive to see the storm.

That first night, as my body temperature dropped, with the agony of a broken leg and terror eating away at me, my body started to shut down.

The pressure of the water crushed my stomach.

A warm liquid trickled between my legs, spreading in the cold water—staining it pale red.

My baby was gone.

In the last moment before I lost consciousness, all I saw was the black water of the lake.