Chapter1 We Lost Our Child

"No!"

A sharp cry pierced the deathly silence of the hospital room.

Miranda jolted upright in bed, cold sweat soaking through her thin hospital gown.

Blinding white surrounded her, the harsh smell of disinfectant filling her nostrils.

A nurse hurried in, relief washing over her face when she saw Miranda awake.

"You're up? How are you feeling?"

Miranda didn't answer. She just sat there gasping for air, staring blankly ahead.

The nurse softened her voice, trying to comfort her.

"Try not to be too upset. We couldn't save the baby."

"But you're okay. Once your body heals, there will be other chances."

The baby... gone...

Those words hit Miranda like stones crushing her chest.

She looked down slowly, trembling hands moving to her still-flat stomach.

There had been a tiny life there, quietly existing for two whole months.

The memory flashed through her mind again. That damp, abandoned warehouse. The kidnapper's twisted face and the gleaming knife in his hand, all so vivid it felt like it was happening right now.

"Harrison Whitmore, choose one."

"Your wife Miranda, or your first love Ariana Dalton?"

The kidnapper's voice was rough and cruel, like death itself passing judgment.

Miranda's eyes locked onto the man not far away. The man she had loved for five years. Her husband.

She watched Harrison's gaze shift between her and her cousin Ariana, his hesitation like a dull blade slowly cutting into her heart.

Then she watched him point without hesitation at Ariana, who was cowering behind him, trembling.

"Let Ariana go."

In that moment, Miranda's world collapsed.

An image flashed through her mind. The test results she'd gotten just that morning.

Pregnancy, 8 weeks.

The doctor's congratulatory smile was still fresh in her memory. She had planned to tell him tonight, on their anniversary. It was supposed to be a surprise.

"Looks like your husband has made his choice."

The kidnapper pressed his knife against her neck. The cold steel made her whole body shudder.

"Any last words for your loving husband?"

Miranda looked past the blade at Harrison, using every ounce of strength she had left to speak clearly.

"Harrison, I'm pregnant."

"Two months."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ariana let out a soft, frightened gasp from behind Harrison.

"Harrison, I'm so scared."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it shattered Miranda's last shred of hope.

The kidnapper laughed, clearly enjoying this drama.

"Harrison, did you hear that? Your wife's got one in the oven. I'll give you one last chance. Who's it gonna be?"

Miranda's heart jumped into her throat. She looked at him, a flicker of hope rising in her eyes.

It was their child.

The kidnapper saw Harrison struggling to decide and decided to help him along.

He gestured to his two men. Harrison watched helplessly as two thugs positioned themselves beside Miranda and Ariana, their hands reaching for the women's clothing.

The kidnapper even pulled out his phone, filming the humiliation.

The sound of fabric tearing filled the air.

Harrison's eyes turned bloodshot as he glared at the kidnapper.

"Don't touch them!" His voice was filled with rage.

The kidnapper ignored him, his eyes leering at the beautiful woman. "Your woman's got such smooth skin!"

"You know what? I changed my mind. I don't want you to choose anymore. I'll keep both of them. I've got plenty of brothers who need some entertainment too. After we're done, we'll strip them naked and throw them in the streets. Let the homeless have some fun."

The kidnapper laughed at his own words.

Miranda watched the man's hand reaching for her chest, tears streaming down her face as she backed away desperately.

She looked at Harrison with pleading eyes.

"Harrison, save me! Save our baby!"

Miranda couldn't bear to think what would happen to the baby if these men violated her.

Ariana refused to be outdone. She looked at Harrison, thinking that if Miranda died at the kidnappers' hands, Harrison would have to save her.

With that thought, Ariana deliberately shifted her body and bumped into Miranda.

Right in front of her was the kidnapper's knife.

Miranda was shoved forward violently. A line of blood appeared on her neck.

The kidnapper next to her saw Miranda stumble toward him and cursed, "Stupid bitch, trying to run into me!"

He struck Miranda hard across the face.

Blood trickled from the corner of Miranda's mouth as she looked desperately at Harrison.

But all she heard was Harrison's voice, still firm and urgent.

"I choose Ariana! Let her go, I'll give you whatever you want!"

A hot tear rolled down Miranda's cheek.

Her heart died completely in that moment.

She closed her eyes, waiting for death to come.

The cold blade pressed down hard.

Bang!

A deafening gunshot rang out.

The expected pain never came. The kidnapper's arm holding the knife went limp and fell.

In the chaos, Miranda felt her body go light as someone pulled her into a warm, anxious embrace.

Before losing consciousness completely, she thought she saw a face filled with desperate concern.

...

The hospital room door creaked open.

Harrison walked in. Seeing Miranda awake, relief crossed his face.

"Miranda, you're finally up. Thank God you're okay."

He approached the bed, exhaustion in his voice.

"Things got too intense back there. The kidnapper was unstable. My plan was to calm him down, get him to release Ariana first, then figure out how to save you."

Miranda listened quietly, her face expressionless, as if she were hearing someone else's story.

She lifted her eyes, meeting his gaze with an empty stare, her voice hoarse but calm.

"Harrison Whitmore, the baby's gone."

"I had a miscarriage."

Harrison's pupils contracted sharply. He was about to say something when—

"Ah!"

A sharp scream came from outside the room, followed by the sound of something shattering.

Harrison's expression changed instantly. He turned around.

"Something must have happened to Ariana. I need to check on her!"

He left her with "We'll talk about your situation later" before rushing out without looking back.

"Later? Right."

Miranda repeated those words quietly, a bitter smile crossing her lips.

Her problems could always wait.

Another tear fell silently, landing on her pale hand.

She slowly picked up the phone from beside her pillow, her fingertips white from gripping it so hard, and dialed a number she knew by heart.

The call connected quickly. A man's steady, concerned voice came through.

"Are you awake?"

Miranda took a deep breath, using the last of her strength to speak calmly.

"Christian."

"I need you to draft divorce papers for me."