Chapter 6 The Day She Lost Everything

Charlotte stayed in the hospital for three days before she was finally allowed to go home. Before discharging her, the doctor repeatedly reminded her that she needed to rest and avoid anything that might cause extreme stress to ensure the safety of the baby in her womb.

But the moment the car stopped in front of the Hawthorne Mansion, she knew she was returning to the same hell she had left just a few days ago. As soon as she entered the mansion, several maids greeted her.

"Ma'am Charlotte!" Ms. Nena, the longest-serving maid in the house, hurried over.

"How are you? We heard you were hospitalized. We were all worried."

"Ma'am, is the baby okay?" asked another maid, concern etched on her face. Charlotte smiled even though her body was still tired.

"I'm okay. Don't worry."

"Thank goodness."

"The important thing is that both of you are safe."

Before they could continue their conversation, a cold voice interrupted the silence.

"Charlotte."

Everyone turned at once. Mrs. Hawthorne slowly descended the stairs, her sharp eyes fixed on Charlotte. She didn't even ask how she was. She didn't ask about the condition of her grandchild either. Instead, she handed an apron to Charlotte.

"Put it on."

Charlotte froze.

"Mother...?"

"What? Do I have to repeat myself?"

She couldn't answer.

"Start your work again."

"But... the doctor said I need to rest more."

Mrs. Hawthorne's eyebrows raised slightly.

"Rest?"

She laughed bitterly.

"Don't tell me that just because you spent three days in the hospital, you want to act like a queen here."

"Mother, that's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

Charlotte looked down stiffly.

"You're not paralyzed."

Mrs. Hawthorne threw the apron at her chest.

"You can walk."

"You can move."

"That means you can also clean, do the laundry, and prepare food."

Charlotte remained silent.

"Mother..."

"And one more thing."

The old woman's gaze became even sharper.

"Don't use your pregnancy to avoid responsibilities."

Charlotte bit her lower lip.

She couldn't answer.

She knew whatever she said wouldn't be believed.

The maids just watched her.

She could see the pity in their eyes, but none of them could speak.

They were afraid of losing their jobs.

She slowly put on the apron.

When Mrs. Hawthorne saw that, she smiled slightly.

"Good."

"And remember."

"You didn't become Mrs. Hawthorne to rest."

"You are here to serve this family."

She turned away as if nothing had happened. Charlotte just bowed her head silently.

She gradually felt her eyes stinging. Not because of exhaustion. But because of the truth that even though she almost lost her child, nothing changed in how she was treated.

After finishing some household chores, she slowly went up to her room. When she opened the door, she immediately noticed the old notebook she used to use whenever she helped Ethan at the Hawthorne Group.

She touched it gently.

The financial analyses, business proposals, and ideas she once shared with Ethan were still there. Back then, they worked side by side almost every night.

Ethan would even ask for her opinion before signing important contracts. But when did everything start to change?

When did Ethan start making her feel like she had no right to interfere with the company?

Charlotte sighed. It had been a few months since she was last able to enter the Hawthorne Group office.

At first, Ethan said he just wanted to reduce her fatigue. Then, he said there were enough executives to handle the business. Until she was no longer included in meetings.

She was no longer given the opportunity to read the financial reports she used to analyze. It was as if she was gradually removed from the world she had helped build.

And that was when she remembered the name she saw in the newspaper while in the hospital.

Silver Crest Holdings.

She didn't know why, but something was bothering her mind. Not just because the company name was unfamiliar. But because it was only now that she was completely sidelined from everything related to the business.

What exactly was Ethan hiding?

And why did he seem like he didn't want her to know anything happening at the Hawthorne Group anymore?

She quietly picked up the papers scattered on the floor.

Some were old drafts, while others were documents that didn't seem necessary anymore.

She didn't try to read them.

She knew she was no longer allowed to interfere in the business.

One by one, she put the papers into a large trash bag until the office was completely clean.

When finished, she tied the trash bag tightly and carried it slowly.

She sighed.

Even though her body felt heavy, she had no choice.

After leaving the mansion, she headed for the large trash bin at the side of the driveway.

The surroundings were quiet.

Charlotte stepped slowly while struggling to balance the heavy trash bag.

But when she was only a few meters away from the trash bin, suddenly... Screeeech!

She turned around.

It was too late.

BANG!

She was hit hard by an approaching vehicle.

The trash bag she was holding flew away as she fell hard onto the concrete road.

"Ahhh!"

Charlotte screamed.

She immediately clutched her stomach with both hands.

It hurt so much.

She felt something twisting inside her womb.

"H-help..." she muttered weakly while trying to crawl.

"Is... anyone... there..."

Warm liquid gradually spread between her thighs.

When she looked down, her eyes widened. Blood. Lots of blood.

"No..." she shook her head while her whole body trembled.

"No... my child..." Tears streamed down her eyes.

"Help me... please..." The window of the car that hit her slowly rolled down.

She saw a familiar face.

Vanessa.

She was sitting in the back of the car without any trace of shock on her face.

She just glanced at Charlotte before speaking coldly.

"Robert."

The driver looked at the rearview mirror.

"Don't mind her."

"Ma'am..."

"It's more important that we get to the mansion immediately."

"Mrs. Hawthorne wants to see me."

"But, Ma'am... she's bleeding."

Vanessa looked at Charlotte without emotion.

"It's her own fault."

"And besides..." She smiled slightly.

"The child in her womb isn't that important anyway."

It was as if Charlotte's whole world collapsed.

She couldn't believe what she heard.

She sobbed.

"Vanessa..." she called out weakly.

"Please..."

"Take me to the hospital..."

Their eyes met for a moment. But there was no mercy in Vanessa's eyes.

The car window just rolled up. A few seconds later... The car drove away completely.

She was left lying in the middle of the driveway.

"My child..." Charlotte whispered repeatedly while hugging her stomach.

"Don't leave me..." Her vision was blurring.

She felt her strength slowly fading.

"Ma'am Charlotte!" Ms. Nena turned around when she heard the faint cry.

When she stepped out of the mansion, she immediately saw Charlotte lying on the ground, bathed in her own blood.

"My God!" She hurried over.

"Ma'am Charlotte!"

"Call an ambulance!"

The maids came running out one after another.

They were all stunned by the amount of blood spreading on the concrete.

"Hurry!"

"Let's take her to the hospital!"

A few more minutes passed before Vanessa's driver returned.

When he got out of the car, he immediately saw the chaos.

"What happened?"

A heavy conscience was on his face when he noticed it was Charlotte on the ground. But it was too late.

Charlotte had completely lost consciousness.

She slowly opened her eyes.

Bright light was the first thing she encountered.

Next, she heard the successive sounds of medical monitors.

She felt dizzy.

Her body was heavy.

When she moved slightly, her hand automatically clutched her stomach.

She stiffened.

Something was wrong. Something... was gone.

Her tears dripped slowly.

Even before the doctor could speak... It was like she already knew what happened.

It was like her heart already felt the truth.

Her child was gone.