Chapter 2 Carrying His Heir

The sharp stench of antiseptic pierced Anna's senses, driving away the smell of blood and mud that haunted her memories.

Her eyelids felt heavy, as if glued shut. When she forced them open, the harsh white neon light instantly blinded her. Her body felt shattered, especially her right hand, which was now wrapped in thick bandages.

"Is the Madam awake?"

A deep male voice sounded from the side. Anna turned her head quickly, then winced as waves of pain hit her entire body. A middle-aged doctor with gold-rimmed glasses was checking the IV bag next to her.

"Where am I?" Anna asked hoarsely, her throat feeling as dry as sandpaper. The horrible memories rushed back. "My baby!"

Her left hand reflexively moved protectively over her still-flat stomach.

"The fetus is safe, Madam," Doctor Hans replied flatly while jotting something down. "It’s surprisingly strong. You are now in the private clinic of Lexton Corp."

"Lexton?" Anna frowned in confusion.

Before she could ask any further, the automatic doors slid open. The already cold room temperature suddenly felt freezing.

Damon Lexton strode in. His grey shirt was rolled up to his elbows, revealing sturdy, muscular arms. His steel-grey eyes scanned Anna from head to toe. His gaze wasn't like looking at a human being; it was as if he were appraising a piece of property.

"Get out, Hans," Damon ordered briefly.

Doctor Hans nodded respectfully. "Yes, Sir. The examination results show Madam Anna is suffering from severe malnutrition. Her body has almost no fat reserves. This is dangerous for the fetus."

Damon nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Anna. After the doctor left, Damon approached with intimidating steps.

"Malnutrition? Is the Vane Family so poor they couldn't even feed you?" he sneered sharply.

Anna gripped the blanket, afraid to return his gaze. "Sienna managed my diet; she said I was fat. I was put on a strict diet for three months just for the wedding dress," she squeaked softly.

"Stupid," Damon cursed. He pressed the intercom button on the wall. "Send soup and grilled salmon. Now!"

Shortly after, a nurse entered pushing a food trolley. The savory aroma wafted through the air, but Anna's stomach churned with nausea due to stress.

"I'm not hungry," Anna refused softly.

Damon's gaze turned icy cold. "I wasn't asking. I was commanding. That fetus needs nutrients."

The man picked up a bowl, spooned up some hot soup, and held it out to her. "Eat," he ordered again.

Anna turned her face away. "I don't want to."

BANG!

Damon slammed the spoon into the bowl, splashing the broth. With lightning speed, he gripped Anna's jaw, forcing her to look straight into those grey eyes.

"Listen," Damon hissed, his face only inches from hers. "Your body is no longer yours; everything belongs to me until that child is born. Open your mouth!" he barked.

Anna trembled violently. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she didn't dare resist. Finally, her lips parted.

Damon fed her roughly. His face was emotionless, as if he were refueling a car engine. However, when Damon's thumb accidentally brushed away a drop of soup at the corner of Anna's lip, a strange electric jolt ran through their skin.

He flinched slightly. Damon froze for a moment. The chronic back pain that constantly tormented him suddenly vanished just from that touch.

Damon pulled his hand back quickly, shaking off the sensation. "Finish it," he ordered stiffly.

After the bowl was empty, Anna gathered the courage to ask with a trembling voice. "Sir, that night at the hotel... was it really you?"

Damon put down the bowl. "If it was, so what?" he challenged without denying it.

Anna's breath hitched. "So it's true, you were the one who ruined me?"

"Ruined?" Damon smirked cynically, leaning closer. "More accurately, I saved you. You were the one running into my room because someone was chasing you. You were the one who climbed into my bed."

He whispered right into Anna's ear with a husky voice, "You even begged me to touch you, you Little Slut."

Anna's face flushed crimson with shame. Her heart felt like it was going to burst.

"Then why are you helping me now? Feeling guilty?"

"Don't be naive." Damon rolled up his sleeves higher, revealing strange purple bruises on his skin. "Hemophilia Regis. A rare blood disease. The doctor says I have two years left before my internal organs fail."

Damon stared at Anna's flat stomach. "This disease made me sterile. But who would have thought, my seed survived in your womb. That child's umbilical cord blood is my only cure."

"You're going to kill this child for medicine?" Anna backed away in terror until her back hit the headboard, hugging her stomach tightly. "No! I won't give up my child even if you are the biological father!"

"I only need the cord blood, not its life," Damon explained coldly.

Anna didn't care. Desperately, she ripped the IV out of her hand. Blood dripped onto the sheets. She jumped down and tried to run on shaking legs.

Damon didn't chase her. He simply tossed a tablet onto the bed casually.

"Go ahead. But check the fate of your orphanage first."

Anna's steps halted. The tablet screen displayed a live feed from a drone. Two excavators were roaring in front of the gates of the Mother’s Love Orphanage. Reymond was seen standing there, shouting commands.

"Reymond? What is he doing?"

"Your ex-fiancé is on a rampage," Damon explained without sympathy. "He bought the orphanage land an hour ago and is going to flatten it tonight to erase any trace of you."

"No! Stop him!" Anna screamed hysterically seeing the orphanage matron and the children running in fear.

"Give me one reason why I should care," Damon replied indifferently.

"I beg you," Anna sobbed, her body sliding to the floor.

Damon threw a thick folder and a pen in front of Anna. "Sign that contract. Marry me. Give birth to that child. In return, I stop Reymond in ten seconds."

Anna stared at the document titled MARRIAGE CONTRACT with bleary eyes. Her tears fell, soaking the paper.

"Ten seconds, Anna. Nine," Damon counted heartlessly. On the tablet screen, the orphanage fence began to crumble under the excavator's push.

"Enough! I'll sign it!"

Anna snatched the pen, scratching her signature with a trembling hand while sobbing violently. She had just handed her fate over to the devil.

Damon smiled in satisfaction, then called one of his subordinates. "Get Reymond out of there."

In an instant, the orphanage was safe. Anna slumped on the floor, all her energy seemingly drained away. Suddenly, Damon crouched in front of her. The man gripped Anna's chin, cornering her against the cold clinic wall.

Anna's heart raced wildly as that handsome face moved closer. Damon's gaze dropped to Anna's lips, then back to her eyes with a look that was hard to decipher. There was a mix of lust and an urgent need there.

Anna held her breath. Her body shook uncontrollably. Unconsciously, Anna squeezed her eyes shut, anticipating what would happen next.

However, no kiss landed. Only Damon's warm breath brushed against her ear.

"You're trembling?" Damon whispered in a mocking tone. "You even closed your eyes. Were you hoping I would kiss you?"

Anna opened her eyes, gasping in shock. Her face turned bright red with shame and anger.

Damon smirked with utter disdain, then stood up straight and moved away. Instantly, the coldness seized Damon's body again. The man frowned slightly, holding back the pain, but he hid it perfectly.

"Don't dream," Damon said coldly. "You are just an incubator for my child. Don't ever hope I will touch you again except for medical purposes."

Damon straightened his shirt, then turned his back on Anna.

"Rest. Starting tonight, you will live in my mansion. Enjoy your golden cage, my Wife."