Chapter 1

Ruby's POV

Three years ago, I married billionaire Joseph Miller and became the luckiest woman alive—or so everyone thought.

What they didn't know was my nightmare—I'd lost two babies in three years.

This was my third pregnancy, and I sat in the waiting area of St. Mary's Women's Clinic, hands clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms.

The first time, the doctor said the fetus showed developmental abnormalities. The second time, same story. Both times, right after the ultrasound.

Now I was terrified history would repeat itself.

The ultrasound room door opened. The technician walked out holding a report. My husband Joseph jumped from his seat. His parents, Margaret and Robert Miller, moved even faster.

All three of them surrounded the technician, completely blocking my view.

I stood up, trying to see the report, but Joseph had already snatched it from the technician's hands.

For just a moment, I caught sight of his face—his expression shifted from anticipation to something darker. Disappointment? No, colder than disappointment.

Margaret's face turned ashen. Robert's jaw clenched tight.

My heart dropped.

"No," I stepped back, voice shaking. "No, please, not again."

"Mrs. Miller," the technician approached me carefully, "I'm afraid the fetus is showing developmental abnormalities. I recommend immediate termination."

The words hit me like a slap across the face.

Other pregnant women in the waiting room whispered among themselves. Some looked at me with pity; others instinctively touched their own bellies.

"No," I shook my head frantically, tears already streaming down. "That's impossible. I've been SO careful this time—I took my folic acid, I rested every day, I followed all the rules—"

"Ruby." Joseph's voice cut me off. "You heard what he said."

"NO! This isn't real! I need to see that report!" I lunged forward, but Joseph jerked it up high, completely out of my reach.

"There's nothing to see," he snapped coldly. "Abnormal is abnormal."

"Let me SEE it!" I sobbed. "Joseph, PLEASE, I have a RIGHT—"

"Ruby, we can't have a defective child embarrassing the Miller family." Robert blocked my path.

Margaret stepped forward, frowning.

"Stop crying, Ruby. Getting hysterical like this isn't good for you. It'll affect your next pregnancy."

Next pregnancy.

The words made me sick.

"But—but the baby's FINE!" I choked out. "I can FEEL it—he's moving, he's healthy, I—"

"The test results say different," Joseph interrupted, then turned and walked away. "We're done here."

---

I waited outside the clinic's back entrance in the parking lot, exhausted. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the pavement. Joseph and his parents had gone inside to schedule the abortion, leaving me alone against the brick wall.

I'd cried myself dry, my body still shaking with silent sobs.

"Mrs. Miller?"

I jerked my head up.

A young nurse stood a few steps away. Amy—I thought that was her name. I'd seen her during previous appointments. She was trembling all over, hands wringing together nervously.

"Mrs. Miller, I—" She glanced back, as if checking whether anyone was watching. "I need to tell you something."

I wiped my face. "What?"

She moved closer, lowering her voice.

"Your first two pregnancies..." She swallowed hard. "They were perfectly healthy. Both of them."

The world spun.

"What?"

"They paid us to lie," her voice shook, tears filling her eyes. "Your in-laws... they bribed the doctors to say the babies had abnormalities. But the babies were fine. All the test results were NORMAL. This time too—"

"Wait." I grabbed her arm hard. "You're saying they LIED? My babies were okay?"

"Yes," she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Miller. I should have told you sooner, but I—I would've lost my job. They THREATENED me—"

"Amy!" I was practically screaming now. "Tell me! WHY? Why would they DO this?"

She trembled violently, yanking her arm free from my grip.

"I can't say more. I've already said too much. I'm sorry, I'm SORRY—"

She turned and ran, disappearing around the corner of the building.

"Amy! WAIT—"

But she was gone.

I started to chase after her, but the clinic door suddenly opened. Joseph walked out, his parents behind him.

"There you are," Joseph said flatly. "We've scheduled the procedure. Day after tomorrow, nine AM."

I stared at him in silence.

"Ruby?" Margaret's voice was sharp. "Are you LISTENING?"

"I heard." I forced myself to nod, then climbed into the car without another word.

I swore to myself: this time, I WOULD find out what was really going on.