Chapter 2
Instinctively, I looked over at Alaric.
His expression didn’t change as he calmly said to his mother, “She’s been taking medication to regulate her body. We’ll try for a child soon.”
His mother, Leah Middleton, let out a cold laugh, slamming her chopsticks onto the table.
“If it weren’t for the old matriarch forcing your marriage, do you really think you’d be here? Now that she’s gone, it’s your duty as the Middleton Family’s daughter–in–law to bear children. So, wipe that long face, who exactly are you trying to guilt?”
Suddenly, Ruby covered her mouth and let out a dry heave.
Without thinking twice, Alaric reached out to catch her.
Leah’s sullen expression instantly brightened. Her eyes darted between the two of them.
“Don’t tell me, you two!”
Ruby lowered her head, feigning shyness.
Alaric cast a brief glance in my direction, only to be met with an unreadable expression.
Leah gave me a sharp, unfriendly look.
“Some people have been married for years without even a whisper of good news, while others are only here for two or three months and already proving themselves.”
Alaric pulled me aside.
first
“Eleanor, don’t overthink this. This proves Ruby really did help cure me. This is my child! I can’t just abandon my responsibility. But we can raise the baby under our name,
alright?”
Watching him lie so effortlessly, without even blinking sent a sharp pain through my chest.
Then Leah’s voice rang out, louder than before.
“Since it’s Alaric’s child, as his wife, she should be the one to take good care of it! That’s her duty!”
Late that night, we returned to the villa. Alaric looked like he wanted to say something, but before he could speak, a loud knock shattered the silence.
“Mr. Alaric! Miss Ruby isn’t feeling well, she needs you right away!”
We rushed to Ruby’s residence.
“The doctor’s already seen her,” the housekeeper said respectfully. “It’s nothing serious, just a bit of fatigue. He recommended some rest and warm foot soaks to help her relax.”
The room fell into a sudden hush.
Half–reclined on the sofa, Ruby suddenly looked up at me.
“Then could Eleanor help me with the foot bath?”
Alaric looked at me awkwardly, clearly torn.
“Ruby, don’t be difficult. There are plenty of maids here. Let them do it. If not, I’ll help you
”
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Tue,
myself, alright?”
Ruby pouted and cast a suggestive glance at Alaric’s lower body. Her voice was sweet and
coy, “But you’ve already worked so hard today.”
Alaric’s breath hitched slightly. Then he turned to me and ordered,
“Eleanor, she’s pregnant, it’s inconvenient for her. You do it.”
I clenched my fists so tightly my knuckles turned white.
Just as I picked up the towel, Ruby suddenly swayed and let out a piercing scream,
“What are you doing?!”
Alaric shoved me away with full force. My forehead slammed into the corner of the table. A nearby vase shattered, sharp shards slicing into my skin as blood began to pour. “She’s trying to kill my baby!” Ruby shrieked, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I didn’t. I didn’t do anything!” I cried, panicked and trembling.
At the hospital, medical staff swarmed around Ruby, tending to her as if she were royalty. Leah burst in, rage blazing in her eyes. Without a word, she slapped me across the face. “You can’t even bear your own child and now you want to harm the Middleton Family’s grandson?!”
Alaric stepped in between us, “Mom, don’t”
Leah’s voice rose even higher. “You’ve spoiled her rotten! Letting a woman walk all over you, what good has it done?!”
Her shrill tone drew stares from those nearby. Someone even raised a phone and began filming.
Alaric lowered his voice and turned back to me, “Go home.”
I pressed a hand to my bleeding forehead and made my way downstairs. But just as I reached the first floor, my vision went black and I collapsed.
A passing nurse rushed to help and had me taken to the ER.
When the doctor called Alaric, the background noise was filled with the sound of servants doting on Ruby.
“Miss Ruby, have some fruit.”
“Let me massage your shoulders.”
Husband Destes
