Chapter 4 4

TAYLOR'S POV

Alexander visibly tensed, his normally indifferent tone now sounded unusually cold. "Don't ask so many questions. If not, you'll soon see what will happen to your child."

He walked briskly towards the bedroom, leaving me on my own.

"Isn't the child in my womb also yours? You're his father too. How can you be so heartless to treat him this way even before he's born?" I exclaimed in anger.

Alexander paused at the doorway, turned to face me, and examined my pained expression. Something seemed to tighten within him, a strange sensation he couldn't quite explain.

"Your child will be safe, I assure you."

I found it hard to believe his assurance. With a scoff, I responded, "Alexander, how can you be so cruel? He's also your child. Premature birth carries risks. How can you guarantee his safety? What guarantee do you have? You're acting like a heartless father."

"It appears you have some serious mental issues. Someone else will take care of the child," he replied coldly.

"If that's really your intention, then I won't bring our child into the world to suffer. I won't have it."

Alexander's gaze turned icy as he warned, "I dare you to do that. Do you want to gamble with your entire family? If you act recklessly, I can make the Parker family lose everything, or even make them disappear completely."

With that, he shot me a look of disdain, turned, and left the villa.

I sank to the floor, feeling helpless. My eyes were dry, and I was all cried out.

Once my tears had run their course, I retreated from everyone, seeking refuge in solitude.

Now, in a private clinic.

Lying on the cold operating table, I stared up at the sterile white ceiling above.

"You're over five months along, and it's a boy. Inducing labor at this stage is risky," the experienced doctor advised, trying to dissuade me.

But I was resolute. "Doctor, I've made up my mind. Please proceed."

I clenched my trembling hands, tears streaming down my face.

Thinking about the baby inside me, I hesitated for a moment, almost ready to flee from the hospital. But I forced myself to stay put.

"Very well, since you've decided to terminate the pregnancy, let's begin."

The doctor prepared the anesthesia. Just as the needle was about to pierce my skin, the operating room door swung open suddenly.

Alexander stormed in, his anger palpable.

His eyes blazed with fury. Approaching the table with an air of rage, he looked down at me and hissed, "Taylor, do you think I was just spouting empty threats?"

He then turned to his assistant and ordered, "Sell all of the Parker family's stocks from now on."

"Yes, Mr. Grant."

Turning his gaze back to me, he sneered, "I can easily dismantle the Parker family's wealth and even make them vanish from this city. The choice is yours. Don't underestimate me; this is just a small punishment."

I gently cradled my stomach, feeling the little life inside.

Just moments ago, I had feigned strength, but Alexander's timely intervention had shattered my façade.

I had nearly endangered my own child!

Thankfully, Alexander's arrival had saved the child.

Raising my head, I softly expressed my gratitude to the furious Alexander Grant. "Thank you."

He seemed momentarily taken aback, then seemed to understand.

Without uttering a word, he arranged for me to be taken back to the villa, where I was confined and unable to leave.

The days became calm once again.

I focused on taking care of myself and my child, feeling the gentle movements and finding solace in the warmth and joy.

Time flew, and before I knew it, a month had passed.

My child was now six months along, and the impending deadline of seven months weighed heavily on my mind.

With each passing day, my anxiety deepened.

Alexander's visits grew more frequent, and each time, I'd discuss the baby's movements and chat about future plans for the child.

I hoped my words would sway him, preventing my child from being born prematurely. I was making a final attempt.

Sadly, it seemed to be in vain. As the deadline neared, my hopes waned.

One day, I sat by the pool, lost in thought, enjoying the warmth of the sun. In the distance, I heard a voice, "What a serene scene."

Turning, I saw Raven. In her arms was a young boy. His presence felt oddly unfamiliar.

This child must be the Henry they talked about, I surmised.

However, he didn't quite resemble Alexander or Raven. It struck me as odd.

Raven gently placed the child down to play by himself before approaching me with a cold smile. "Your peaceful days won't last much longer. Savor these final moments."

...

AUTHOR'S POV

Taylor closed her eyes, basking in the warm sunshine, and lazily asked, "What do you do when you have nothing to do?"

"To see you, of course. To witness your last good moments."

Thinking about Taylor's upcoming troubles, she chuckled with satisfaction.

Taylor remained unfazed, her words devoid of emotion. "Look, I'm staying positive. Is it time to move on?"

Raven sneered, looking around. "Do you really think you're in charge here? Soon, none of this will be yours. Ultimately, it all belongs to me."

Taylor opened her eyes, stared at Raven, and slowly replied, "As long as I'm here, I'm still the one in control. Until I leave, you'll always be the other woman, shameless."

Raven winced. Her smile faded, her eyes turned venomous. She glared at Taylor and hissed, "Compared to me, you're no better! Who knows where you'd be if you hadn't landed in someone else's bed?"

Taylor sneered, "Do you not remember what happened before?"

"I drugged you, yes, but I didn't arrange for you to end up in Alexander's bed. You're just as shameless."

Raven despised what had happened years ago. She resented that she hadn't prevented Taylor from getting close to Alexander. If not for that, she might have been the one in control now.

During that time, Mr. Grant had taken an interest in Taylor and intended for her to marry Alexander. This infuriated Raven, who wanted Alexander for herself and didn't want anyone else to take him away.

So, she schemed to drug Taylor and set her up with someone else, ruining her reputation. This would prevent the Parker family from allowing her, a tarnished woman, to marry into their family.

But unexpectedly, fate took a different turn, leading to Taylor marrying Alexander.

At that time, she despised Taylor.

Taylor retorted, "You used to claim we were best friends. If I reveal to Alexander how you manipulated things back then, I wonder how he'll perceive you."

Not one to back down, Raven shot back, "Hah, it all comes down to whether he believes your words."

Taylor fell silent, realizing that he would never believe her version of events.

Raven continued, "Your problem is that you won't be believed. He'll think you have ulterior motives."

Taylor slowly refocused. She let go of the thought and wearily said, "I need to rest. If mocking me brings you joy, then congrats on your successful mission…"

Her eyes closed again, as if ignoring Raven's presence inching closer.

Suddenly, Raven whispered in her ear, "Do you know why Alexander wants you to have his baby?"

Taylor's eyes snapped open, glaring angrily. "Raven, don't overestimate yourself. Just because Alexander loves you doesn't mean you're superior in my eyes."

She refused to let anyone, even herself, use her child to gain significance.

Unfazed by Taylor's anger, Raven chuckled, "Is this getting under your skin? I thought you were immune."

She leaned in, still grinning, and whispered, "Alexander wants you to have his baby not just to save Henry."

Taylor studied her suspiciously.

Raven enjoyed her doubt and added, "You know me so well after being best friends for years. You might not believe me, but others might, especially Alexander. And he really does believe it. So, you becoming pregnant and saving Henry was all because of his love for me. Surprising, right?"

With a scornful look, Raven concluded, "He's infatuated with me."

Taylor scoffed, "If you want me to believe that, you're delusional."

Raven grinned, "You've been my best friend for years, and now you really understand me. Whether you believe it or not, someone else does— Alexander Grant. And he really made you pregnant. Well, because I've had a history of hysteromyoma after giving birth to Henry. It was risky for me to get pregnant. So, ha ha..."

Taylor stared at Raven, trying to decipher her intentions. After a moment, she said, "You're lying!"

She was sure the truth was more complex than Raven's story. She knew this woman too well.

Raven looked at Taylor with disdain. "If you're interested, I could share more."

Then, her expression turned resentful, and she paused before continuing, "Henry was born after I left. He was scared and anxious. Later, I took care of him. After eight months, he was diagnosed with leukemia during a checkup."