Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Joanne Morgan's pov

As soon as Brian Locke said "Shut up," I knew-my chance had come.

I hooked my toe around his ankle and kicked hard, using his forward momentum to propel the blow-slamming my foot into Sophia Reed's chest. She stumbled back, clinging to the doorframe to stay upright, her face as white as paper, sweat dripping down her temples.

I saw the dusty shoe print on her chest, like an ugly stamp on her fancy silk blouse. A secret thrill surged in me-like a kid sneaking candy.

Brian flew into a rage, his calm completely shattered. But not for Sophia-for me, hurt by that "hooker" comment. Of course. Men like him couldn't stand the people they protected being looked down on.

Sophia tilted her head and laughed, her eyes like poisoned knives: "Brian Locke, why aren't you dead?"

Before she finished speaking, she lunged at him-suddenly brandishing a box cutter, the blade glinting toward his chest.

Second time. This woman was truly crazy.

I shrank back behind Brian, watching him stumble away, clutching his wound, his eyes wide with disbelief. Even after Uncle and Aunt Locke pulled Sophia off him, he kept staring at her, his voice shaking: "You really... want me dead?"

Sophia's eyes were terrifyingly red. Her lips moved, like she wanted to say something. But Aunt Locke's scream cut her off: "She's bleeding! So much blood!"

I followed her finger-Sophia's white dress was spreading with bright red, like poppies blooming in snow, seeping from her abdomen down to her legs.

"Sophia Reed!" Brian suddenly rushed over and held her, his voice panicking-a tone I'd never heard before. "What's wrong? Get the car! Hurry!"

He tried to lift her, but Sophia clung to the railing like a vice, her voice faint: "Bodyguard... take me to the hospital... bodyguard..."

"I'll take you! You'll be okay!" Brian pried at her hands, his knuckles shaking, but she held on, determined.

"I don't trust you!" she screamed suddenly, tears mixing with sweat. "You've never cared about me... Bodyguard! Help me!"

Only when the female bodyguard took her hand did Sophia go limp, fainting completely.

Brian carried her downstairs. I watched his back, something sharp digging into my chest. The way he looked down at Sophia-so focused-it scared me.

Back in the hospital room, I pulled out my phone and flipped through photos I'd saved.

Photos of him sleeping beside my hospital bed, his profile soft in the light; photos of him rushing over in his patient gown, his hair messy but his eyes only on me; photos of him peeling an apple for me, the skin in one long, thin strip- I'd made him do it on purpose, just to send to Sophia.

I typed fast, sending her the photos one by one:

The day I miscarried, Brian Locke stayed by my bed the whole time. He fell asleep like this, leaning over.

I called him at night, said I was heartbroken about losing the baby. He came right over to comfort me-still in his patient gown.

I said my stomach felt off just now, and he fed me porridge and peeled fruit for me. Ms. Jade, did you know your husband is amazing at peeling fruit with a knife?

The second I hit send, I could picture Sophia gritting her teeth on the other side of the screen. She'd never seen Brian like this, had she? The man who'd always been cold to her, cooking for me, rushing over just because I said I was upset.

Finally, I added: You looked so 可怜,bleeding like that-almost dying. I'll tell Brian Locke to come check on you.

Half-truth, half-lie. I felt sorry for her, but I wanted her to see who Brian's heart really belonged to.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before the door opened. Brian walked in, his brow furrowed, red-rimmed eyes, a faint smell of blood clinging to him.

He stood by Sophia's bed, his gaze dark-like an ocean hiding in his eyes. I couldn't read his emotions, only felt how strange they were.

The attending doctor walked in just then. Brian hurried over, his voice hoarse: "Why... why is she bleeding so much?"

The doctor froze, looking at Brian, then at Sophia's pale face on the bed. He hesitated: "Sir, your wife..."

My heart dropped. I leaned in quietly and heard the rest: "She had an abortion not long ago. Her body hasn't recovered. With the emotional stress and the physical impact... she didn't even get proper rest after the procedure."

Abortion?

I looked up at Brian sharply. His face turned white instantly, his pupils shrinking-like he'd been punched hard.

So Sophia had been pregnant with his baby too.

So the day she smashed his phone, she'd just lost a child.

No wonder she'd gone crazy. No wonder she'd screamed Why aren't you dead?...

Brian's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white, his breathing unsteady. When he looked at Sophia, his eyes held something I couldn't read-shock, regret, even a trace of... compassion?

I suddenly felt scared.

The man I thought I had firmly in my grasp had a past I knew nothing about-hidden where I couldn't see. And Sophia Reed, the woman I'd trampled on, had once been a part of his life-deeper than I could imagine.

I grabbed Brian's sleeve instinctively, whispering: "Brian Locke, I don't feel well..."

He snapped out of it, his eyes avoiding mine slightly. He patted my hand: "I'll get the nurse."

Then he turned to Sophia's bed, but his feet were rooted to the spot, not moving.

Moonlight streamed through the window, falling on Sophia's pale face. Her eyebrows were furrowed, like she was having a nightmare.

I looked at Brian's back. Suddenly, I realized-this battle I'd thought I'd already won had only just begun.