Chapter 2

Before I could finish, Tristan shoved the bowl of gourmet soup, along with its broken pieces, into my mouth.

"Brianna and I have been struggling for the past three years, while you've been living the high life here, all because of that bastard in your belly!"

"I'll make you eat your fill today!"

I choked immediately, unable to speak as the sharp ceramic pieces cut into my mouth, drawing blood.

As I tried to resist, Brianna dug her sharp heel into the back of my hand.

My entire hand throbbed with pain, but I couldn't even cry out.

After force-feeding me the entire bowl of soup, Tristan spat on me before standing up.

Brianna moved her stiletto-clad foot to my protruding belly.

Terrified, I desperately grabbed her ankle, preventing her from stepping down.

Lucas was infertile, and this child was the result of three years of visiting specialists both domestically and abroad.

Brianna's face wore a mocking smile, "Riley, you look just like a mother dog protecting her pups. How ugly."

Tristan frowned at my belly, "If word gets out that I've been cuckolded, how can I show my face in the city again? Brianna, crush that bastard in her belly!"

I shook my head frantically, spitting out the contents of my mouth along with blood, struggling to say, "The child... in my belly... is Lucas's..."

Tristan paused, then burst into laughter.

"Riley, you're really terrible at lying! Everyone in the city knows my uncle avoids women and is sterile."

"Right now, I'm the only one who can continue the Hawthorne line. Why else do you think Grandfather was so eager for me to marry you and produce an heir?"

Brianna chimed in, "Alex is the only Hawthorne heir. Grandfather stopped his cards to force him to come back and inherit the family business."

"You're ridiculous, trying to pin this on Uncle Lucas after we exposed your lies."

Tristan and Brianna had eloped for three years without even a phone call home. Grandfather Hawthorne was truly disappointed in him, which was why he cut off Tristan's funds and wanted to sever ties with him.

But seeing them both in such an irrational state, I didn't argue to avoid provoking them further.

I repeated, "I'm not lying. The child really is Lucas's."

"If you don't believe me, I can call Lucas to confirm."

With one hand protecting my belly, I reached for my phone on the table.

If I could just contact Lucas, he would rush over to save me and the baby.

But just as I grabbed the phone, Tristan snatched it away and smashed it on the ground.

Seeing the screen shatter into pieces, my heart sank.

Tristan grabbed my chin and said, "My uncle is unpredictable and feared by everyone in the city as the Ice King."

"If he finds out I can't even handle being cuckolded, he'll think I'm useless and won't pass the company to me."

"Riley, isn't that why you wanted to call my uncle?"

I shook my head quickly, "No, the baby I'm carrying is..."

Before I could finish, Brianna pressed her heel into my stomach, "Alex, why waste words on this slut? Let's quickly get rid of the bastard in her belly and go report to Grandfather."

A sharp pain shot through my abdomen, and I could feel the baby moving frantically inside. I was filled with unprecedented panic.

I looked at them pleadingly, "Please, spare my child..."

Brianna took out her phone and pointed it at me, "If you kneel down and bark like a dog twice, then say you're a promiscuous bitch, I'll spare the child in your belly."