Love Died Before I Did

Forced to Come

Christian found me three days later.

I had just finished sorting out my passport when he saw a man escorting me into a car. His expression darkened instantly. He stormed over, yanked the door open, and dragged me out.

The man looked worried, but I only said, "Please go ahead without me, sir." He sighed, then left.

Christian took me into his car. His voice was rough when he spoke. "That baby isn't happening. I'll make sure of it."

He threw an ultrasound report at me. The fetus showed serious abnormalities, and the doctor had recommended termination.

For a moment, memory pulled me backward.

Christian had once sworn that he would only ever have children with me. He said I was his only love. If any other woman ever carried his child, he would curse the baby himself before letting it come into the world.

That curse finally became his reckoning. He had silently accepted Jasmine's pregnancy, and the sorrow in his eyes was unmistakable.

I felt no sympathy. Only cold amusement. "Suit yourself. You're rich enough to keep the baby alive if you want to."

My reaction came as a surprise. When I tried to leave, he grabbed my chin and forced me to meet his eyes.

"Why didn't you take my call? Why were you messing with another man?"

The fury in his eyes didn't burn my icy resolve. My voice came out as a hiss. "You have no right to ask me that. And this is the last time we see each other. Don't come near me again."

Christian didn't have an outburst, nor did he argue. Instead, he stared at me closely. In the end, he was sure he had me in his palm, and he chuckled.

"Is this your new trick? Staying quiet and planning your departure? But where can you even go if you don't have me backing you up?"

I returned his question with an unsettling stare. In the end, he was the first to look away.

I snickered. So this was how a couple wallowing in resentment ended up. I used to think this would never happen to me and Christian. Time had taught me otherwise.

I left the car, and Christian stepped on the gas without even hesitating. His car zoomed off, scraping the skin off my calf. I wondered if he was in a hurry to make love to someone in that jasmine garden.

Though my leg was injured, I still staggered back home. As I passed a lemon grove, ripe fruit fell around me, stirring memories I thought I had buried.

The bells chimed, and papers carrying messages of love fluttered from the garden.

'I love you so, so much, Nat!'

'I can't imagine what life would be like without you!'

The ink wasn't as vibrant as the day the words were written, and the papers were taking on a shade of yellow. It was an oath Christian wrote back when we were madly in love.

But the young, passionate man I once knew had long since been swallowed by the decadence and temptations of Imperia.

…

Three days before the departure. Christian had his assistant take me on a luxury cruise ship by force. His company's team-building event, but he never allowed me to take part.

His reason? To keep a close eye on me so I wouldn't mess things up.

It was plain now. Christian couldn't care less about my feelings. He didn't bother holding back and brought Jasmine home.

The woman was wearing a jacket on the outside, but underneath was a see-through outfit. She was going commando.

Jasmine would let out exaggerated giggles from time to time. Christian banged on my door after he was done messing with Jasmine. "Hey, make me a drink! I'm thirsty!"

I opened the door, still groggy from sleep.Then I looked at him with complete indifference. "You've been busy for quite a while," I said flatly. "Was she still not enough for you?"