Pregnant Without a Man

Before I could say another word, Ethan bent down and grabbed the shattered porcelain bowl of oatmeal off the floor. He shoved the shards and oatmeal straight into my mouth.

"Hazel and I have struggled to survive for the past three years. Yet, you've been leeching off the Moore family, living in comfort with that child in your belly! Well, let me make sure you get your fill today!" he barked.

I instantly choked, unable to speak. The sharp pieces of porcelain cut into the inside of my mouth, and blood gushed across my tongue.

I raised a hand to resist, but Hazel stomped her stiletto heel down hard on my hand.

Pain shot up my arm, and my hand trembled uncontrollably. I couldn't even cry out.

Ethan spat in my face after stuffing every bit of that oatmeal into my mouth. He then clapped his hands and stood up.

Hazel's stiletto heel shifted toward my swollen belly.

Terror gripped me. I grabbed her ankle with all the strength I had, trying desperately to stop her from stepping down.

Jeremiah has been infertile since birth. We finally conceived this child after we visited the best doctors across the country and abroad for three years.

Hazel looked down at me with a sneer. "Audrey, you look just like a dog protecting her pup. Pathetic."

Ethan frowned at my belly.

"If word gets out that I've been cheated on like this, how am I supposed to show my face in Beverton City? Step on it, Hazel. Crush that illegitimate child before it's born!"

I shook my head like mad. Blood and vomit spilled from my mouth as I choked out the words.

"This baby… This baby is Jeremiah's…"

Ethan froze before bursting into a maniacal laugh.

"Are you kidding me, Audrey? Everyone in Beverton knows my uncle has never touched a woman. He can't even have kids! Right now, I'm the only one left in the Moore family to carry on the bloodline. That's why Grandpa desperately wanted me to marry you and have kids."

Hazel chimed in, "Ethan is the only heir. Grandpa even cut off all his cards to force him back home and inherit the estate. Audrey, you're beyond shameless. How dare you drag Uncle Jeremiah into it after we've exposed you?"

Ethan had eloped with Hazel for three years and hadn't contacted the family once. His grandpa, David Moore, had given up on him completely. He had frozen all Ethan's accounts because he wanted to disown him.

But now, clearly, neither of them was in the right state of mind. To avoid provoking them, I didn't argue back.

I repeated, "I'm not lying. This baby really is Jeremiah's. I'll call him right now if you don't believe me."

I covered my belly with one hand and reached for the phone on the table with the other.

My baby and I would be safe if I could reach Jeremiah. He would come immediately to save me.

But just as I grabbed the phone, Ethan snatched it from my hand and smashed it.

The screen cracked into pieces, and I felt my heart sink with it.

He grabbed my chin and said, "My uncle's temper is unpredictable. Everyone in Beverton fears him. If he finds out I can't even handle a cheating wife, he'll think I'm worthless. He'll never hand the company over to me. Audrey, that's why you were trying to call him, right?"

I shook my head frantically. "No, the baby is…"

Before I could finish, Hazel stepped on my belly with the tip of her high heel.

"Why are you even wasting time on this woman, Ethan? Let's kill that baby and go earn some credit with Grandpa."

A wave of searing pain shot through my abdomen. I could feel the baby twisting in panic inside me, and terror—unlike anything I'd ever known—flooded my chest.

I looked up at them, pleading. "Please… Don't hurt my baby…"

Hazel lifted her phone and aimed it at me, saying, "Get on your knees, bark like a dog, and say you're filthy. Do that, and maybe I'll spare your baby."