Isabella Valentine stared at the torn note in her hand, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Victoria Windsor snatched the check from her grip. "Two million is enough for several designer bags."

"I want Adrian Sullivan's life!" Isabella shrieked hysterically.

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "Don't worry, darling. Mother will make sure you get what you want."

Two weeks later.

The two red lines on the pregnancy test burned Isabella's eyes.

Her hands trembled as she dialed Adrian's number.

"Who is this?" A sugary female voice answered.

Isabella's blood ran cold. "Where's Adrian?"

"He's showering." The woman chuckled. "Should I pass along a message?"

"Tell him I'm pregnant!"

Silence.

Then Adrian's indifferent voice cut through. "Didn't I tell you to take the pill?"

"You bastard!" Isabella shook with rage.

Adrian scoffed. "Grow up, Ms. Valentine. Adults take responsibility for their actions."

The call ended. Isabella hurled her phone against the wall.

Hospital corridor.

Isabella leaned against the wall, her face ghostly pale.

"That bitch ruined everything!" Her venomous gaze locked onto Sophia Laurent and Ethan Sullivan walking arm-in-arm down the hall.

Victoria's lips curled into a sinister smile. "She won't be smiling for long."

On the hundredth-day memorial of Sophia's grandmother.

Sophia returned to Dorset Village under heavy security.

After the ceremony, Ethan left early for business.

"Come home soon." He kissed her forehead goodbye.

The convoy sped down the highway.

Jack Anderson glanced at Sophia through the rearview mirror. "Should we pull over for a rest, ma'am?"

Sophia shook her head, unwrapping a sour plum.

Screeching tires shattered the silence.

A truck barreled toward them from a side road.

"Look out!" Jack wrenched the steering wheel.

The impact sent darkness swimming across Sophia's vision.

Her shaking fingers fumbled for the seatbelt, brushing against something warm and wet.

"Jack!" She stared in horror at the bloodied driver.

The truck accelerated for another hit.

At the last second, Jack swerved to meet it head-on.

Metal screamed.

A searing pain tore through Sophia's abdomen.

"The baby..." She clutched her stomach as blood seeped between her fingers.

Hospital hallway.

Ethan punched the wall, his knuckles splitting open.

The operating room lights dimmed.

The doctor removed his mask. "She's stable, Mr. Sullivan."

Ethan's throat worked. "And the baby?"

A solemn headshake.

Hospital room.

Sophia stared at the white ceiling, her eyes empty.

"Let's get divorced." Her whisper barely stirred the air.

Ethan's head snapped up. "What?"

"I'm tired." Tears slid down her temples. "So tired."

He gripped her icy hand. "Don't do this—"

"Set me free." Her voice feathered away. "Set yourself free too."

Outside, twilight swallowed the world.