A love that failed to survive — Episode 7

The year my father’s affair led to my mother’s death, I hated him with all my soul. To appease me, he sent Victor Young, the man I loved for ten years, to my bed. After one night, I fell deeply in love. Three months in, convinced by him, I forgave my father. By the fourth month, I was pregnant. I became the most pampered pregnant woman in Beverly Hills. At every prenatal checkup, they waited in the hospital hallway. Everyone said my husband and father treated me like a princess. But on the day of the big ultrasound, neither appeared. 'We have an important project to discuss,' my father said sweetly, stroking my hair. Victor gently patted my belly. 'When we finish, I'll bring gifts for you and the baby.' I smiled as they left, but before my appointment, I received an anonymous video. In it, my father wore a groom's suit beside Morgana Ashford, the woman who caused my mother's death. Beside her stood her illegitimate daughter, visibly pregnant and dressed in a wedding gown, arm-in-arm with Victor Young. 'Double happiness!' someone cheered in the video, raising a glass. 'Congratulations to Mr. Hunter for finding true love, and to Mr. Young for finding the perfect partner!' Finally, my father's voice: 'Your fake marriage contract with Emily doesn't count. When her baby is born, it will be illegitimate.' Victor laughed softly. 'Emily has everything, and Isabella grew up as an illegitimate child. I can't bear for her child to suffer the same fate.' I bit my lip, holding back tears leaving the hospital, but my phone vibrated. A sterilization certificate appeared on the screen with a text: 'If you so wish, the child in your womb will be my only heir.'