If it hadn’t been on purpose, why had Sienna left the door cracked? Why hadn’t she even tried to muffle those shameless moans?
Natalie’s finger hit the record button before she could think.
Sienna giggled, leaning in close. “Natalie, I’m taking everything from you—Mom, Dad, Victor, Xavier, even your precious Jason.”
That alluring smile of hers grew a little wider. “Remember this—whatever you fight for, I can take it from you like it’s nothing. You’ll always be under my heel.”
The sound of Sienna’s breathy moans came back to Natalie, and those same images she’d imagined flooded her mind all over again.
Then, she remembered Jason’s words outside the hospital room. He was willing to go that far for Sienna.
Natalie and Jason had been together for three years, but had she ever meant anything to him?
Anger surged in her chest, burning away the pain. She couldn’t hold back any longer. Her hand shot toward Sienna’s face.
But her fingers had barely grazed Sienna’s cheek when a sharp gasp rang out. Then, came the heavy thuds of something hitting the floor.
Natalie stood still, her mind racing to make sense of what had just happened.
Out of nowhere, footsteps pounded toward her. Before she could react, a hard slap cracked across her face, sending her stumbling to the ground.
Jason’s eyes were wild with anger. “Natalie, have you lost it? How could you do something like this? I knew you were jealous of Sienna, but I never thought you’d actually push her down the stairs. You make me sick, Natalie!”
His furious roar cut through the air, his temples throbbing as he stared Natalie down with pure ice in his eyes.
Natalie’s lips twisted into a mocking smile. A sudden chill ran down her spine, making her body tremble violently.
This was the man she’d loved with all her heart. Now, he was ready to condemn her without even hearing her out. He’d once pretended to be decent, but the moment Sienna came into the picture, he didn’t even bother to keep up the act.
How ridiculous.
Natalie’s chest burned, the pain so deep that it went numb. “Jason, would you trust me if I told you I didn’t push her?”
Jason’s face was grim, his sharp gaze cutting through her like she was something vile. “Why would I trust you?”
Without another word, he sprinted downstairs and swept Sienna into his arms. Her face twisted in agony.
Daphne and Victor came running when they heard the commotion.
Daphne was beside herself. “What happened? Sienna, what’s wrong?”
Sienna was still conscious, though her face had gone pale. She grabbed Daphne’s hand. “Mom, I’m fine. Don’t be mad at Natalie. She didn’t mean to.”
The second the words left Sienna’s mouth, Daphne’s eyes locked onto Natalie with a chilling glare.
Daphne didn’t even get a chance to speak before Victor charged forward and drove his foot into Natalie’s ribs. He was always quick to anger, and now, his face twisted with rage as he stared at her down.
“Natalie, Mom’s right. You’re such an ungrateful snake. Ever since Sienna came back, you’ve done nothing but target her. What’s wrong with you? How can you be so cruel?
“Did our family waste all our kindness raising you, Natalie? Why did that car crash three years ago only take your eyes? Why didn’t it just take you instead?”
Why hadn’t it taken her?
Natalie collapsed to the floor, steadying herself with one hand while clutching her stomach with the other. A deep, relentless ache pulsed there, but it was nothing compared to the cold, empty void that spread through her whole body.
The pain stole her voice, leaving her too weak to defend herself. Not that it would’ve made a difference. Even if she could speak, no one there would believe her.
The sound of footsteps around Natalie grew quieter until they disappeared completely. Everyone had left with Sienna, heading to the hospital.
She stayed where she was, alone, her lips colorless. Nobody cared enough to check on her.
It took a long moment before she finally gripped the banister for support and started down the stairs, moving one careful step at a time. She looked so fragile that even the slightest breeze could carry her off.
The maids watched without a word. None of them spoke, but their gazes held unmistakable sympathy.
…
After a full checkup at the hospital, the doctors confirmed Sienna only had minor soft tissue injuries.
But the Spencers weren’t taking any chances. They insisted she stay the night at the hospital for monitoring, worried there could be any hidden complications.
Daphne tended to her every need, while Victor meticulously cut up fruit for her. Jason, meanwhile, rushed back and forth, lining up specialists for consultations.
Victor handed Sienna a freshly peeled orange, his eyes heavy with pain. “This is all because of that ungrateful snake. How could she do something so cruel? She wanted Sienna dead. I’m calling the cops. She’s going to jail.”
As Victor went for his phone, Sienna stopped him. “Victor, don’t. She’s still family. It doesn’t have to go that far. I’m fine, really. Just forgive Natalie.”
Daphne had no intention of letting it slide. Her voice was laced with venom as she spoke, “That ungrateful snake might still be a Spencer, and sure, a scandal would reflect badly on us. But after what she did to Sienna? I’ll make sure she regrets it. She won’t forget this.”
Victor agreed instantly, “Yeah, Mom’s right.”
Sienna softened her tone, playing the saint. “Mom, Victor, maybe we should just drop it. I’ve already forgiven Natalie. Honestly, I even understand why she did it. She thinks I’m trying to steal your affection.
“But all I ever wanted was to be with my family. I wasn’t trying to take anything from her. Eventually, she’ll realize I’m not here to hurt her.”
Victor snorted, his face twisting in disdain. “Her? She’s rotten to the core. There’s no fixing someone like that. Sienna, you’re too nice. That’s why she keeps pushing you around.”
Jason came back just then.
Sienna’s eyes locked onto him instantly. “Jason.”
He set the lab report aside, his gaze full of concern. “Are you still in pain?”
Sienna beamed at him. “Not even a little. Jason, please don’t argue with Natalie when we get home. I believe she didn’t mean to push me down the stairs.”
Jason stayed silent, as though he already knew if it was on purpose.
From the moment the Spencers took Sienna back in, Natalie had been gunning for her at every opportunity. Even before their marriage, Jason had found Natalie impossible to tolerate.
After they tied the knot, Natalie moved out of the Spencer residence, and the two of them lived together. For three years, he’d played the part of the devoted husband, almost fooling himself into forgetting who she really was.
But some things never changed.
A slight crease formed between Jason’s brows as he spoke, his voice low but resolute, “Sienna, I’ll make this right for you.”
…
The night was chilly, and a harsh north wind began to wail just past midnight.
Natalie lay on the icy operating table.
The surgeon snapped his gloves into place and paused before administering the anesthesia. “Ms. Spencer, you can still change your mind. Are you sure you don’t want to keep this baby?”
Natalie rested a hand on her stomach, sensing the baby’s pulse in sync with hers for the final time. A tear slipped free.
A quiet, strained hum rose in her throat. Then, she pressed her eyes closed.
…
After the surgery, Natalie remained gripped by an icy chill she couldn’t shake.
Buried under layers of blankets, she curled into a tight ball, alone in the hollow quiet of the hospital room. No life stirred there except hers.
She wanted water, but her body wouldn’t obey. Jaw set, she willed her trembling hand toward the cup on the bedside table, only for her fingers to barely touch it before it tipped over.
What was left of the water ran down the side of the table, and suddenly, Natalie felt completely helpless. Her throat tightened, and her nose stung as tears threatened to spill.
Then, she heard the muffled conversation of two nurses walking past her door, and her heart sank even further.
