He Caged Me, Just to Guard His Lover

Chapter 6

I had no idea how much time had passed before I woke up, the sharp reek of disinfectant burning my nose.

The moment I opened my eyes, my heart lurched—I instinctively reached for my abdomen.

The IV needle tugged at my hand, startling Julian awake where he'd been slumped beside the bed.

He lifted his head, his jaw rough with stubble. A flash of relief crossed his face before hardening into fury. "Mia," he said, his voice razor-sharp, "did you even know you were pregnant?"

My body screamed like it'd been run over by a truck. Gritting my teeth, I forced out, "Is the baby okay?"

His lip curled. "You dare ask? If anything happens to that child, you'll pay for it."

"I didn't choose this..." I began, but his voice sliced through me.

"If you want to die, fine. But don't take my child with you."

The words stabbed deep. I swallowed my excuses, steadying myself. "This is my child. I decide what happens to it."

Julian leaned back in his chair, delivering the blow coolly. "Once it's born, I'm giving it to Winnie to raise."

The words hit me like a punch. My fingers clenched the sheets until they turned white. "What did you say?"

I hadn't even decided whether to keep it—but hand my baby to Winnie? Never.

He knew the pain of growing up without a mother. Even if he hated me, how could he be this cruel to his own child?

"Your bloodline's tainted," he said, cold as an executioner. "A child needs someone pure like Winnie to raise it properly."

I looked at him—this polished, heartless stranger—and knew it was over.

Julian mistook my silence for consent. His expression softened as he stroked my belly, murmuring, "Don't worry. We'll live together from now on—you won't be separated from the child."

I closed my eyes, refusing to waste another word on him. After all, this charade would soon be over.

Julian had carefully selected an auspicious day for his engagement to Winnie.

The evening of the banquet was stifling, the air thick and suffocating. Thick clouds smothered the moon, leaving not a sliver of light in the sky.

As the event began, the overhead lights dimmed, and a spotlight swept across the grand staircase. There stood Julian, his tailored suit accentuating his flawless frame. He turned, extending his hand with eyes brimming with adoration.

Beside him appeared Winnie, innocent as a white lily. The diamonds on her ivory mermaid dress sparkled with every graceful step, dazzling under the glow.

From the shadows, I watched as Julian slid the ring onto her finger, lifting their clasped hands high. The gemstone blazed under the lights, a bitter contrast to the past.

Just then, I remembered the crude ring he'd once woven for me from twigs at eighteen.

His face had turned red as he fumbled to slip it onto my finger, pressing a shy kiss to my cheek. "Mia," he'd vowed, voice earnest, "once we escape the Carter family, we'll never be apart."

That twig ring had long since crumbled to dust—just like his promises.

Without thinking, I touched my bare ring finger, lost in thought. I didn't notice the conflicted glance Julian threw my way, or the hate-filled stare Winnie shot in my direction.

Arm in arm, they descended the stairs, like a fairytale couple.

The guests burst into applause, cheers and praises filling the air.

"What a perfect pair!"

"Julian dotes on Winnie so much—I'm so jealous!"

Preening under the envious stares of the crowd like a proud white swan, Winnie glided over arm-in-arm with a stranger. With fake sweetness, she introduced, "Mia, this is my cousin Sean Miller. Since you're both single, why not get acquainted?"

Sean—an unremarkable, middle-aged man in his forties—gave me a sleazy once-over as he thrust out his hand. "Mia, I've heard so much about you."

I didn't need to turn around to feel Julian's death glare drilling into my back.

Then Winnie subtly flashed the dog collar in her hand.

For Kuro's sake, I shook Sean's sweaty hand. "Hello."

"Mia!" Julian yanked me against his chest, his brows knitted in fury. "How desperate can you be?"

Before I could react, Winnie clutched her chest with a fake gasp. "Oof!"

Julian immediately released me, all concern. "Winnie? What's wrong?"

She melted into his arms, whimpering, "My heart... Brother, you wouldn't deny Mia and my cousin some privacy, would you?"

Julian's arms tightened around her automatically. Forcing a smirk, he spat, "A b***h like her should be lucky your cousin would look her way."

I walked away without a backward glance.

My coldness must have spooked him. Julian caught my wrist, offering empty words. "Mia, even after marrying Winnie, things between us won't change."

I shoved him away hard, my laugh sharp with bitterness.

Julian, you clueless fool. There is no "us" anymore.