Vowed from the womb

Please… don’t do this.” My voice trembled as I dropped to my knees, one hand clutching my swollen belly. Tears streamed down my face as I looked up at my husband. “You know the kind of man he is, Matthew,” I whispered desperately. “He may smile in public, but you know what he’s capable of. Please… don’t borrow money from him.” Matthew sighed and quickly helped me up, guiding me gently to the sofa. “I’m sorry, Lisa,” he said softly. “I didn’t have a choice. If I hadn’t done it, the company would have collapsed. Everything we built… gone overnight.” A chill ran through me. “What do you mean… if you hadn’t?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Matthew avoided my eyes. “I already took the loan,” he admitted. “Three weeks ago.” For a moment, the world went silent. “Tell me you’re joking,” I said slowly. He didn’t respond. The look on his face said everything. Anger surged through me. Before I could stop myself, my hand connected with his face once… twice. “How could you?” I cried. “You made a decision like that without telling me? Do you even care about me? About our child?” “I’m sorry, Lisa…” he said, still in shock. “Sorry won’t fix this!” I snapped, pulling away from him. “Just go. Leave I don’t want to see you right now.” He hesitated, then quietly picked up his car keys and walked out. The door had barely shut when a sharp pain tore through my body. I gasped, gripping the edge of the sofa. Another wave came stronger this time. “No… it’s too early…” I whispered. I wasn’t due for another month. Then I felt it. A warm liquid running down my legs. Fear gripped me. Unable to endure the pain, I screamed And everything went black. Matthew had just reached his car when he froze. A faint scream echoed from inside the house. At first, he tried to ignore it, thinking it was just anger… just tears. Then he heard it again. This time, it wasn’t anger. It was fear. “Lisa?” Panic surged through him as he ran back inside. The sight that greeted him made his heart stop. She lay on the floor… motionless… surrounded by blood. “Lisa!” he shouted, rushing to her side. His hands trembled as he dialed for help. The hospital lights were too bright. Too cold. Matthew sat beside her bed, gripping her hand tightly, his mind racing with guilt and fear. A nurse approached him. “You’re Mr. Green?” she asked. “Yes,” he replied quickly. “The doctor said you need to make a payment so treatment can continue.” Matthew nodded, barely hearing her. He leaned down and kissed the back of Lisa’s hand. “I’ll be right back,” he whispered. He didn’t know it would be the last thing he ever said to her. Lisa slowly opened her eyes. Everything felt heavy… distant. “You’re awake.” The voice was unfamiliar. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain stopped her. “Don’t strain yourself,” the man said calmly. He stepped into view. Tall. Composed. Watching her like he already knew everything. “I am Christopher Stone,” he said. “The man your husband borrowed money from.” The name alone sent a wave of fear through her. Then his next words shattered her completely. “Your husband is dead.” The world spun. Tears filled her eyes instantly. “You… you killed him,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You’re a monster…” A quiet chuckle escaped his lips. “You give me too much credit,” he said coolly. “He died in a car accident… on his way back here.” He placed a card beside her. “I’ve settled your hospital bills.” Lisa stared at him, trembling. “Why…?” she asked weakly. Christopher’s expression didn’t change. “Because debts must be paid,” he said. His gaze shifted to her stomach. “And yours… is just beginning.” Fear wrapped tightly around her heart as his words sank in. “I’ll return someday,” he continued calmly. “When the time comes… what belongs to me will be mine.” He turned and walked toward the door. “Take care of the child,” he added without looking back. “You’ll both have a role to play.” The door closed softly behind him. Leaving silence. And a future she could not escape.