Chapter 2
702 Words
Fallen Annie was still holding onto the cabinet door.
Seeing the bookcase about to collapse onto her belly, I rushed over and shielded her with my body.
So the heavy cabinet, along with dozens of books, crashed down on me.
The next second, Allen rushed in.
He didn't even look at me. He helped Annie up, made sure she was okay, then started yelling at me without pause.
"Lucy, did you tamper with this cabinet? If anything happens to the baby in Annie's belly, I'll never let it go with you!"
My head was spinning, and I could barely stand.
But when I heard that, I laughed out of anger.
"You think I tampered with it? I just saved her life. If it weren't for me—" I stopped, then glanced at Allen. "She wouldn't be keeping your baby."
I put extra stress on the word "your."
Allen's eyes shifted away.
Just then, Annie, who had been quiet all along, whispered, "The moment Lucy saw my big belly, she jumped right at me, and then the cabinet fell. Allen, is this baby not meant to be here? Why else would Lucy be targeting me at every turn?"
The moment she started crying, Allen twisted my wrist so hard I thought it would break.
"Lucy, what do you have to say to yourself now? I've put up with you being jealous of Annie all the time, but she's carrying my—she's carrying the Kent family's child. You need to know where to draw the line with your tantrums. Don't make me lose all respect for you."
His words hit my chest like a boulder, hurting more than the bookcase had hit my forehead.
Drip.
A drop of blood splattered on the floor.
I stood up shakily and realized my forehead was bleeding.
I wiped the blood away and continued as if nothing had happened.
"This cruise ship is your fifth-anniversary gift to me. I personally oversaw every detail. The Kent family has a lot of power and wealth, and with so many people on board, I had to be cautious. So I installed surveillance cameras."
I looked at Annie, who was hiding behind Allen.
"I dare to pull the footage to prove my innocence. Do you dare?"
As soon as I said that, she burst into tears, looking utterly pitiful.
"Lucy, even a vicious beast wouldn't harm its own young. No matter how much you hate me, you shouldn't question a mother's instinct to protect her child. Allen, I shouldn't have meddled. I always knew your wife hated me. I shouldn't have provoked her."
The blood rushed to my head. I was about to order someone to get the footage when Allen scowled.
"Enough! The cabinet probably fell because of shoddy installation. Annie has been through a scare too. This matter is over!"
I curled my lips into a bitter smile.
In my past life, I believed that a clear conscience needed no explanation, and that Allen would trust me without question.
But reality had slapped me hard.
In this life, I clearly pointed out that there were cameras. Yet Allen, because Annie was involved, pretended not to hear and didn't even look at the footage.
Just before he led Annie away, I gave a few weak coughs.
"Wait."
"What now?" Allen turned back impatiently, but paused when he saw the blood streaming down my forehead.
I didn't miss the flicker of pity in his eyes.
I seized the moment to get something for myself.
"You can blame me unfairly, but don't you owe me some compensation?"
The air went so quiet it almost froze.
Then Allen laughed.
He leaned close and said contemptuously, "Lucy, I was right about you. You never change, greedy, money-hungry, and shallow.
Go on, what is it this time? A runway haute couture dress? Or the latest top-of-the-line bag?"
I pulled back from his face, which was too close for comfort.
"I'm not interested in any of that. All I want is one evening of your time. Tonight, wait for me in the room, and I'll tell you then."
Allen gave a knowing smile.
His eyes traveled down my body, wrapped in that sexy dress.
"Fine."
- Writer
