Ruined Child, Revenge Returned

I used to think Ethan was my entire world.

During that kidnapping, I nearly lost my life just to keep him safe.

When he burst in with the police and held my battered body while sobbing uncontrollably, I thought it was all worth it.

Serena, I'll never let you suffer again.

Marry me. I'll spend my whole life making it up to you.

I touched my belly where the baby had just been discovered, thinking my suffering had finally come to an end.

On our wedding day, I walked toward him in my white gown, step by step. Just as we were about to exchange rings, my stepsister Claire suddenly burst in like a madwoman, pointing at my belly and shouting:

"Don't marry her! That baby isn't even yours!"

She pointed at the kidnapper being dragged in, screaming hysterically:

"This whole kidnapping was staged by her! She's been sleeping with this man all along!"

The kidnapper grinned, revealing yellowed teeth:

"That's right. This woman promised me five hundred thousand after she married into the Hayes family."

I couldn't defend myself. I could only stare at Ethan.

I knew he would believe me.

But he just took a step back, creating distance between us.

He looked at me with terrifyingly unfamiliar eyes.

"Serena," he said, "I never thought you were this kind of person. This baby cannot stay."

I heard every word clearly, yet it was as if I understood nothing.

"Cannot stay?"

I tore off my veil and looked at him.

This face had been pressed against my ear just two nights ago.

His warm breath on my neck, promising we'd weather all storms together, that he'd never let me down.

That was only a day ago.

"Ethan." I called his name, my voice dry and unfamiliar.

He didn't respond, but Vivian laughed, her voice sharp like nails scraping glass.

"Why play dumb, Serena? Wasn't Ethan clear enough?"

Her gaze fell on my abdomen with mockery.

"Who knows which kidnapper's bastard that is?"

Pain twisted through my chest, hatred surging, but before I could speak, my father's vicious slap struck my face.

The entire hall fell deathly silent.

"Disgraceful creature! I raised you for twenty-six years, and this is how you repay me?"

My ears rang as my stepmother Michelle pretended to intervene.

"Honey, it's my fault for not teaching Serena properly..."

"But if word of this gets out, where will you put your face? How can you hold your head up in front of Ethan?"

Then Ethan sighed softly.

That sigh was full of exhaustion and disappointment.

"I was drunk that night." He looked at me with complicated eyes.

"When I woke up, you were lying next to me... I always thought I'd lost control while drunk and ruined your innocence."

"I thought what was done was done, so I should take responsibility."

He smiled bitterly.

"Only now do I realize it was all calculated by you."

I froze, my throat blocked by something.

Calculated?

He was so drunk when he barged into my room.

I pushed him, begged him, and he covered my mouth, saying "Don't be afraid, Serena, I'll marry you."

I believed him.

I'd followed him since college, watching him pitch projects.

Watching him close his first million-dollar deal with such high spirits.

I thought what he said was real.

"Ethan." Ignoring the pain in my abdomen, I stepped forward.

"Say that again. That night---I calculated it?"

He didn't answer, just turned his face away.

I stared at his profile, my heart feeling like it was being gripped and twisted inch by inch.

Vivian spoke again, her voice even louder.

"Why bother, Serena? Only you two know what happened that night."

"Ethan is kindhearted and was deceived by you for so long. Now that he won't expose you, are you going to force him to spell out your shame?"

The guests murmured. Some laughed, some shook their heads, others whispered.

"Pregnant before marriage---clearly a character problem."

"The Mitchell family's reputation is ruined. How can they do business with Hayes Corporation now?"

"Guards." Ethan suddenly spoke.

Two security men in black suits stepped forward.

My heart tightened. I stepped back.

"Ethan, what are you doing?"

He still wouldn't look at me, just waved his hand.

In an instant, I was pinned down.

I desperately clawed at the carpet, my nails splitting, but couldn't break free.

Vivian approached with a glass of red wine laced with drugs, smiling as she leaned to my ear.

"Serena, drink it. Once you drink it, you'll be clean."

"Get away!"

I struggled desperately but was held tighter.

The guard gripped my jaw, fingers digging into my cheeks, forcing my mouth open.

Liquid poured in, choking me breathless.

Then I felt warmth flowing from deep in my abdomen, running down my legs.

That was my baby.

The baby I'd desperately protected even when kidnapped.

The guards released me. I collapsed on the cold tile floor.

All the red decorations in the hall became blurry shadows.

I heard Ethan's voice, distant, as if through a layer of mist.

"Take her to her room..."

Darkness rushed in from all sides. Before consciousness faded, I had only one thought.

I'm done.

Done with the man who swore he'd never let me down.

Done with the CEO position I'd saved for him---he could forget about keeping it too.

In my hazy consciousness, I drifted back to the time when Hayes Corporation was targeted by business rivals.

The whole city knew.

Ethan was taken in for investigation. The entire corporation was in turmoil.

I went to find him. He looked haggard, dark circles under his eyes.

"Serena, they want to take away my inheritance rights."

I'd never seen him like this.

That young man who spoke so eloquently on stage with such confidence looked like his spine had been removed.

"I'll ask Michelle. She can help you." I gripped his hand.

"Before my mother died, she said if I ever needed help, I should ask her."

That was the only support my mother left me. I used it for him.

After it was resolved, he held my hand, his fingers trembling.

He said then that in this life, I was the only one, and he'd never betray me.

I believed him.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw dusty curtains and the cold air conditioning vent.

My abdomen ached like flesh being carved out.

I looked down. Flat and empty. Nothing left.

Even this room was in the most remote corner of the Hayes estate.

Ms. Smith's voice trembled as she told me.

"After you fainted, Ethan said your behavior was improper and you weren't fit to be the CEO's wife."

"He announced he was with Vivian."

I listened as if hearing about someone else.

"Mr. Mitchell said from now on, you're no longer his daughter."

"He said you disgraced the Mitchell family and he can no longer be Hayes Corporation's supplier."

I paused for a moment, then wanted to laugh.

That father who only had eyes for Michelle and Claire---how could he want a daughter who disgraced him?

After my mother died, even the household staff took cues from Michelle.

They wouldn't even turn on the radiator in my room. I shivered under blankets in winter.

Ethan brought me a hand warmer.

That was the first warmth I'd received since my mother left.

Later he came often, bringing food, coffee, books I loved.

Michelle's people didn't dare stop him, so I looked forward to his visits every day.

With him backing me up, he was the only light in those dark days.

Now, the light was extinguished.

The door opened. Ethan walked in.

Dark gray suit, impeccably styled hair. Same face, yet unbearably unfamiliar.

"Serena." His voice was gentle as yesterday.

"About yesterday---I had no choice. All those guests were there. I had to give them an explanation."

"Hayes Corporation is publicly traded. If this kind of negative news spreads, the stock price will be affected. I couldn't give the board ammunition against me."

I looked at him.

Two nights ago he'd whispered in my ear about weathering storms together. One day later, the boat had already sunk.

"From now on you'll stay in this room. Though it's not an official position, I won't mistreat you."

"But there's one thing," he paused.

"Vivian is my fiance now. She deserves proper respect. When you see her, be polite."

I watched his mouth open and close. Every word was clear.

Yet every word was incomprehensible.

"Ethan, that year your company was targeted---who saved your inheritance rights?"

His expression stiffened.

"I begged Michelle for an entire afternoon to secure your CEO position today."

"Now that you're successful, you're going to wrong me for Claire's sake?"

He stood up, turning his back to me.

"Serena, don't blame me. After all, you... had the character problem first."

All the blood in my body rushed to my head.

When he covered my mouth, why didn't he mention character problems?

When he knelt before me promising to marry me, why didn't he mention character problems?

He personally aborted my baby, then told me to have breakfast with my stepsister.

And now he says I have character problems?

I grabbed the glass beside me and hurled it at him.

"Get out!"

The glass shattered at his feet, fragments flying.

He didn't turn back, just walked out.

As the door closed, I heard him making a call.

"Send security. Watch her twenty-four hours."

My chest heaved violently. My abdomen cramped and ached.

But the worst pain wasn't there.

It was my chest.

The place that once held him was now empty, with only cold wind pouring in.

Just past seven in the morning, I was violently dragged from bed.

"Vivian wants you to have breakfast with her at eight. Ms. Mitchell, don't make this difficult for us."

Two maids dragged me along without explanation.

I wore only pajamas. Cold seeped from my feet straight into my bones.

All the way, I was shoved into the main dining room.

The central air was turned up high. Vivian reclined on the sofa without even lifting her eyelids.

"Well, Serena finally decided to show up."

She sipped her coffee.

"Breakfast at eight, and it's already fifteen minutes past. Is Serena deliberately trying to embarrass me?"

I stood there, trembling all over---whether from cold or hatred, I couldn't tell.

"Claire, are you worthy?"

I stared at her.

"My mother was the original wife of the company founder. Mitchell blood runs in my veins."

"You're just a daughter brought by a stepmother. You think you can make me follow your rules?"

Her expression changed.

"That makes no sense, Serena."

She approached and suddenly slapped me across the face.

"I'm Ethan's fiance. If you don't come, you're disrespecting Ethan!"

In that instant, humiliation mixed with hatred surged up.

I raised my hand and slapped her back.

But I was shoved hard from behind and nearly fell.

Ethan had appeared, his face full of anger.

"What are you doing!"

Vivian threw herself into his arms, tears in her eyes.

"Ethan, Serena came late today. I only said a few words."

"She cursed at me and hit me..."

Ethan sighed, suppressing his anger.

"Serena, I told you yesterday to be polite to Vivian."

"You came late and raised your hand. You should accept punishment."

I laughed softly.

"Ethan, dream on!"

His expression darkened.

"Guards, take her to the courtyard. Make her stand for two full hours."

Two security men stepped forward, dragging me out.

I used my eyes to stop Ms. Smith from rushing out.

I saw her slip out the side door when no one was looking.

She understood what I meant.

The December wind cut like knives. The stone courtyard was bone-chillingly cold.

I stood there. My vision began to darken.

When I woke again, I was lying on the cold bed.

Voices drifted from outside the window.

"Vivian," it was Ethan's voice, somewhat helpless.

"You went too far today. Besides, at the wedding, I only asked you to arrange for her to make some mistakes."

"So I could naturally establish our relationship. But you brought in the kidnappers---how do we deal with that?"

My fingers clenched tight.

So that was it.

From the beginning, he never intended to marry me.

"I didn't arrange for that kidnapper! Serena had an affair with him. I only found out later!"

"Ethan, think about it," Vivian's voice was pitifully aggrieved.

"I'm just a stepdaughter. How would I dare do such a thing? It was Serena herself who was improper, but she's blaming me..."

Ethan was silent for a moment, then his voice softened.

"Fine, don't cry. I believe you."

"Ethan..." Vivian sobbed.

"You know I only have you. If even you don't believe me, I might as well die..."

"What nonsense?" Ethan coaxed her in a low voice.

"While I'm here, no one can bully you."

The footsteps gradually faded.

I lay in the darkness, motionless.

So from the very beginning, Ethan wanted to be with her.

And he---the man who said he'd never betray me---didn't even ask before believing her.

Slandering my reputation, killing my child.

Hatred burned from my chest, making my whole body tremble.

In the dark room, I told myself over and over.

Serena, you have to survive.

Survive and walk out this door.

Make them return everything they owe me, piece by piece.

Two days later, Vivian barged in with two maids.

In her hand was an old phone containing all the photos and videos of my child.

"Serena, you hid this quite well."

She waved the phone screen. That smile made all the blood in my body run cold.

I shot to my feet.

"Give it back!"

"Give it back?" She smashed the phone on the floor.

"This kind of unlucky thing doesn't deserve to stay in the estate."

The screen shattered. I lunged forward but was pinned down by the maids.

Vivian stepped on it, grinding her high heel into it.

"Improper things should be completely deleted."

Right in front of me, she pulled out the SIM card and threw both card and phone into the fireplace.

The only proof in this world that my child had existed was gone.

"Claire!"

I broke free from the maids and lunged at her, but she kicked me in the chest. I fell hard to the floor.

"What are you doing, Serena?" She looked down at me.

"It's just an unborn baby. The person's gone---why keep mementos? Aren't you afraid of bad luck?"

She turned to leave, then looked back with a smile.

"Oh, by the way, Ethan said this side building will have electronic locks installed."

"Serena, stay put and don't embarrass yourself by going out."

I lay on the floor, watching the last bit of firelight in the fireplace.

Ashes floated up, settling everywhere.

From that day on, I became quiet. I didn't step out of the building once.

Ethan came to see me a few times, standing at the door, watching from afar.

"Good that you've come around. Stay here obediently from now on. I won't mistreat you."

I lowered my eyes without responding.

He thought I'd resigned myself to fate, not knowing I was just waiting.

As year-end approached, the company grew busier. The subordinates were cheerful.

"Ethan is so happy. Since old Mr. Hayes had his incident, he hasn't been invited to the board's annual gala."

"This time the board must be remembering our Ethan again."

That evening, Ethan came.

"Feeling better?"

"Mm."

He was silent for a moment, then stepped closer.

"There's the board's annual gala at year-end. Given your current situation, bringing you would embarrass me. You don't need to come."

I nodded.

He seemed relieved, taking another step forward.

He raised his hand as if to touch my face, but it fell empty.

He stiffened for a moment. After a long while, he sighed.

"It's good you understand... Serena, I won't mistreat you."

Won't mistreat me?

I concealed the coldness in my eyes.

But my baby can never come back.

On the day of the gala, I changed into the suit my mother left me.

Step by step, I walked down the stairs to the estate entrance.

A black car was already waiting. Ethan was helping Vivian into it.

She wore a haute couture evening gown, covered in jewelry, smiling proudly.

Seeing me, her smile froze, then she shrieked.

"What is Serena doing out here in this freezing weather?"

Ethan turned around, anger rising in his eyes.

"What are you doing? I told you yesterday---do you want to embarrass me in front of the board? Get back inside!"

Vivian sneered.

"Serena heard him. Ethan said you don't need to come, to avoid being laughed at."

I stood still.

Ethan stepped forward, about to scold again.

A black business van pulled up from the corner. Someone got out holding a phone.

A businesslike voice cut through the morning silence.

"Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Miller said to ask you to proceed immediately to headquarters for the annual gala."

Ethan's hand froze in midair. Vivian's smile gradually disappeared.

I stood at the bottom of the steps, morning light falling on my shoulders.

Ethan slowly turned to look at me. In his eyes was shock, and a trace of undisguised fear.

He was afraid of me meeting Mr. Miller.

After all, Mr. Miller was his biggest investor. One word could decide how long he'd keep his CEO position.