Serena awakened to a blinding whiteness.
Phoenix, with his back to her, stood by the window. Sensing her gaze, he abruptly turned around, his intense gaze locking onto hers.
Serena suppressed the dull ache in her heart and whispered, "I... I will handle this child, won't put you in a difficult position."
"Serena, You dare not harm my child!" Phoenix fiercely gripped her chin. "Let me warn you, if you dare touch my child, not only will the Nightingale ancestral home be ruined, I'll ensure the Nightingale name vanishes from J city!"
Her chin throbbed with pain, and a sudden wave of sadness washed over her. Aristocratic families cherished bloodlines, grooming the best to inherit their legacy. But if this child were raised in the Lee household, would it end up in Amelia's care...
"Serena, don't think about escaping. You can't cure your mother's illness, nor can you take her away. Starting today, eat well, nurture this pregnancy, and give birth. Try acting willfully again, and see what happens." Phoenix roughly released her and strode out.
Thrown back onto the bed, Serena trembled uncontrollably, tears streaming down, splashing onto her hands as she weakly wiped them away.
A slender hand extended a tissue. Serena looked up to see Amelia smiling sweetly. "Serena, Phoenix loves children. Just focus on your pregnancy and don't overthink it."
Serena frowned but didn't accept the tissue. Amelia suddenly leaned in, whispering in her ear, "Don't worry, once I marry into the Lee family, I'll take very good care of this child."
Serena's heart ached deeply. She knew her role as a hidden mistress meant abandoning all her pride and dignity, and she was powerless to refute.
Amelia, in high spirits, chuckled, "Serena, you must recover well. At least, you'll get to see him sometimes."
Serena felt a suffocating tightness in her chest, clutching it as breathing became difficult.
Phoenix clearly wanted this child, and perhaps he had swapped her pills. With his adoration for Amelia, Serena could only imagine how she might scheme against the child once she had Phoenix's ear.
Feeling stifled, she sought fresh air outside. No bodyguards blocked her exit, Phoenix certain she wouldn't flee. With her mother and the Nightingale estate in his hands, he held all the cards; escape was impossible.
"Serena? Is that really you?"
In the garden, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Evan, long time no see," Serena managed a strained smile.
He led her to a wooden bench, adopting a counseling tone like Julia's. "Serena, how have you been all these years abroad?"
Well?
Not well.
She missed someone every moment, enduring constant agony. Yet, all these words dissolved into a simple, "I'm doing great."
Five months flew by. To avoid worrying her mother, Serena visited his mother sparingly. Mostly confined to the apartment, she marveled at the life growing within her.
Phoenix arrived at the riverside apartment as Serena sat in a rocking chair, absorbed in a parenting book, her sole pastime.
"Are you obedient?" Phoenix placed his hand on her belly, his eyes flickering with mixed emotions.
Serena nodded.
She had been obedient, nurturing her pregnancy and health diligently. She did all she was supposed to and avoided what she shouldn't.
Phoenix sat beside her, pulling her into an embrace. Serena tensed initially but eventually relaxed against him.
Then, the words that fell from above plunged her into an icy abyss.
"Serena, this child... must be terminated."
