CHAPTER 3

Anastasia 

Pain was the first thing I felt when my consciousness slowly returned.

A sharp, unbearable pain that seemed to spread through every inch of my body.

My head throbbed heavily, like someone had split it open, while a dull ache pulsed violently through my stomach.

A weak groan escaped my lips as the smell of antiseptic drifted into my nose.

My lashes fluttered weakly before I finally forced my eyes open.

The bright white ceiling above me blurred in and out of focus, making my head spin painfully. I blinked repeatedly, trying to steady my vision while confusion slowly crept into my exhausted mind.

Where was I?

I shifted slightly and instantly regretted it.

Pain tore through my abdomen so viciously that tears immediately sprang into my eyes.

“Mrs. Moretti?”

A face suddenly appeared above me. A man in white.

His expression softened when he noticed I was awake.

“How are you feeling?” he asked carefully.

Terrible. That was how I felt.

Like my body had been crushed from inside out.

I tried to speak, but my throat burned painfully.

The doctor quickly poured water into a cup and helped me drink a little.

The cool liquid eased my throat slightly.

“What…” My voice came out weak and broken. “What happened?”

“You fainted from blood loss and shock,” the doctor explained gently. “You were brought here by the maids from your home.”

My brows furrowed weakly.

Then suddenly, the memories began to flood in.

The argument with my mother in-law, the way she had shoved me, and the stabbing pain in my abdomen before I passed out.

Fear exploded inside me instantly.

My hands flew toward my stomach so quickly that the IV attached to my arm almost came loose.

The movement sent another wave of pain through my body.

“My baby…” I whispered shakily.

The doctor’s expression changed, causing a further spike in my heart rate.

“My baby?” I repeated desperately, tears already gathering in my eyes.

The doctor looked genuinely regretful.

“We tried our best,” he said softly. “But the impact caused severe complications.”

My breathing became uneven.

No…

“We couldn't save the baby.”

My world went still instantly.

I stared at him blankly, unable to process the words.

They couldn’t save my baby.

“No…” I whispered weakly.

The doctor sighed softly. “Mrs. Moretti…”

“No!” My voice cracked violently as panic consumed me. “No, that's impossible. I was just pregnant yesterday.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I began to weep uncontrollably.

“My baby was fine…” I sobbed. “I…I was going to tell my husband…”

Pain ripped through my chest so brutally that I curled forward.

The doctor tried to calm me down, but I couldn't stop crying.

Everything hurt.

I had told myself I could survive anything as long as I had my baby.

But now, the baby is gone, and I had nothing.

The doctor looked helpless.

“I'll give you some time,” he murmured softly before stepping out of the room.

The second the door closed behind him, I broke down completely.

Maybe it was ny fault, maybe if I had been more careful, my baby would still be alive.

The thought destroyed me further.

“My baby…” I cried weakly.

A soft knock suddenly came from the door before it opened.

Hope immediately flooded my chest as I looked up.

“Brandon…” I whispered.

He walked into the ward wearing a dark suit, his expression cold and unreadable.

For a brief second, relief flooded me, maybe he would comfort me, maybe he would hold me and tell me we could try again.

I reached for him desperately.

“Brandon…” My voice trembled. “Our baby…”

His jaw tightened visibly, and instead of comfort, irritation flashed across his face.

“You couldn't even do one job properly.”

The words slammed into me like a blow.

I stared at him in disbelief.

“What…?”

His expression hardened further.

“You knew how important this child was,” he said coldly. “Yet you still managed to lose it.”

My lips parted soundlessly.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

“Brandon…” Tears streamed down my face. “You have to believe me. It's not my fault.”

“It isn't?” he asked sarcastically.

The sharpness in his voice made me flinch.

“I..I…” My throat tightened painfully. “Your mother and I had an argument and she pushed me…”

“Enough.”His voice cut through mine mercilessly.

“You always have excuses.”

Shock froze me completely.

Excuses?

I stared at the man I had loved for years and suddenly couldn't recognize him.

“My baby died…” I whispered in a broken voice.

“Our baby,” he corrected coldly. “And your carelessness caused it.”

The accusation shattered something inside me.

I shook my head desperately.

“No… no, Brandon, please listen to me…”

“You should've been more careful,” he snapped harshly. “Do you know how disappointed Mother is right now?” He scoffed.

I stared at him in horror.

“Brandon…” I whispered helplessly.

But he looked at me like I was a burden.

“I don't want to argue right now,” he muttered irritably. And with that, he turned around and walked toward the door.

Panic surged through me.

“Please don't leave…” I cried weakly.

But he didn't even look back.

The door slammed shut behind him, and just like that, I was alone again.

I stared blankly at the closed door while tears rolled endlessly down my face.

Everything felt unreal.

My husband had cheated on me, my baby was dead.

And somehow, he still found a way to blame me.

A hollow sob escaped my lips.

Maybe he was right.

Maybe if I had protected the baby better…

No.

I squeezed my eyes shut painfully.

But guilt still consumed me anyway.

I should've been stronger, I should've protected my child.

I slowly curled into myself on the hospital bed, crying silently as grief swallowed me whole.

After a while, the door was pushed open again.

At first, I thought Brandon had come back.

But when I looked up, my blood instantly ran cold.

Rosalie.

She walked into the room elegantly, one hand resting over her swollen stomach while a smug smile played on her lips.

Rage exploded inside me immediately.

“You.”

My voice came out sharp and broken.

Rosalie calmly closed the door behind her.

“You have a lot of nerve showing up here,” I spat furiously.

She looked completely unfazed by my anger.

Instead, she casually walked toward the chair beside my bed and sat down gracefully.

“You shameless homewrecker.” I shouted through tears. “How dare you come here after what you've done to me?”

Rosalie merely sighed softly.

“You're being dramatic, Anastasia.”

My eyes widened in disbelief.

“Dramatic?” I laughed bitterly. “You slept with my husband.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“Did I?”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I snapped.

Rosalie looked down at her stomach fondly before glancing back at me.

“You really don't know anything, do you?”

Something about her tone made unease crawl through me.

“What are you talking about?”

Her lips curled faintly.

“If you actually knew the full story,” she said softly, “you would realize that you're the other woman.”

I froze completely.

“What?”

Her lips curved further.

“You snatched Brandon from me.”