My Runaway Husband Returned to Find Me Pregnant

Jasper Oakley yanked me up from the daybed in one brutal motion. His hawk-like eyes looked like they were ready to kill.He roared, "You shameless woman! I was only gone for three years, and you couldn't even wait? You got yourself knocked up! Speak! Who is the father?"The cup of sage wine I had been sipping slipped from my hand and shattered onto the floor with a loud crash.My mother-in-law, Agnes Dodson, hurried in. When she saw Jasper gripping my neck tightly, her face went pale with shock."Jasper, don't touch her!" she cried. "She's carrying—"Before she could finish, Jasper cut her off with a furious shout. "Isabella Slade, I'm asking you a question!"My eardrums throbbed with pain from his booming voice. The anger in my heart flared and burned bright.I wrenched my hand free. "You left for three years without a word! And you dumped the debt-ridden household on me and vanished completely! According to our laws, if a man is absent for a year without cause, the marriage ma

I curled up in agony, unable to make a sound. My belly burned as if it were on fire. Blood poured out endlessly, quickly staining the ground in front of the General's Manor red.I reached out and grabbed the hem of Jasper's robe, begging, "Please… call a royal physician… my child…"I had already cast everything else aside. All I wanted was for someone—anyone—to save my child.Clutching my stomach with one hand, I vaguely remembered how he had still been moving inside me that very morning. Now, I could feel his life slipping away at a very fast rate.The next second, Jasper kicked my hand away without mercy. "It's too late to beg now."Pauline stood beside him, looking down at me. "Jasper, even at a time like this, this vile woman still refuses to name her lover. She hasn't realized her mistake at all."Jasper sneered. "A treacherous, shameless whore like you deserves to be drowned for your immoral ways. Today, you'll serve as a warning to the others. With you as an example, I'd

The royal physicians arrived quickly. When they saw the injuries on my body, they all sucked in sharp breaths.Nathaniel pressed urgently, "How is she? Can she still be saved?"One of the physicians replied tremblingly, "It is fortunate that Her Majesty had been taking good care of herself for the past few months. Otherwise, she would not have held on until Your Majesty arrived."Nathaniel's heart missed a beat. He asked instinctively, "What about the child?"The physicians fell silent instantly, exchanging uneasy glances. No one dared to speak.Nathaniel looked at my collapsed belly and said in disbelief, "Where is the child?"Boris wept as he lifted a bundle of cloth, carrying something small inside. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is gone!"Nathaniel couldn't believe his ears. His shaking hand hovered above the lifeless infant. He couldn't bring himself to lift the cloth for a long while.Boris wailed, "Your Majesty, I am sorry for your loss!"Jasper and Pauline were still

When Mother's body was to be buried, Father told me that she was of a lowly status and was unworthy of being in the Slade family's official records. He had also said that she was even less worthy of being buried in the Slades' cemetery.I never imagined that after so many years of marriage and even after bearing him children, Mother would end up in such a miserable state. The other members of the Slade family denied me at every turn as well, and there was nothing I could do.In the end, I could only take Mother's body with me back to the General's Manor.But Agnes put Jasper first and was concerned that he might return at any moment. She said Mother's corpse would pollute our living environment and refused to let me enter the manor, no matter what I said.With no other path left, I went up the mountain to the church there. Ever since I was little, I had seen Mother go there to pray every single day. She had been so devout. I was sure the God she was praying to wouldn't just turn a

My expression softened slightly. "Please sit."A maid brought over a chair, but Agnes didn't move. "I'm unworthy of being your mother-in-law, Your Majesty.""Then, why have you come today?" I asked.Jasper blurted desperately, "Mother, save me!"Agnes bowed and said, "I have come to ask Your Majesty for one thing."My gaze chilled slightly. "Speak."I knew the General's Manor possessed a token of unconditional pardon bestowed by the late king. They had always kept it in their private chapel. If Agnes showed it to beg for Jasper to be released, there would be nothing I could do.Agnes said steadily, "My son has committed heinous crimes. I beg His Majesty and Her Majesty not to show mercy. You need not relent because of the past contributions of the past generals.""Mother?" Jasper stared at her in disbelief, unable to accept that she would abandon him so mercilessly.I, too, was momentarily stunned. But when my eyes fell on her slightly misshapen arm, understanding dawned insta