Chapter 1 Wedding, Miscarriage

• Jessie Summers found herself in disbelief as her apparently flawless life began to unravel right on her wedding day.
• Clad in her bridal gown, her expectant belly protruding, she stood with anxious anticipation before the statue in the grand hall, her gaze fixed on the entrance.
• Despite the bride and the priest being poised for the ceremony, there was a conspicuous absence: the groom, Chase Thompson.
• Renowned for his punctuality and intolerance for tardiness, Chase's delay of nearly an hour was unprecedented.
• "Mrs. Thompson, please, take a seat," the nanny kindly suggested, offering a chair. "Standing for too long isn't advisable for the baby you're carrying."
• With the nanny's assistance, Jessie settled into the seat.
• As she reflected on her nine months of pregnancy and the imminent arrival of her child, a radiant smile graced her face.
• "Little one, you'll soon meet Mommy and Daddy. Just be patient and take your time, okay?"
• With a gentle touch to her belly, Jessie softly murmured, her eyes betraying a hint of concern.
• While it appeared she was addressing the child, in reality, she was comforting herself, attempting to quell her worries.
• Jessie and Chase had shared a strong bond since the beginning of their relationship, culminating in her pregnancy with his child.
• However, their once-solid foundation was shaken by unforeseen events. Following her pregnancy, her father, Peter Summers, was involved in a car accident, leading to her family's financial downfall. Jessie could not help but notice a shift in Chase's demeanour towards her; his affection waned, replaced by a palpable distance.
• Despite her efforts to dismiss it, Jessie could not shake the feeling that there was a hint of fear and disdain in Chase's gaze whenever he looked at her.
• Perhaps her pregnancy had heightened her sensitivity.
• Jessie found herself needing to reassure herself like this often.
• She believed that after the wedding and the baby's arrival, everything would go back to normal.
• After all, she could only depend on Chase.
• As she thought about this, Jessie clutched the hem of her dress.
• Chase, the richest man in River City, was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, the youngest billionaire, and the epitome of charm for countless women.
• However, those were just the images he presented to the public.
• Jessie was keenly aware of his darker side: the underworld kingpin, the ruthless tyrant, the merciless killer!
• He operated a mafia empire in secret and his hands were tainted by numerous crimes. Such a person was bound to have many enemies.
• Yet, Jessie ignored all of this. She believed no one could love her more than Chase, and she returned his affection wholeheartedly.
• She knew that even if she made enemies of the whole world, Chase would be the one standing by her side in the end!
• As Jessie was lost in thought, she was startled by a sudden figure rushing in through the church's main entrance.
• Her eyes shone with joy as she stood up and asked, "Warren, is Chase here?"
• Warren, who served as both Chase's driver and bodyguard, shared an inseparable bond with him.
• However, he seemed conflicted, struggling to find the right words.
• "What's wrong? Tell me!" Jessie urged.
• "Mr. Thompson ... " Warren hesitated, then continued, "Mr. Thompson told me he wouldn't be coming. He went to the airport to pick up a pregnant woman and took her home. He asked me to come back and inform you that the wedding is off ... "
• "What?"
• Jessie felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her head spinning.
• The wedding is off?
• A pregnant woman?
• Her mind spun, and she looked at Warren, who watched her with concern, attempting to speak.
• However, no words came, and she slumped, unconscious, falling backward.
• "Madam! Madam!"
• ...
• When Jessie woke up, she found herself staring at the white ceiling, smelling disinfectant in the air.
• She realised she was in a hospital and looked around the empty ward.
• No one was there, which was different from usual whenever she was sick, Chase was always there with a look of worry.
• This was probably the first time she had woken up alone in such a cold, desolate room.
• At that moment, the door opened, and a nurse walked in, looking surprised to see Jessie awake. "You're up."
• Jessie forced a faint smile but did not speak.
• Approaching with a cart, the nurse murmured, "You've just had surgery. It typically takes longer for the anesthesia to wear off. How did you wake up so soon?"
• Due to her body's unique reaction and a high tolerance for anesthesia, Jessie did not pay much heed to the nurse's remarks. Instead, she exclaimed, "Surgery? What surgery?"
• Ignoring the nurse's response, she uncovered her body.
• Her previously swollen abdomen was now flat, with a grim surgical scar running across it like a centipede.
• "Where's my child?" Jessie asked, panic filling her expression as she searched the nurse's face for answers.
• Touched by her distress, the nurse hesitated before speaking softly, "I heard you had a fall, and when you arrived, you were unconscious and bleeding. So, the doctor had to perform an emergency cesarean section, but ... your child couldn't make it."