Chapter 2

• "It's been a week already, and you want to tell me that you don't know where she is? I mean, she just vanished into thin air. Is that it?" Liam snapped at his men.
• He was frustrated, finding it hard to believe that on that fateful day, Chelsea had disappeared without a trace. Chelsea had run out of the mansion on foot, so it was quite perplexing that when his men got outside, she was nowhere to be found.
• "We're sorry, sir. We're doing everything possible to find her. We won't rest until we find her," Trey, his right-hand man, announced.
• "Just go find her, Trey, even if it means turning the whole city of New York upside down. Find that woman and bring her to me."
• He dismissed them, before collapsing onto the couch. For the past few days, he hadn't been able to sleep at night; he was restless, needing answers, and Chelsea was the only one who had them. He loosened his tie and threw it on the couch beside him.
• "Oh, Liam, you don't look so good," Jessica said as she walked into the living room, her hips swaying seductively. "Would you like something to cool off?"
• "Yes, a glass of champagne, please," Liam said, rubbing his temples.
• Jessica walked toward the bar and retrieved a glass and a bottle of champagne. "I know it's hard for you, Liam, but you have to be strong. Don't let this weigh you down."
• Liam continued, "I know, Jess, but it's just so hard to believe. Even after her late uncle had blackmailed me into getting married to her and giving him money, she still wanted more, to the extent of poisoning me." He paused, taking a deep breath. "It's unbelievable, Jess, and if you hadn't come to the office that day, I might have been dead."
• "Well, I'm glad I did. I'm glad to be here with you, baby. Let's just forget about her."
• "No, I won't rest until I find her and make her pay."
• "Alright, but please take it easy. I'm so glad to finally be able to live with you."
• "I know, baby, we don't need to hide anymore. And I'm so glad to have you here with me," he said, reaching for her face, gently brushing aside strands of her black hair.
• She fluttered her lashes seductively, using her charms to entice him. She had been dreaming of this moment, where she would have him all to herself. Liam was the love of her life, and although she loved his money, she equally admired his physical attributes: his 6-foot-4-inch height, dark brown hair, alluring green eyes, symmetrical face, and toned abs. Plus, he was already a young billionaire at 26 years old. She craved all of him, and she was glad that Chelsea was finally out of the way.
• "Aren't you going to drink some champagne?" Liam asked before sipping his drink.
• "I can't, even if I wanted to. I'm pregnant, baby."
• "What, are you serious right now?" Liam enveloped her in a tight hug. "Are you serious, babe?"
• "Yes, I'm three months pregnant, baby."
• Liam was overjoyed. He has been praying for a child and an heir to his name, and finally, Jessica has granted his wish. He could finally breathe and maybe forget all the pain his so-called wife had caused him.
• Three months later...
• The loud sound of footsteps echoing in the empty hallway caused Chelsea's eyes to snap open as she quickly sat up on the bed. She knew it was either the doctor who introduced himself as Ramon or Trey, her husband's right-hand man—they were the only ones she'd been seeing for the past three months.
• "So, how are you doing? I hope the baby isn't giving you too much trouble."
• "Doctor Ramon, please help me. I'm tired of being locked up here. Please let me go. I swear, I'll run away from here and never return."
• She pleaded with the middle-aged man, hoping that somehow he'd let her out of this place. Months ago, after she had run out of the mansion, a few steps outside, a car blocked her way and forcibly took her inside the car. Before she knew it, she blacked out and awoke in an empty room with just a bed.
• "You know we can't do that, lady, not after what you did to the boss. The boss wants you to stay here and rot. That's the only way you can pay for poisoning him and trying to kill him," Trey, who had just entered the room, yelled at Chelsea.
• "Take it easy now," the doctor addressed him, sending him a cold glare. "She's pregnant, remember. All the boss needs is the baby, so we're not going to stress her; only feed her and make sure she's healthy. Then you can do whatever you want with her."
• This was the only reason she was being fed in here—how vital. Chelsea rested her back against the headboard, her chest wracked with pain. Liam wanted her baby and then to kill her. She wondered how he could be so cold-hearted and wicked. How could he not trust his own wife?
• She placed a hand on her growing stomach, feeling her baby kick. It was now a regular occurrence for her, and though painful, she relished it.
• "I'll find a way, I promise, baby," she said with tears.
• A week later, Chelsea saw an opportunity to escape and rushed to seize it. The door of the room had been left open after Doctor Ramon finished running some scans on her. Chelsea quickly got out of bed and hurried out of the room. She had barely taken five steps before Trey spotted her.
• "Just where do you think you're going, you bitch?"
• Her whole body trembled with fear as she instinctively started running, but she wasn't fast enough. Trey caught up with her and jerked her roughly by the arm, pulling her into another empty room, which was dark. He pushed her to the cold floor, not minding that she was pregnant. Chelsea's hands flew to her stomach protectively, fearing for her baby's life.
• "Please, my baby, please don't hurt my baby," she cried bitterly.
• He pointed a finger angrily at her.
• "Shut up! How dare you try to escape, you silly swine. Stay here; I'll be back." He stormed out of the room, leaving Chelsea whimpering and terrified on the cold floor.
• She lay curled up on the floor, crying for over twenty minutes, which felt like hours to her, before Trey strolled back in, his sharp jawline tightened in a cruel smile.
• "It's time for your punishment, bitch."
• Chelsea's eyes rose to his hand, which was holding a little bottle. The look on his face told her it was something unpleasant.
• She shook her head vigorously, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Please, please don't do anything bad to me, please, Trey."
• Ignoring her tears, Trey opened the bottle's cap, bent down to her level, and without warning, he used his strong arm to hold her face before pouring the liquid on her left face.
• Chelsea screamed in pain as the acid ran down her delicate skin, burning her face. The pain was excruciating. He let go of her face roughly as he pushed her back to the floor. Amid the excruciating pain, she couldn't think clearly, but her hand steadfastly clung to her stomach. She had to protect her child, no matter what.
• "The boss wanted me to tell you this, 'serve you right, bitch'," Trey chuckled darkly.
• She writhed and wailed in pain until she passed out, unable to endure any more pain.