Dear Devil Husband, I Love You

"GET up, you little bitch."

Gideon grabbed a handful of my hair, forcing me to look up at him. I tried to pick up my underwear on the carpeted floor below the bed, but he pulled me up and dragged me away from the queensized bed.

"We're not done yet, Bianca," he said, his voice rugged, his eyes dark as he forced me to face the wall of our room.

"II'm already tired, Gideon," I muttered, my voice a bit shaky from tiredness and fear. I tried to cock my head in his direction, but then he stopped me. He grabbed both my hands and plastered them on the dark wall of our bedroom. The wall felt cold against my skin.

"Do you fucking think I care, Bianca?" he grumbled behind me. "I'm your husband. It's your duty to satisfy my needs. Now, shut up and don't move," he demanded.

Before I could answer, he had already parted my legs and slammed me from behind.

My mouth parted with a mixture of pleasure and pain. I let out a gasp as he pushed all of his manhood inside of me. Gideon was as huge as a beast. I always feel a tinge of pain every time he enters me.

"Ah... Fuck!"

Gideon growled as he started moving behind me like a wild animal, and soon after, the pleasure I slightly felt turned into pain. He's always like this. A monster in bed. He never once took me in a gentle manner.

"Ggideon..." I grunted in pain. I kept my hands steady as they bore all the pressure from his intense slamming.

My fingernails scratched the wall as he kept on thrusting behind me. Beads of sweat trickled down my face.

"Yyou're hurting me."

"Shut up, Bianca!" his dark voice echoed in the room. He pulled my hair as he continued to fuck me from behind. "Just fucking take me, bitch."

"Bbut... I'm... already five months... pregnant, Ggideon," I croaked. My eyes went down to the small bump in my belly.

"What made you think that I cared about that child, Bianca?" I heard a loud groan escape his lips. "It's not even mine."

I instinctively wanted to place my hand on my belly... but I couldn't do it with my position. Instead, hot tears started to form in the corner of my eyes. I always felt helpless against him.

"You're evil, Gideon," I said, gritting my teeth. "You're... really Charlie's opposite."

He suddenly stopped moving behind me. Then I felt his fingers dig into my hips. I bit my lip hard. I could taste my blood in them.

"Yes. I'm a devil, Bianca," he barked behind my ear. I could feel his hot breath on my sensitive skin. "And unfortunately for you, you're married to one." He bit the shell of my ear, and I almost screamed in pain. "The next time you mention that bastard's name, I'll fucking fuck your brains out until you won't be able to walk." He resumed moving behind me. This time, harder. Faster. More forceful.

"You fucking understand me?"

No words escaped from me. I only managed to nod my head. My lips were already trembling, my voice rugged, my knees weak.

I felt like I would collapse any minute now. I just whimpered in silence as I prayed for this to be over.

"Fucking shit!" Gideon's loud moan echoed around the room as he stopped slamming me. He finally let go of me. Hot and sticky liquid gushed between my thighs.

I balled my trembling hands into fists as I started to catch my own breath. I shut my eyes and stayed still for a moment before I turned around to face him.

Gideon was already putting back his clothes. He threw me a blank look as he picked up his expensive coat. He wore it over his dress shirt.

I wanted to run towards him and hurt him with my own hands. I wanted to scratch his face. I wanted to punch and kick him until he bled in front of me.

But I couldn't do that. I couldn't manage to stand up against him. The only thing I could do was to clench my fist as I slowly slipped on the carpeted floor, my knees giving up on me.

Gideon picked up my clothes from the bed and threw them at me. They landed on my lap.

I picked them up with gritted teeth as I met his eyes. "I fucking hate you, Gideon," I muttered, the corner of my eyes hot with tears.

He just arched his brows as he put on his million dollar watch on his wrist. "The feeling is mutual, my dear wife," he answered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Make sure to get dressed later. We'll be attending my mother's birthday tonight."

He said before turning his back on me and heading to the door, leaving me there alone.

I clutched my clothes to my chest. Hot tears fell from my eyes as I leaned my head on the cold wall.

"I fucking hate you so much!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the four corners of the room. "I fucking hate you, Gideon Henry." I gritted my teeth as I wiped the fresh tears on my face. "You have no heart. You're a devil. A monster in human form!"

I loathed the day Gideon Henry came into my life. Ever since that day, everything in my life has spiraled. The man ruined my life, and I hated him for that.

But I hated myself more for being so powerless. For being weak. I couldn't even manage to stand up against him. Ever since we got married, I felt like I was living in a hellhole made by him, Gideon, the devil himself.

I placed my hand on the small bump on my belly and tried to feel the little bean growing inside me.

I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry for putting you in this fuckup situation. But don't worry, your mommy loves you, okay?

This baby inside of me... it's the only thing keeping me alive right now. He's my only light in this hellhole of a marriage.

I won't let anyone hurt you...

I promise I'll protect you, my baby. I won't let him hurt you. I promise I'll be strong for the both of us.

I didn't know how long I remained in the corner of the room before I picked myself up.

On my way to the bathroom, I saw our wedding picture resting on the corner of the carpeted floor.

I picked it up, threw it in the bin, then I entered the bathroom and stood under the shower. I let the hot water wash away all the traces of my husband from my body.

"BIANCA!" Amelia Henry, Gideon's mother, welcomed me with a big smile on her face.

The woman was stunning in her emerald green dress and pearl necklace. She looked regally beautiful at her age. Amelia was already fiftyfive, but she could still pass as a woman in her forties.

"Amelia." I managed to return her smile as I kissed her cheek. "Happy birthday."

Gideon might be a devil, but his family's different. Everyone I've met in my husband's family was nice to me.

When Gideon introduced me as his wife to Amelia, the woman welcomed me with open arms. She even gave me a diamond necklace, an heirloom of the Henry family.

"Oh, thank you, dear," she muttered. "Gosh, you look stunning," Amelia praised me as she looked at me from head to toe. "Pregnancy suits you, Bianca."

Stunning? Well, all thanks to my makeup and beautiful dress.

When I stared at the mirror earlier, I saw a confident woman standing in front of me. Far different from the weak Bianca that was left alone crying after her husband physically abused her.

I only gave Amelia a smile as Darwin Henry, Gideon's father, joined us. The old man was an older version of Gideon—from his dark blonde hair, striking blue eyes, sharp nose, and chiseled jaw.

"Where's your husband, Bianca?" Darwin asked me, his hand snaked to Amelia's waist.

I cleared my throat and managed a smile. "He left something in the car. He went there to get it."

Amelia's party was held in the garden of a luxurious hotel in the city. Everyone was in their formal attire. The Henrys were one of the richest and most influential families in the whole state of America.

Darwin Henry is the founder of one of the largest multibillion dollar companies in the country. Amelia Henry is a philanthropist who handles different charity organizations across the state.

Their son, Gideon, is the current CEO of the Henrys' family business.

"And how's your pregnancy, Bianca?" Darwin asked, his eyes dropping to the small bump on my belly. It was already showing in the peach dress I was wearing.

I stiffened at his question, but then I easily recovered. I managed to smile as I rested my hand on my belly. "You have nothing to worry about. This little bean's not giving me a hard time."

"Oh, there's Gideon!" I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as Amelia looked behind me. My throat suddenly went dry.

Soon after, I felt Gideon beside me. I stiffened in my place.

"Happy birthday, Mom!" Gideon greeted his mother as he handed the woman a black elegant paper bag. It was a Gucci bag that Gideon bought in Paris when he went there for a business trip.

"Here's our birthday gift to you. It was my wife who brought that when we came to Paris last month." Gideon glanced at me before he looked back to his parents to greet Darwin this time.

I stopped myself from gritting my teeth. Liar. I wasn't with him when he went to Paris. He didn't take me with him. He never took me to any of his travels. Well, not that I wanted to join, anyway. I'd rather lock myself at our house than go with him.

"Thank you, Bianca." Amelia turned to me to give me a smile. "You're the sweetest, isn't she, Gideon?"

I felt Gideon's hand snake on me. His long fingers rested on the curve of my waist. "Yeah..." Gideon cocked his head at me, the corner of his lips forming a smirk. "She's the sweetest."

Sweetest my ass. Despite the thoughts running through my head, I was forced to look at him and give him a smile in front of his parents.

In the eyes of everyone, Gideon and I were a perfect couple. Little did they know that everything was only a facade. An act orchestrated by Gideon himself.

On the outside, he always acts like a perfect and loving husband to me. I'm the only one who knows what kind of a monster he really is.

But I couldn't do anything about it.

I had no choice but to pretend that everything was fine between us. That he's the perfect husband. And I'm the loving, submissive wife.

Gideon had threatened to hurt me and my baby if I ever told anyone the truth about our marriage.

I know Gideon. He would really do that if he wanted to. I had witnessed how many evil things he could do with his status and power. The man has no heart.

"Gideon," Darwin said, clearing his throat. “I have something to discuss with you. I hope I can steal you away from your wife for a moment." Darwin glanced at me.

I gave him a tight smile. "Of course. That wouldn't be a problem, Darwin." If only he knew how much I wanted his devil of a son to be out of my sight.

"I'll leave you here for a while, darling," Gideon said to me, loud enough for his parents to hear. Then he lowered his head until his lips reached my ear.

"Behave, Bianca," he whispered in a threatening voice before planting a kiss on my cheek.

I forced myself to smile as I watched Gideon walk away with his father. I was able to finally breathe now that he was out of my sight.

"Come on, Bianca," Amelia said to me, touching me in the arm. "Let's head to the buffet table. You must eat first. I'm sure my grandchild's already starving." She jested.

I turned to Amelia and returned her smile. Grandchild? Yeah… even though this isn't Gideon's, this baby is still her grandchild.

The buffet table was filled with different continental cuisines. From different pasta and salad dishes to salmon, steak, seafood… My mouth watered at the sight of a vanilla mousse.

"Excuse me, dear. I'll just have to answer this call." Amelia said, picking up her phone from her gold clutch bag. "I'll be back."

After picking up food on the table, I settled on an empty table. I smiled as I tasted the vanilla mousse in front of me.

I was able to eat properly with Gideon nowhere near me. I looked around and only saw a few familiar faces in the crowd.

Amelia loves organizing parties. Since I married Gideon, she had already invited me to five different parties she organized herself.

"Hey, you're Uncle Gideon's wife, right?"

A little kid went to me. I remembered her from the party Amelia and I attended last month. She's the daughter of Gideon's cousin, Sofia.

I gave her a warm smile. "Yes. I'm Bianca. What's your name?"

The kid looked like a fiveyearold. She was wearing a pink dress. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail.

"Macy. MACY."  She pointed at the vacant chair beside me. "Can I sit here? Mama's busy talking to some people." She pouted her lips.

"Sure." I smiled.

"Thanks. You're pretty just like Mama." Her eyes widened when they went to my body. "Wait. Are you pregnant?"

"Uh... yes."

"Is Uncle Gideon the father?"

My lips slightly parted. How did she... I mentally shook my head. She's just a kid. It's a harmless question.

"Oof course." I said, bringing back my smile. "He's my husband."

She picked up the vanilla mousse from my plate and bit it. "Well... mommy said that my dad is an alien, so..." She shrugged.

Oh. Right. Sofia doesn't have a husband.

"Can I visit your house and play with your baby after she's born?"

I smiled. "Of course. But you still have to wait for five months." I delightfully watched her as she devoured my vanilla mousse. "Do you want more of that?"

"Yes, please." She pouted.

I chuckled. She's really cute. I hoped my child would grow up just like her. "Stay here. I'll get you some."

I stood up from my seat and left Macy. I was on my way to the buffet table when I heard Amelia behind me.

"Bianca, dear. I have someone I want you to meet."

I turned around to the old woman. The blood in my face dried up when I saw the familiar man beside her.

"Bianca, this is Charlie." Amelia smiled at me before her eyes drifted to the man wearing a gray tux. "Charlie, this is the woman I'm talking about, Bianca, your brother's wife."

Charlie Song, the man standing in front of me right now... is my exboyfriend. And the real father of my baby.

I WANTED to excuse myself and run away. But it felt like my feet were rooted to the ground. I couldn't move. Even my heart felt like it had stopped beating for a moment.

"Bianca..." Charlie greeted me with his familiar voice.

I stared at him. His handsome face didn't change over the past five months that I hadn't seen him.

"It's nice to finally meet you." He extended his hand to me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I accepted his hand. "Ssame here, Charlie."

My heart constricted when I tried to meet his eyes. His lips were smiling, but her chinky eyes… they were saying otherwise. They were cold and emotionless.

"Mom said you're already pregnant," he said after letting go of my hand, his eyes drifting to my belly. I felt a shiver run down my spine. My heart started beating erratically inside my chest.

"Congratulations, Bianca."

"Tthank you."

His eyes went back to meet mine. This time, I looked away from him. I couldn't handle his stares. His cold and dead eyes were suffocating me.

I couldn't blame Charlie for acting like this. Like we didn't know each other. Like I was a complete stranger to him.

I deserved all of these. I've hurt him. I broke up with him over the phone. And that same day, I married his brother.

"I'm sorry we’ve only met now," Charlie said. "I was in India for work."

"It's okay..." I could feel the tears starting to form in the corner of my eyes. I blinked them away as I tried to smile at Charlie.

I didn't want Amelia to notice anything. Only Gideon knew about my past relationship with Charlie.

"Oh, I already mentioned to Bianca that you're a travel photographer," Amelia said to his adopted son. "And that you're always out of the country. Well, good thing you finally managed to get home for my birthday, Charlie." Amelia slightly rolled her eyes. "You've been away for five months. I thought you'd already forgotten about your family."

Charlie chuckled as he turned to Amelia.

Oh. How I missed that laugh.

"Aww... I missed you too, Mom. Don't worry, I'll stay here for a while."

"I… excuse me. I'll leave you two for now," I finally managed to say. "Macy asked me for a piece of cake."

"Sure, Bianca," Amelia smiled at me.

I glanced at Charlie, who was now back with his cold expression. He nodded at me.

I was forced to give him a small smile before I walked away from them.

"What took you so long?" The kid asked me after I was back at our table.

"I... I saw your Uncle Charlie," I muttered absentmindedly as I gave her a plate of dessert.

"Oh, you've met Uncle Charlie? He's so nice. He gave me a big Barbie collection for my birthday."

I didn't answer her. Instead, I picked up a glass of water in front of me and sipped it, trying to calm myself down.

I had no idea that Charlie was already back. If I had known that I'd see him at this party, I would have pretended to be sick. I wasn't ready to face him.

I could still remember the last time we talked. It was when Gideon forced me to break things off with Charlie. Everything felt like it happened yesterday.

I clearly remembered how I broke his heart when I told him I was in a relationship with another man and was about to marry him.

Then… after Gideon and I's wedding, the biggest shock came to me when I found out that Charlie was Gideon's adoptive brother.

I looked away as I felt the corner of my eyes heating up. But then I saw Charlie. He was now talking to an old woman. I felt a needle pierce my heart as I saw Charlie smile. I had never once forgotten about him. Until now… I was still in love with him.

Charlie was the best thing that happened to me.

Until Gideon entered the picture and ruined everything for me.

I remembered Charlie had promised me that he would introduce me to his family when he came back from India. But that didn't happen.

And now, I am stuck in this hellhole.

"Bianca, can I have that thing?"

Macy poked my arm and pointed at the roaming waiter near us. She was pointing at the tray of caviar the waiter was holding.

I suddenly felt nauseous just by the sight of it.

"No. That's not for kids."

"You okay? You look like you're about to cry."

"I nneed to go to the restroom." I placed a hand on my mouth as I excused myself from her. I went to a dark corner of the garden and vomited everything I had eaten earlier that day.

This is the first time my stomach got upset over the sight of food.

"Bianca, are you okay?"

I felt my body stiffen when a familiar voice filled my ears. It was… Charlie. What is he doing here?

I slowly looked up and I found him in front of me.

"Here. Clean yourself up." He handed me a white handkerchief. His voice was cold... but his eyes were filled with something.

It took me a moment before I accepted it. "Tthank you. What are you doing here?" I felt nervous as he watched me wipe my mouth with his handkerchief.

I could feel my heart starting to beat faster. Did he follow me here?

"I saw you running away with your hand on your mouth. I thought something was wrong, so I followed you."

I clenched the white cloth in my hand. "I just… felt upset with the smell of caviar."

"Caviar?" His eyes slightly slanted. "That's your favorite, right?"

I cleared my throat. "Well, not anymore. My… baby hates it."

His eyes drifted to my belly. "Mom says you're four months pregnant. Is that true?"

This time, I felt like my heart stopped beating for a second. I swallowed.

"Yes," I said, in my most casual voice. "I'm four months pregnant with Gideon's child."

Charlie's eyes found mine. "Is it really Gideon's, Bianca?" he asked, his dark orbs boring into mine.

"Wwhat are you talking about, Charlie?" I muttered, my lips parted in disbelief. "Of course, this is Gideon's."

He couldn't know that this child was him and not Gideon.

I'm sorry, Charlie. But this is both for our own good.

"Excuse me. I need to go back," I said before I walked past him. I needed to avoid him. At all costs.

"Bianca, wait." He stopped me by grabbing my arm. I was forced to turn my head on him.

"What's this?" Charlie's dark eyebrows were now crossed in one line. His eyes were on my wrist.

"You have a bruise," he said, his thumb touching the red mark on my skin.

I took my hand from him. "Don't touch me, Charlie."

I looked at him and was welcomed by Charlie's sharp eyes. His lips were almost in a grim line. "Is Gideon hurting you, Bianca?"

My lips parted. "Nno. Of course not. He could never do that to me."

"Then why do you have that bruise?"

I swallowed as I touched my left wrist with my thumb. I wanted to walk away and ignore his question, but I knew that would make him doubt me even more.

"This is none of your business, Charlie. But to answer you… I had this last night… when Gideon and I had sex. Your brother and I… we both liked it hard."

Charlie's eyebrows crossed in one line. "You both like it hard? But you're pregnant, Bianca," he muttered in a cold voice, not believing me for a bit.

He looked me in the eyes. His sharp eyes were piercing through my soul. I could hear my heart wanting to get out of my body.

His face softened a bit. "Your eyes… they're telling me you're lying. Be honest with me, is Gideon hurting you?"

I opened my mouth to answer... but then I closed them again when I saw Gideon walking towards us.

"What are you doing here with my wife?"

"GGIDEON!" I muttered when Gideon grabbed me in the arm and placed me at his side.

He didn't give me a glance as his eyes stayed on Charlie.

"What are you doing with my wife, Charlie?" Gideon asked in a dark voice. "Didn't I ask you to stay away from her?"

"I saw your wife throwing up, Gideon," Charlie answered with the same dangerous voice as Gideon. "I just helped her. If you don't want to see you with another man, then you should've never left her side."

I could feel the tension between the two men. I knew Gideon hated his brother. But Charlie... this is the first time I've seen him with this expression on his face.

"GGideon... Charlie just helped me." I grabbed his left arm. "Let's go..."

I knew Gideon wouldn't make a scene here. And Charlie... he's never violent, but he's very perceptive. I didn't want him to notice anything.

Gideon's left arm snaked to my waist. "The next time I see you near my wife, you know what I'd do, Charlie." He gritted his teeth before pulling me away.

"Gideon..." Charlie muttered coldly, making both Gideon and I stop.

"Did you hurt Bianca?"

I felt like my heart had stopped beating in my chest.

Gideon dropped his hand that was on my waist and turned around to face Charlie.

"Me? Hurting Bianca?" Gideon let out a dark chuckle. "Do you really think I'll be able to do that to my pregnant wife?"

"Why don't we ask your wife?" Charlie replied, his voice challenging the man in front of him.

Charlie, please stop.

I shut my eyes for a moment before I turned around. I never dared look at Charlie. I was afraid that my eyes would give me away.

Gideon turned to me. He was smiling. But I knew what he really meant with that smile. "Did I ever hurt you, Bianca?"

I shook my head. "No. You never hurt me, Gideon."

Gideon drew his gaze back to his brother. "See? I never hurt Bianca. Tell me, Charlie? Why are you doing this?" Gideon smirked evilly. "You still can't accept that Bianca chose me over you, can you?"

"Shut it, Gideon. This is not about that."

This time, I couldn't help but glance at Charlie. He clenched his fist as he stared coldly at his brother.

"Just remember this, Gideon. The moment I learn you are hurting your wife, you don't want to know what I'd do to you." Charlie said as he walked away from us.

My eyes widened as I followed Charlie's back. What did he mean by that?

"What did you tell Charlie?" Gideon whispered through gritted teeth as he dragged me to the exit of the hotel.

"I didn't tell him anything, Gideon." I gulped. "Are we going home now?"

I felt his grip tighten on my waist. "We no longer have business here."

I anxiously looked at him. His face was grim. "Bbut we haven't said our goodbye to your mother."

"I'll just call her later."

We were nearing the exit when Amelia saw us.

"Where are you two going?"

"We're already heading home, Mom." Gideon flashed his mother a smile. "Bianca was already tired. She needs rest." I felt him caress my arm.

"Oh. Take care, dear."

Amelia gave me a peck on the cheek before she let us go.

Our whole ride to our home was quiet. I gulped as I saw Gideon gritting his teeth as he gripped hard on the steering wheel.

"Gideon, slow down..." I said, nervous about how fast he drives and with his grim expression.

"Shut up, Bianca," he barked, throwing me a dark look.

"Now, tell me. What did you two really do there?" he asked me the moment we entered our house.

"Nothing, Gideon." I answered as I sat on the couch, taking off my shoes. "He just helped me. Like what he said to you." As soon as I took off my shoes, I stood up. "I'll head to our room."

"We're not yet done." In an instant, he was already in front of me. "What did you tell him?"

"Nothing, Gideon. I didn't tell him anything."

"Stop lying to me, Bianca." He gritted his teeth.

I swallowed. "I'm telling the truth, Gideon. I didn't tell Charlie anything. But he saw a bruise on my pulse." I showed him my left wrist.

He grabbed my wrist and looked at me with slanted eyes. "You let him touch you?"

"I…" I didn't manage to finish when he dragged me to the wall. My back touched the cold wall.

"Don't lie to me, Bianca. What did you tell him?" he asked. His dark eyes zeroed in on me. His jaw clenched hard.

"GGideon, I'm not lying. Let go. I'm hurting."

My eyes widened when he gripped my mouth, forcing it to open. "You will really get hurt if you won't be honest with him." He warned. "I repeat, Bianca. What. Did. You. Tell. Him?"

I blinked back the tears in the corner of my eyes. "I said nothing."

"I know you still love him, Bianca.” He smirked evilly. "Did you tell him that, huh? Did you tell him you missed him? Did you tell him he's the father of your fucking baby?"

A tear fell from my eyes as I felt pain in my mouth.

He's really a devil! "You're right! I still love Charlie." I answered him as I gritted my teeth. "But I didn't tell him anything, Gideon. I didn't tell him that you only forced me to marry you… and that he's the father of my baby!" I looked at him, my eyes burning in fury.

"Now, let go of me, you devil! Bbecause if something happens to my child, I will hurt you, Gideon."

His grip tightened as he dragged me away from the wall.

"Before you do that, I'd hurt you first, bitch," he said, before pushing me down to the carpeted floor.

My back hit something hard. A wince escaped me.

"You know I hate it when you talk back to me."

I didn't answer. I just shut my eyes and gritted my teeth and listened to his footsteps as he walked away from me.

When I opened my eyes, Gideon was already gone. I slowly stood up... but then my eyes widened in panic when I saw blood gushing out of my legs.

"My baby... No..."

I TOOK a deep breath as I stared at the suitcase in front of me.

This is it, Bianca. No more backing out.

Today, I finally decided to escape from Gideon. I couldn't allow myself to stay with him any longer.

After what happened that night... five days ago... I suddenly found the courage to leave.

I know how powerful Gideon is. I have all the reasons to be scared of him. But if I continued to be like this—scared, weak, and pathetic—I would lose my baby.

I shut my eyes when I remembered how terrified I was that night... when I thought I already lost my baby.

"If something happened to my baby, I would have fucking killed you, Gideon Henry." I angrily muttered to Gideon. The corner of my eyes were hot with unshed tears.

I was lying on our kingsized bed after our doctor left.

Of course. The powerful and ruthless Gideon Henry didn't drive me to the hospital. Instead, he called for a private doctor to come to his house.

My hand protectively held onto my belly. The doctor told me I only had a minor bleeding earlier, and I have nothing to worry about because my baby is strong. When he asked me about what happened earlier, I told him I accidentally slipped on the staircase.

"Really, Bianca?" Gideon retorted, giving me a sharp and cold look from the door of the room. "You really think you could kill me when you can't even hurt a damn fly?"

I gritted my teeth as I matched his sharp eyes. "You don't know what I can do to protect this child."

"You really love my fucking brother that you're willing to kill just to protect his child?" he asked, his voice dripping with acid.

"This is not about Charlie, Gideon."

"I told you not to say his fucking name in front of me." His jaw clenched. "If you really want to protect your baby, be a good wife to me."

"Am I not still being a good wife to you?" I hissed. "I do everything you say. I quit my fucking job. I play my part as your loving and smitten wife in front of everyone."

"Then stay that way, Bianca." He stepped towards me and sat on the corner of the bed. His hand went to my face. This time... his touch was gentle, but his eyes... they were as cold as ice.

"Continue acting like the loving wife that you are." He lifted my chin and met my eyes. "And stay the fuck out of my brother. Because the next time I see you two again, you don't want to imagine what I'd do."

I picked up my suitcase and headed to the door. I have already made up my mind. I'm leaving him.

I couldn't continue being like this. I needed to be brave. I needed to stand up. In order to protect my baby.

If I continued to stay with Gideon, who knows what else he could do next time.

I couldn't imagine losing this baby inside me. No. I couldn't let that happen. Never.

I placed my hand on my belly as I put my suitcase in the trunk of my car.

I promise I'll give you a good life. I'll work hard for the two of us.

Gideon was currently on a threeday business trip to Atlanta. With him away, this was my chance to escape this hellhole.

Gideon... he's really confident that I would never escape from him. That I would continue to be the obedient, fearful wife that I was.

You're wrong, Gideon. And thanks for underestimating me. I said sarcastically.

I smirked as I entered the driver's seat of my car.

For one last time, I glanced at the bungalow Mediterranean style house that became my prison for months. A bittersweet smile escaped my lips as I started the car.

Thirty minutes later, I was already nearing the exit of Los Angeles. I was on my way to Texas, where my best friend Andrea lives. Gideon didn't know about her.

But I knew I wouldn't stay long in Texas. I needed to go somewhere far. Where Gideon couldn't see me. If I needed to leave everything behind and start a new life on the other end of the globe, I'd do it. Just to get away with my devil of a husband.

My thoughts got interrupted when my cell phone rang. I glanced at the gadget on the dashboard. I saw Amelia on the screen. I frowned. Why was she calling me? For a second, I hesitated on answering it. But I guessed this would be the last time I'll be hearing her voice. Unlike Gideon, his mother had been so good to me.

"Amelia, hi..." I said, after putting on my earpiece.

"Bbianca..." I frowned when I heard her sniff on the other line. She sounded as if she was on the verge of breaking down.

"Amelia, what's wrong?"

"Wwe need to fly to Atlanta right now, Bianca. Prepare ssome things. I'll have ssomeone pick you up at your home. He'll be there in thirty."

I swear... there was something wrong in her voice. She was like... panicking. And why do we need to fly to Atlanta?

My lips parted with a sudden realization. Did Gideon find out about my escape? And now he's using Amelia to stop me?

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. My heart started pounding inside my chest.

I glanced at the screen on my phone. How did Gideon find out that I'm leaving? Did he put a tracking device on it?

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

"AAmelia, why are we going to Atlanta?"

"MGideon..." Amelia muttered in a shaky low voice. "Gideon... he got into an accident, Bianca. Tthe hospital called us. Mmy son's in a critical condition."

"Wwhat?" I croaked. I accidentally hit the brake of the car in the middle of the road.

My lips remained parted as Amelia's words kept on playing in my head. Gideon... there was an accident. And he's in critical condition.

"Bianca... are you there?"

"Yyes… I…"

My eyes widened when I saw a truck coming my way. I tried to step on the gas, but I realized it was too late. The next thing I knew, I saw my own blood before I lost my consciousness.

I woke up in an unfamiliar room. It took me a while before I could finally open my eyes and adjust to the blinding lights.

"Bianca, you're awake."

I stopped when I heard a familiar voice beside me. I turned to my side and saw... Charlie. He was sitting on the couch near me. He looked like he just woke up with his slightly disheveled hair and creased longsleeve shirt.

What was he doing here? My lips parted when he stood up and went to me.

I looked around the room. Everything was white. My heart started pounding.

"Wwhere am I?" I asked, my lips trembling when I saw the IV tube on my arm.

"You're in the hospital, Bianca."

Just like that, everything came back to me. I was finally escaping from Gideon. I was driving on the road when I received a call from Amelia... saying that Gideon had been in an accident.

The news shocked me that I momentarily forgot I was in the middle of the road. Then... a truck. It was coming my way. The last thing u saw before I lost my consciousness... was my own blood.

My hand automatically dropped to my belly. Tears formed in my eyes when I couldn't feel anything there. It felt empty.

"Mmy baby?" I looked at Charlie, who was now standing in front of me. "What happened to my baby?"

"Bianca..." His voice was low. "I'm sorry." He sighed. "The baby... you lost him in the accident."

Charlie tried to touch my arm, but I swatted it away.

"No!" I shut my eyes as tears escaped them. "Tell me my baby's fine. Tell me it's here." I clutched my empty belly. "No. I didn't lose my baby. It's still here!"

"Mrs. Henry, please calm down."

I didn't realize there was already a nurse inside my room. She touched my arm, but just like Charlie, I pushed her away.

"No." I angrily shook my head as I rejected the truth. Tears continuously swelled in my eyes. "This isn't true. The doctor said my baby's strong. I didn't lose my baby! You're all lying!"

"Bianca… please. You're still recovering."

"No! No! Please tell me I didn't lose my baby!" I turned to Charlie but I failed to see his reaction. My eyes were too blurry with tears.

"Bianca… I'm sorry."

I shut my eyes, but tears continuously fell from them. "I don't need your sorry. I want my baby! My baby..." I sobbed as reality slowly sank into me. My baby's now gone. I promised I'd protect my baby... but I failed to do it.

"Bianca… please." I felt his arms on my shoulders.

I shook my head. "Just… leave me alone, Charlie. I needed to be alone. Please…" My voice broke as I pleaded the last word. I shut my eyes and balled my hands into a fist.

I heard a sigh. "Alright. We'll leave the room, Bianca. But please... press on the intercom if you need anything."

I didn't know how long I was crying until I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was welcomed again by Charlie. I noticed that his clothes were different now.

He cleared his throat. "You need to eat, Bianca."

I had no idea how many hours had passed. I had only stopped crying when I felt like I couldn't cry anymore.

I only glanced at the tray of food on the table. I didn't want to eat. I didn't even feel hungry. "I'm not hungry."

Empty. That's what I've been feeling right now. There's a huge void inside me that couldn't be filled.

He sighed. "You need to eat if you want to recover fast, Bianca."

I looked at him with dead eyes. "What if I don't want to recover?"

I saw how his lips parted. "Don't say that, Bianca," he said in a gentle voice. "You already lost your baby. You can't lose yourself... You have to be strong."

"You don't know anything, Charlie," I cut him off.

I didn't just lose my baby. I also had lost my will to live. Tears started to form in the corners of my eyes. I had already lost my father four months ago. And this time... it was my baby who was taken away from me.

Why did I even survive this accident if the only thing that was keeping me alive was now taken away from me?

"Bianca..."

I turned to him. His eyes... they were looking at me with concern.

"Why are you here, Charlie?"

The last time I saw him... he was acting cold to me—No… despite the cold treatment, I still knew that he still cared. That night, when he saw my bruise, he showed his concern.

Charlie cleared his throat. "Mom and Dad… they're in Atlanta right now. My mother asked me to take care of you."

I looked away. "I need you to get out, Charlie."

Charlie being here was only making the pain worse. He's the living reminder of everything that I had lost.

Every time I looked at him, I felt like my heart was breaking all over again. He was triggering different emotions in me. Pain. Longing. Guilt. Too much guilt.

I couldn't… I couldn't even tell him the truth. That the baby I lost was also his.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I don't need you here, Charlie."

He clenched his jaw. "I know you don't want my presence, Bianca. But I'll stay here… until Gideon gets transferred here. You need someone to look after you."

"I don't need someone to look after me. I can handle myself."

I heard him sigh. "Don't be stubborn, Bianca. I'll stay here whether you like it or not. If you're not comfortable with my presence, I'm sorry. But you can't do anything about it. You married Gideon. My brother. That makes us... family."

I stilled. Gideon. He was in an accident and in critical condition.

My head turned to Charlie. "Hhow's Gideon?"

"Gideon… fell into coma, Bianca."

"OH. I'm so sorry, Bianca." Amelia cried as she pulled me into a tight embrace. It was my third day in the hospital when Amelia and Darwin came.

I thought I had already become numb from the past three days. But the moment I heard Amelia sobbed, hot liquid pooled in my eyes.

"My poor grandchild."

I didn't know how long we stayed in each other's arms until we both calmed down.

"I'm sorry it took us days before we visited you," Amelia apologized while holding my arms.

I stared at her. She seemed five years older than the last time I saw her—at her own party a week ago. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Her porcelain skin was now dry and saggy.

"How are you, Bianca?" she asked in a gentle voice. "Charlie told me you're not properly eating your meals."

"I don't have the appetite," I said in a weak voice.

She grabbed my hand and gently pressed it. "The baby... Charlie said he looked just like you."

"CCharlie?"

"Yes… Bianca." Amelia gave a gentle smile. "Charlie buried him in the family mausoleum."

I didn't know that. Charlie and I didn't chat the whole time he was here. He was just there… checking on me. Reminding me to eat. He didn't tell me that he saw my baby. That he was the one who arranged for his burial.

Another tear rolled down my cheek. My baby. I still couldn't accept that he was gone. I hadn't even seen him. I hadn't even got a chance to hold him in my arms.

I'm so sorry, baby.

"I'm sorry, Amelia," I turned to her, sobbing. "It was my fault." I shut my eyes. "If… if I didn't go out that day…"

I suddenly remembered Gideon's words to me.

"Nothing will ever happen to your child if you stay to be a good wife to me."

I smiled bitterly. In the end, everything just boils down to me. It was my fault I lost my baby.

If I hadn't gone out that day… If I hadn't answered Amelia's call… If I hadn't decided to leave Gideon…

I shook my head. No. If only I had been strong enough. If I had only stood up to him from the start. If only I hadn't gotten scared. If only I had decided to leave him earlier. None of this would have happened.

"Please, don't say that, Bianca. None of it was your fault." Amelia caressed my arm. "You didn't want any of this to happen."

Despite the tears in her eyes, she gave me a gentle smile.

I looked at Amelia. She had always treated me with kindness. I remembered how she threw a dinner party when she learned I was pregnant. How she comforted me when my father died. Somehow, the old woman reminded me of my late mother.

No matter how much I hate Gideon… I could never hate his mother.

She'd been a perfect motherinlaw. It was just unfortunate that I was married to her other son.

"Amelia... hhow's Gideon?" I finally managed to ask after a moment of silence.

"Hhe's still in the ICU, Bianca." Tears formed in Amelia's eyes. "Last night... his condition went stable. That's why the doctor gave us a signal to transfer him. Bbut this morning... his brain stopped responding. The doctor couldn't tell if he's going to wake up anytime soon."

"I… I understand." I bit my lower lip and looked away.

I stared at the window of my hospital room. Maybe… I shouldn't have asked Amelia. I didn't want her to see my lack of reaction to what she had just said.

"I'm so sorry, Bianca." Amelia grabbed my arm and pulled me again in a hug. "I know... I know it must be so hard for you. You already lost your child. And now... Gideon."

I shut my eyes as I listened to her broken voice. Yes. I hated Gideon. No. I didn't just hate him. loathe him. He ruined my life.

If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't have lost my baby.

If only Gideon had been good to me. If only he had treated me better. If only he hadn't appeared in my life…

But despite everything I felt for him, I never wished him dead. No matter how much I despise him, I never wanted him to end up in this situation.

"Gideon..." I uttered his name as I stood in front of his unconscious body.

Three days later, the doctor finally allowed me to leave my hospital room. I had decided to finally pay Gideon a visit in the ICU.

From afar, no one would recognize that the man lying on the bed was Gideon Henry.

He looked different from the powerful and formidable Gideon that I had been used to seeing for the past months.

Half of his body was covered in bandages. His head was shaved. His face was swollen from different cuts and bruises.

Aside from the IV fluid on his arm, different apparatuses were attached to his body.

Amelia told me that Gideon was driving back to his hotel when his car crashed into another vehicle. Both of the vehicles were fast, so the collision was severe. Gideon's car was a total wreck. The doctor had told them that Gideon's chance of survival was slim.

"I hate you so much Gideon…"

I muttered, the corner of my eyes burning with hot tears.

"I hate you for everything you've done to me. For making me leave Charlie. For forcing me into marrying you. For making our marriage a hellhole. You've ruined my life, Gideon."

I croaked as tears finally escaped my eyes. "If you didn't come into my life, I'm sure I'm living a happy life right now. With Charlie… and our baby."

My voice broke. "But you suddenly came and ruined everything for me, Gideon. You've deprived me of happiness. God knows how much I hate you." I shut my eyes when I felt my lips were already trembling. I stopped, took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

"But you know what?" I said. I opened my eyes and looked at him again. "Despite the amount of hate I feel for you… I never… wished you to die. So you have to wake up, Gideon. You're one of the biggest assholes on this planet, right? You're cruel, selfish, cunning… You're evil. People like you don't die this early. So wake up, Gideon. Wake up for Amelia."

Five months ago…

"Will you miss me?" Charlie asked as he rested both of his hands on my shoulders.

I tilted my chin to meet his eyes. "Of course," I said, pouting my lips. "My fiance will be away for three months. I'm sure as hell going to miss him badly."

Charlie was my boyfriend, who became my fiancé a week ago. We met each other three months ago in the New York public library.

I couldn't forget the first time we met. I was in the adult section of the library when he approached me and asked for directions. And because I got mesmerized by his face, I accidentally gave him the wrong direction.

A playful smile appeared on his lips. "Would you come with me, then?"

I pouted as I played with his hair. "You know I have work, right?" I was working as a children's librarian at the New York Public Library, where we met.

"Yeah." He chuckled, making his eyes turn into slits. "I'm just trying my luck."

Charlie was halfAmerican, halfKorean. He was so good looking with his mixed Asian and western features.

"Come on, just give your fiancé a kiss."

Fiancé. I repeated the word in my head. Damn. Until now, I still couldn't believe that this handsome man in front of me was going to marry me soon.

Last week, Charlie proposed to me. We were having our latenight walk in Central Park when he suddenly knelt in front of me and pulled out a ring.

Of course, I said yes to him. Who wouldn't? In the three months that I've known him, I was already sure that he's the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

Charlie is everything I had asked for. Aside from his charming looks, he's smart, sensible, and kind. On top of that, he's also a good cook. He's like a lead character cut straight from the romance novels that I used to read.

I'd had my fair share of boyfriends over the past years. But this was the first time I had felt this deep connection with someone.

I bit my lower lip as I stared at his handsome face. "We've already kissed back at the apartment."

We were at JFK Airport. He has a flight scheduled an hour from now.

Charlie was a travel photographer. He works with BBC, National Geographic, and other travel magazines. He's used to traveling the world for his work. This time, he'd be gone to India for two months.

He licked his lower lip. "You know, I'd never get tired of your lips."

Before I could react, he had already lowered his head and claimed my lips in a passionate kiss.

I wrapped my arms around his nape and kissed him back.

"I love you," I said, breathless after he let go of me. I bit my lip when I saw the dark glint in his eyes. Those chocolate brown eyes of his were my favorite. I would never get tired of staring at them.

"I love you..." He kissed the tip of my nose. "When I come back, I'll talk to your father. Then I'll bring you to LA to meet my parents."

From my shoulder, his left hand moved to mine. He took my hand and caressed my fingers.

I smiled when my eyes zeroed in on the diamond engagement ring he gave me.

"Looking forward to that, Charlie."

We shared another passionate kiss before he entered the departure area of JFK Airport.

"Oh my God! He has already proposed to you?" I almost winced when Helen's voice filled my car.

Helen was my closest friend. We were classmates at NYU. She moved to Texas when she got married two years ago. Her husband was a Texas rancher.

"Well, yeah." I answered, smiling as I glanced at my left hand on the steering wheel.

It had been an hour since I drove Charlie to the airport. I was now on my way to Portland to visit my father. After my mother died two years ago, it was only my father who was left alone in our house in Portland.

Yesterday, he called me, and demanded that I visit him. I hadn't been able to visit him for the past two months. So, after leaving the airport, I decided to travel to my hometown. I was excited to tell my father the news that his daughter is now engaged.

I heard Helen gasp from the other line. "I did a search on him on the internet. He's a famous photographer for the BBC. And damn! He's successful and dropdead gorgeous."

I lightly shook my head. I just told her Charlie's name, and it seemed like she already knew everything about him. Well... what could I expect. That's typical Helen. She loves digging up people.

I remembered before, she was the source of celebrity gossip at the university.

I pursed my lips. "I already know that, Helen."

"Did you already know that he's the adopted son of the famous billionaire, Bianca?" she asked.

My brows shot up a bit. I didn't know that about him. All I knew was that he's adopted and his family resides in LA. He only told me his mother was a philanthropist and that his father and only brother were both businessmen.

One of the things I like about him is his being down to earth. A smile curled on my lips when I remembered how we ate Chinese takeout on my apartment's rooftop on our first date.

"He's the son of Amelia and Darwin Henry. Oh my God, Bianca. Your fiancée is freaking rich!"

During our three months of being together, Charlie only mentioned his family a few times. He said his adoptive parents were both nice, especially his mother. He promised he would introduce me to them after he was back from India. But he didn't mention anything about his brother.

"It didn't matter if he's from a rich family, Helen. I fell in love with him because he's Charlie. Not because he's famous or he's successful."

"Well, you're right," she agreed. "His looks are more than enough for me."

I just shook my head and stifled a laugh.

After five hours of driving, I arrived at my hometown.

"When did you come back, Bianca?" A familiar old woman greeted me when I stopped over at my father's favorite diner here in Portland.

"Just today." I smiled as I looked at the menu. "I want the usual." I said, talking about the meal my father used to order here.

"How's your father, Bianca? I haven't seen him for three weeks now."

My forehead creased. "He hasn't come here in the past days?"

"No. I thought he's sick or something."

This time, my lips parted in confusion and worry. Was Dad sick? But he didn't sound sick on the phone earlier.

"Thanks, Frances." As soon as I got my order, I went back to my car.

I drove down the familiar road until I reached my father's twostory house sitting in the suburb where I grew up.

I was the only child of my parents. When my mother died, I convinced Dad to come and live with me in New York, but he refused.

The moment I parked my car in front of the house, I already knew something was off. There was a lot of unwanted grass on the lawn. It has never happened before. My mother's favorite part of this house was the lawn. One of the reasons Dad never wanted to go with me was because he said he could never leave this house.

"Dad!" I called as I entered the door. My lips parted when I saw the empty bottles of beer on the carpeted floor. When Mom died, Dad went into depression. But he was able to move past it. After a month, he got back to his old self.

"Dad!" I worriedly went to my father, who was sitting on the sofa. His eyes were closed. He looked asleep. I noticed the visible wrinkles on his face. He seemed like he had aged dramatically since the last time I saw him.

His stubble was an inch longer than how he usually keeps it. His white tshirt was stained with grease.

He looked like he hadn't been taking care of himself. What happened while I was away?

Did Dad fall into depression again? But he sounded fine every time we talked on the phone.

"Wake up, Dad." I tapped his arm. "I'm here."

"Bianca... you're here." A smile escaped his lips when he saw me. "How's your trip? Do you want something to eat?" He stood up from the couch. "I have bolognese in the kitchen. It's still your favorite, right?"

"Dad, what's wrong?" I said, ignoring him. "You look like a mess."

He looked away. "I'm sorry, Bianca. I've been so busy these past days."

My forehead creased. "Busy with what? Dad, I stopped by at Cherry's diner . She told me she hasn't seen you for three weeks now. And the lawn." I pointed at the lawn outside. "It looks like it hasn't been cleaned for weeks. And this mess!" My eyes went to the empty bottles of beer on the floor.

"Are you having a problem, Dad? Why did you ask to see me?"

"Nothing's wrong, Bianca." He gave me a faint smile. "I just feel alone here and I wanted to see you."

My frown deepened. "Dad, you know you can't lie to me, right? So tell me, what's wrong?"

Dad sat back on the sofa. He lowered his head and covered his face with his hands.

"Dad..." I sat next to him. "What's the problem?"

He slowly looked at me. My lips parted when I saw the tears in the corner of his wrinkled eyes.

"I'm sorry, Bianca. I… made a huge mistake. I shouldn't have trusted that man."

"Huh? What are you talking about, Dad?" I asked, confused. "What man?"

"I'm... going to jail, Bianca."

My lips parted. "Wwhat…" I held him in the arm. "Wwhat did you mean, Dad? What do you mean you're going to jail? What did you do?"

He shook his head and evaded my eyes. "I'm in a huge debt, Bianca."

"Dad, I don't understand. Wwhat do you mean?"

"Gideon Henry. I owe him two million dollars. And now, he's threatening to send me to jail if I don't pay his money back within a month."

"LAST month, I lost a lot of money at the casino. There, I met Mr. Gideon Henry. He lent me a huge amount of money without asking for collateral… He said he's confident that I could win back all the money I lost…"

I was pacing back and forth in front of Dad as I listened to his explanation.

"But that didn't happen… I didn't win. I lost every penny I borrowed from him. Gideon Henry… gave me one month to pay off my debt. He said that if I didn't pay him on time, he would send me to jail."

"Dad…" I stopped in front of him. I shut my eyes as my hand went to my forehead. "Why did you only tell me about this now?" We just talked on the phone last week, and he didn't mention anything to me. "Why did you keep me in the dark, Dad?"

"I didn't want to give you problems, Bianca."

I wanted to get mad at him. For hiding things from me. But somehow, I wanted to blame myself for not being perceptive enough. I thought he was doing fine here. I had no idea he was already dealing with something.

I let out a sigh as I settled beside him. "Dad, I'm your daughter. I have the right to know about these things."

He shook his head. "I didn't ask you to come here to help you solve my problems, Bianca." A weary smile appeared on his face. "I just wanted to see you before I go to jail."

"Stop it, Dad. You're not going to jail." I told him. "No matter how much money you owe that Mr. Henry, he can't send you to jail. That's against the law." I placed my hand on his back. "Don't worry, Dad. We'll settle this. We'll find a way to pay him on time."

I closed my eyes as I remembered how much debt my father was facing. Two million dollars. Just… how are we going to pay that in two weeks?

He looked at me. "I thought Mr. Henry was a kind man. But I was wrong, Bianca. I'm sorry for trusting him."

Gideon Henry. This was the first time I heard that name. What kind of asshole was he for threatening to send my father to jail?

"Dad... that Gideon Henry. Where could I find him?"