

My Husband’s First Love Beat Me into Miscarriage
After five years of marriage, I finally conceived Grady Winters' child against all odds. Eager to share the joyful news in person, I arrived at his company only to encounter Melissa Angeles, his first love just returned from abroad. What followed was a nightmare - scalding soup, a violent push down the stairs, and the cold realization that Grady might not be the husband I thought he was. As I lay bleeding on the floor, her mocking laughter and his apparent complicity shattered my world forever.Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Congratulations!
"Congratulations! The report shows that you're now 15 weeks pregnant." My hands trembled as I held the report, never once expecting this. When I married Grady, the doctor had already mentioned it was not easy for me to conceive. Even after years of marriage, there was still no news, and I was gradually losing hope that I could ever conceive naturally. Yet, with my busy schedule over the past few months, I hadn't been keeping track of my period cycle. And now, I was blessed with such a surprise! To calm my racing heart, I took a few deep breaths as the doctor explained, "The baby is developing healthily, but the embryo is not in its ideal position. Rest well, but avoid being emotional and any intense activity." I gently touched my slightly rounded belly, feeling a sense of peace and contentment. My recent weight gain, I figured, was due to my continuous struggles to maintain my figure, but it turned out to be my baby—the one Grady and I had anticipated for the last five years. I pulled out my phone, about to tell Grady the good news when I suddenly remembered something. Breaking into a smile, I decided that I would want to share this with him in person. Knowing that Grady was under immense pressure at work and not having a proper diet, I headed home to whip up Grady's favorite dish—cream of yam and millet. The bubbling pot released a fragrant steam, filling the air with the sweet scent of millet. Spotting my gentle reflection in the mist, I felt my heart swelling with happiness. … I carried the thermos to Grady's company. When I punched the elevator button for the executive floor, a cold female voice answered, to which I explained that I was delivering food. The woman scoffed. "The elevator is broken. Use the stairs." Such an unfamiliar tone caught me off guard, but I didn't care much about it. I figured it could be Grady's new assistant. His office wasn't situated on a high floor, so I decided to take the stairs after pondering momentarily. It would be bad if I disturbed Grady when he was swamped with work. I was sweating buckets by the time I arrived in front of his office and was about to open the door when someone rudely slapped my hand away. Caught off guard, my hand was in tremendous pain. I resisted snapping, recalling the doctor's advice to keep my emotions in check. "I'm here to bring lunch to Grady," I explained. The exquisitely dressed woman in front of me looked me up and down, then laughed disdainfully. I had chosen to wear loose clothing to be comfortable for the baby, and after climbing the stairs, I probably looked a bit disheveled. “I’ve met plenty of women with that excuse before. It doesn't mean that you can have your shot at Grady just by climbing a few flights of stairs," the woman said, casually fiddling with her manicured nails. “Do you think your looks are enough to win him over?""I'm his wife. I have to tell him something, so please let me in." I didn't want to argue with her and reached for the door handle again. She shoved me back, yanking me all the way to the stairwell. In the scuffle, she scratched my skin, leaving a few bloody marks While safeguarding the thermos with one hand, I used the other one to protect my belly. "I'm Grady's first love," came her response. "When I went abroad to study, he promised he'd wait for me. I had no idea he was already married. So, who are you to think you can replace me?" So, she was Melissa Angeles, the lover Grady had when he studied abroad. She pushed me so hard that I fell to the ground, the thermos rolling away beside me. I was just inches away from tumbling down the stairs, so I reached for the banister. Yet, she was relentless, tugging at my hair and causing my eyes to well up with tears from the pain. "No, I'm pregnant with Grady's child. Let go of me, or he'll make you pay for this." I felt her grip falter for a second before she adopted a scornful tone. "Who do you think you are to be Mrs. Winters?" Without any hesitation, she pushed me once again, causing me to lose my balance and fall off the stairs, yelling. A sharp pain shot through my abdomen as I lay curled on the floor. Melissa calmly walked over in her heels. "Spare me the act. I've seen plenty of women like you." I heard the thermos pop open but struggled to lift my head. The scalding soup poured down on me as she feigned sympathy. "This is my favorite cream of yam and millet, you know. In a way, I'm letting you off easy." The thick, hot soup dripped down my hair. The pain was so intense I could barely breathe. "What's going on, Mel?" a voice queried from the staircase, causing Melissa to panic.
Chapter 2 Chapter 2 This is Me
'My savior's here!' A glimmer of hope surfaced in my heart, as I summoned all my courage to sit up. However, Melissa relaxed when she saw who had come. Standing in the doorway were a few unfamiliar faces, and she greeted them with a pleasant smile. My grip on my purse tightened, and I secretly reached out for my phone. With a mocking glint, Melissa crouched down beside me. "What's up? Judging from your depression, you've bribed some of Grady's employees, right? No wonder you dared to barge into the company." Her laughter was as frigid as the wintry winds, and she gleamed with satisfaction. "The team of specialists? I brought them back from abroad for the company's sake. Without me, they'd still be struggling with their technological issues." She pinched my chin, her sharp nails digging deep into my skin. Sighing, she feigned pity. "You know, you have such a pretty face, but is that all you've got? What if I accidentally scald your face? I wonder whether it'll make you look even more pitiful?" I glanced past her, hoping to catch the gazes of the women behind her. They all avoided me, preferring to remain bystanders instead. Then, Melissa's team began to flatter her. "Ms. Angeles is talented, while Mr. Winters is young and promising. They are perfect for each other!""Unlike those who'd go to any lengths to sabotage others. Be careful of being at the receiving end of divine punishment." For years, we had dedicated ourselves to charitable works and donating to orphanages. 'The baby might have been our reward for what we've done over the years. It's the blessing both Grady and I have waited for so long, growing inside me,' I thought, choosing to stay silent to protect the child. Melissa, fixated on my face, was thankfully oblivious to my subtle movements. Bracing against the pain, I discreetly pressed the emergency dial button on my phone. "She’s using her phone, Ms. Angeles!" came a woman’s voice, shattering my forced calm. I tried to quickly press the button, but Melissa snatched the phone from my hand. Thankfully, it automatically locked when the screen dimmed, yet my heart raced with anxiety. Her gaze darkened as she looked at the screen. My lock screen photo was a goofy wedding picture of me and Grady—he wore cat ears and gave a warm smile as I squeezed his cheeks. It was a different side to him than his usual cold, composed demeanor in the office.
Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Secret Defiance
She held up the phone, waving the lock screen in front of me and sneering. "Challenging me with this attempt, huh? Did you think I'd believe it's Grady?""Give the phone back," I demanded, reaching out to reclaim my phone. The women gathered around her to openly mock the display image. "It's edited. There's no way Mr. Winters would allow her to do such a thing. It's hilarious!""She must be delusional. Even in a dream, that's a stretch!" Although Melissa had a faint smile, there was something sinister in her gaze. "Grady and I grew up together. We have so many photos, which is why your fake one's disgusting me." She threw my phone to the ground, causing cracks to spiderweb across the screen. In one quick motion, I reached out to protect it, knowing I'd be safe as long as I could call someone. Melissa's heel came into view as it pressed my hand down over the phone—all because I could unlock the screen. Tears swam in the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let go. As they rained bruises on the back of my hand, I became numb from the pain. Seeing my stubborn grip, one of the women behind Melissa kicked my shoulder, sending me reeling, and all I could do was shield my stomach as I felt. They stomped on my phone until the screen went black, and then kicked it down the gap between the stairs. Melissa stared at me, not quite done. Her lips curved into a cruel smile, as she asked with mock innocence. "Oh, so you like fake photos. Do you need my help? I bet you have a figure to die for since you love photos. Mind if we have a peek?" She covered her mouth with a laugh, but her actions were blatantly malicious. I’d chosen a loose dress today to keep the baby comfortable, but it made things much easier for her now. She lifted her phone to record as she called another woman over, who began tugging at the hem and straps of my dress. I couldn’t escape the hands roaming over me. With no way to call for help, the humiliation was unbearable, and the urge to fight back overwhelmed me. Summoning my strength, I slapped her phone from Melissa's hand. Without hesitation, I sank my jaws into the arm she’d used to grab my clothes. She shrieked in pain, violently flinging me away. A streak of bright red was left on her arm. Her anger was past the point of being concealed, and she promptly ordered the stairwell door closed. 'She's a fucking maniac.' Without much thought, I forced myself to my feet and rushed toward the door. It had been locked just after it closed. Even if I pounded on it desperately, I found myself pleading, 'Please save me. Is there anyone?' There was no response because it was their lunch break. Melissa yanked me back by my hair, slamming me down onto the ground again. I knelt, gasping in pain. In the scuffle, my collar had loosened. She stared at my neck for a long moment, reached out, seized my pendant, and yanked it off—all while squeezing my throat with her other hand. My head throbbed as I coughed, raw and stinging. Barely able to catch my breath, she took my dazed state as a fresh excuse, bringing her hand across my face in a brutal slap. I couldn’t dodge in time, causing me to curl up on the floor. "Well, look at that! Who would’ve thought Grady had such a thief here?" She sneered. "No, that's my ring! Return it to me!" Even though there was blood on my lips, I lunged for the ring. It was a simple band that Grady had made for me on our first date, after which it was set with a few tiny diamonds. Since it was our first time making anything, we went with matching yet minimalist designs. I cherished it. Worried it might get worn out in daily life, I kept it safe as a necklace, tucked close to my heart, where our love stayed safe. "Oh, still want to lie your way out? There are plenty of people here who saw that ring on Mr. Winters' hand." She sneered. "That's our wedding ring! I am Grady's wife."
Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Battered
Feeling in despair, I repeated the truth—over and over again. "You're lying. Everyone knows that the ring he usually wears isn't this one," Melissa sneered, her gaze dripping with mock sympathy. "Honestly, it's like you've barely even met him to lie like this." Grady cherished this ring, only wearing it on special occasions. Most of the time, he wore the simple ring I gave him when we first got together. Yet, I could see the picture now—Melissa would only believe what she wanted to believe, and explaining was just a waste of time. "Just give it back, please? I'll give you whatever you want… or perhaps, we can trade? I'll give you something in exchange." I tugged at her sleeve, my voice filled with desperation. She laughed suddenly, her eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Are you really obsessed with this? You behave as if you'd steal his clothes to have a whiff of his bodily scent. Are you that thirsty for a man?" She covered her mouth with a giggle, pretending to consider my offer. Then, she continued, looking at me with a sickly, sweet expression, as if the perfect solution was within view. "He might blow his top if I give it back to you. Why don't I carve your face with his name using this? Wouldn't that make you happy?" Melissa slipped the ring onto her finger, admiring how perfect it was under the light. "You'll now have his ring on you. Call it body art if you must. I studied a bit of design abroad, so be thankful." She grinned, motioning to her friends, who pinned me down. The cold metal of the ring pressed against my swollen cheek, and I began to shiver. My eyes met hers, her gaze brimming with deranged satisfaction. She pressed down with all her strength, and soon, warm, sticky blood trickled down my cheek. Blood dripped onto the floor, but I didn’t dare look down. Summoning whatever strength I had left, I fought back desperately, grappling against them. Then, suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind the locked door. "What’s going on in there?" It was Grady's secretary—a male staff, Whitley Mars, that he had hired to ease my mind about him being in close proximity to someone. I’d met him many times when I visited, so he would definitely recognize me. Hearing no response from inside, Whitley banged on the door harder, his voice growing impatient. "I heard noises coming from in there earlier. Is anyone in there?" Melissa had to pause, shooting me a vicious look. She gestured to her friends to release me. As a result, I exhaled shakily, collapsing onto the ground, my limbs drained of strength. "Oh, Whitley, we’re just having a team meeting to discuss our new quarterly plans. Are you really going to make a fuss over that?" Her smooth response made me grit my teeth in frustration. Whitley was now my only lifeline. "Help!" I managed to shout, but one of the women quickly covered my mouth, smearing the blood from my cheek over my lips and nose, filling each breath with the sickly taste of iron. Only a faint, broken sound escaped. "What kind of meeting needs to happen in a stairwell?" He was suspicious. "Well, you all are using the meeting rooms for your lunch breaks, so we had to settle here," Melissa replied with a casual shrug. Watching him almost buying her story, I mustered every ounce of my strength, tugging at the hand over my mouth. Finally, I managed to scream, "Whitley Mars!" At the sound of his name, he pulled out his keys and quickly unlocked the door. His eyes widened in shock when he saw me sprawled on the floor, battered and bloodied.
