Chapter 88

"Bella, are you okay?" Susan Thompson pressed her palm against the glass partition, her heart aching at the sight of Bella Quinn's bruised face.

Bella forced a weak smile, her pale fingers tracing her flat abdomen. "Susan... I'm pregnant."

Susan's pupils constricted.

"I want to keep this baby." Bella's whisper was feather-light. "Help me get bail. I'll return after the delivery."

Susan nodded immediately. She knew how dangerous prisons were—especially for pregnant women.

"I'll find a way." Susan clenched her fists. "I'll clear your name."

As Susan left the visitation room, Bruce Bowman entered with an icy aura.

Bella instinctively shrank back.

"Pregnant?" Bruce sneered, his gaze slicing across her stomach like a blade. "Seeking bail?"

Bella turned ghostly pale, shielding her abdomen. "How did you—"

"Bella Quinn." Bruce yanked her slender wrist. "Did you really think I'd let you win?"

"No!" She struggled. "This is your child!"

Disgust flickered in Bruce's eyes. "You think you're worthy of bearing my heir?"

He released her abruptly and barked toward the door, "Take her."

Black-clad men stormed in, dragging Bella away.

They shoved her into a trunk. Darkness swallowed her whole—just like her hopeless future.

In the private hospital's operating room, blinding white lights made Bella squeeze her eyes shut.

"Bruce, please—" Her voice cracked. "I really was the one who saved you during the earthquake—"

"Silence." Bruce stood impassively by the operating table.

A doctor approached with cold steel instruments.

"You'll regret this..." Bella whispered, shutting her eyes in despair.

"My only regret is not killing you sooner." Bruce turned away. "Proceed."

As agony tore through her, Bella remembered the eight-year-old boy who'd promised her a home. That same boy had now destroyed everything.

...

Susan's right eyelid twitched violently as she exited the prison.

She needed Andrew Lucas' testimony. As an eyewitness that night, his account was crucial.

Outside her apartment, she collided with a drunken Andrew.

"Susan." He seized her throat, bloodshot eyes burning. "Did you enjoy your time with Ethan Sullivan?"

Gasping for air, Susan still thought of Bella. "Andrew... help her—"

"Answer me!" Andrew tightened his grip in fury.