I wanted to explain that I was just here to rest—that I was in pain and exhausted—but facing her, the words caught in my throat. I could not bring myself to sound weak.

She waved a hand at me and added, "You look miserable. These beds were pushed together for me because Darien thought I’d be more comfortable like this. But go ahead, you can lie down too, just for a bit."

I did not respond. I was too tired to care about pride. I just walked toward the bed quietly.

But just as I reached it, Vienna gasped and collapsed sideways, letting out a dramatic cry, as if I had shoved her.

At that moment, Darien burst in with a kettle in hand and I immediately understood what this woman was trying to do.

The kettle hit the floor with a loud clatter as he rushed toward Vienna, looking panicked.

"Vienna, are you all right? Did you hurt somewhere?"

"I’m fine. Don’t blame Elodie. I must’ve just lost my balance…" she murmured tearfully. Even I almost believed her.

"What do you mean you lost your balance? You're too kind. You get hurt like this and still make excuses for her. That’s why people think they can walk all over you."

He gently helped her onto the bed, then turned to me with fire in his eyes. The next moment, a sharp sting exploded across my cheek.

"You knew Vienna was pregnant and you still dared to push her? Are you trying to kill her child—and yours too?"

I collapsed to the floor, dazed and humiliated. But none of that mattered—not compared to the searing pain in my belly. It felt like something inside me was being torn apart.

"Elodie," Vienna called out from the bed, "why are you still on the floor? Are you that mad at me?"

"Please don't be angry. I'll feel very guilty if you are."

"I'm so sorry, Elodie. I’ll even kneel to apologize right now if that would make you feel better."

As she spoke, Vienna slowly rose from the bed, crouching dramatically as if to kneel in front of me.

Vienna had barely begun to kneel when Darien yanked her up and started smoothing out the wrinkles on her dress.

"Vienna, you’re being too soft. You’re the one who should be angry. Elodie is the one who wronged you—she should be the one kneeling and begging for forgiveness!"

Then he turned to me, still lying on the cold floor, his eyes filled with disdain.

"Elodie, how many times are you going to hurt Vienna today? When will you finally stop causing trouble for her?"