At the hospital, medical staff swarmed around Ruby, tending to her as if she were royalty.

Leah burst in, rage blazing in her eyes. Without a word, she slapped me across the face.

“You can’t even bear your own child and now you want to harm the Middleton Family’s grandson?!”

Alaric stepped in between us, “Mom, don’t”

Leah’s voice rose even higher. “You’ve spoiled her rotten! Letting a woman walk all over you, what good has it done?!”

Her shrill tone drew stares from those nearby. Someone even raised a phone and began filming.

Alaric lowered his voice and turned back to me, “Go home.”

I pressed a hand to my bleeding forehead and made my way downstairs. But just as I reached the first floor, my vision went black and I collapsed.

A passing nurse rushed to help and had me taken to the ER.

When the doctor called Alaric, the background noise was filled with the sound of servants doting on Ruby.

“Miss Ruby, have some fruit.”

“Let me massage your shoulders.”

Alaric’s voice was cold over the phone.

“Reflect on your actions while you’re at home. The doctor said Ruby nearly suffered a miscarriage.”

I was hospitalized for three days. He didn’t visit me once.

Meanwhile, Ruby’s social media was flooded with posts flaunting her new yacht, mansion and luxury car, all gifts from Alaric. The entire Middleton Family treated her like she was some precious jewel.

I sat quietly by the hospital window, staring blankly at the rustling leaves.

My phone rang, but it wasn’t him.

“Hello, Miss. Regarding the baby welcoming party you booked, we’ll be using our finest 288,000-dollar package.”

I let out a bitter laugh.

“Contact Alaric. You don’t need to notify me.”

On the day I was discharged, I took a cab home by myself.

As soon as I stepped through the door, I saw Ruby lounging lazily on the sofa while Alaric gently peeled grapes for her, one by one.

He grabbed my arm and dragged me to the side, lowering his voice.

“Ruby’s pregnancy is finally stable. Don’t stir up trouble with her again, understand?”

“From today onward, she’s living here.”

Ruby shot me a smug, challenging glance. Her face said it all: I’ve won.

Late that night, a blood-curdling scream came from her room. When Alaric rushed in, he found her writhing in pain on the floor.

“Help! It hurts! Save the baby!”

At the hospital, the diagnosis was food poisoning.

Lying on the bed, Ruby looked at me with teary, wounded eyes. Her voice trembled.