Jaime took a step forward and grabbed my wrist tightly before glancing at Ian.
“Why are you even wasting your breath on her? Just drag her back to the hospital. Trish has been texting me nonstop, saying she’s in excruciating pain. She can’t wait any longer."
At the mention of Trish’s suffering, Ian’s expression changed. His concern for her was immediate, almost instinctive.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “Trish's life matters, but what about mine? What about my baby’s? Don’t you care that having a C-section right now could put my life at risk?” I screamed at him.
Ian merely scoffed. “I'm the head of obstetrics. Nothing will happen under my care.”
“You’re only saying that because you refuse to save Trish, aren’t you? How could you be so selfish?”
My chest heaved with fury. “I won’t do it. I don’t care what you say—I would rather die than let you use me to save her! That treacherous bitch is better off dead!”
A sharp slap cracked across my face. Jaime had struck me so hard that a metallic taste flooded my mouth.
“You selfish bitch! How dare you insult her!”
My cheek burned, the sting radiating through my skull. I turned to Ian, hoping—praying—he’d stop this madness. But his face was void of sympathy, only filled with disdain.
“I can’t believe I ever married someone so cruel. Marrying you is the worst mistake I’ve ever done in my life.”
The words cut deeper than the slap, deeper than any wound. My breath hitched, my vision blurred with unshed tears. But I wouldn’t let them see me break.
Jaime turned to Ian, his voice sharp. “Enough of this. Tie her hands. We’ll take her to the operating room now. She’s pregnant; she won’t be able to fight us off.”
He tossed a rope to Ian, who caught it without hesitation.
“Don’t you dare—” I tried to pull away, but Ian was stronger.
With ruthless efficiency, he wrapped the rope around my wrists, tightening it until the coarse fibers bit into my skin. Blood welled up around the bindings, but he didn’t stop until I was fully restrained.
Then, they each grabbed one of my arms and began dragging me toward the elevator. My heart pounded wildly as I struggled, but it was no use.
Just as we reached the elevator, the doors slid open, revealing a familiar face.