Carly, her entire body wrapped in bandages, was wheeled into the ICU.

Her face had been torn apart, exposing patches of bone beneath the mangled flesh.

I slipped into a loose outfit, pulling a mask and cap over my head, then found a hidden spot where I could watch the room without Diego noticing me from his place near the door.

"The patient's condition is complex," the doctor said to him.

"Conservatively, the treatment could cost several million, not to mention the reconstructive surgery she'll need afterward."

Diego frowned, disgust twisting his features.

"Millions? She's not worth it."

As expected, he wasn't willing to save me after all.

Even though I had mentally prepared for this, hearing the cold indifference in his voice still made my heart ache.

When we first got together, he had nothing.

I was the one who helped him build his business, pushing him toward the success he now enjoyed.

It wasn't massive wealth, but he could easily afford the few million.

He just didn't want to spend it on me because his mind was already fixated on his future with Carly.

The doctor, clearly taken aback by his blunt refusal, hesitated.

"Sir, perhaps you should reconsider. Based on the tests, your wife is two months pregnant."

"What?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Diego's face.

We had been married for years without children, all because of his low sperm count.

So, it was nearly impossible for me to carry his child without any intervention.

But I hadn't expected Carly to be pregnant.

It was two months ago when I was back in my hometown, arranging my grandmother's funeral.

Diego had made excuses about work and refused to go with me, leaving me to face the accusations of my family for being an unfilial granddaughter.

It turned out he wasn't too busy after all.

He was busy making a baby with Carly.

"Maybe we should save her after all..." Diego wavered, clearly torn now that his precious child was involved.

Disgust boiled up in me, and I had to fight the urge to retch.

He wanted to save that illegitimate child?

Not on my watch.

I quickly unlocked Carly's phone and found her pregnancy report.

Sending it to Diego, I typed: "Here's a little surprise for you, love!"

Diego's face lit up when he saw the image. His excitement was palpable.

"Baby, you're pregnant?!"

"I wanted to wait until it was stable to tell you," I replied, forcing myself to type in that sickly, sweet tone Carly always used.

"You won't be mad at me, will you? After all, you're about to marry me and give our baby a perfect family."

"Don't worry!" Diego's reply came fast, full of affection he never showed me. "You're my one and only. I promise!"

He was over the moon, sending message after message of love and devotion, words I had never heard from him in all our years together.

But then his tone changed. He confirmed the details of the report and then gripped the doctor's arm tightly. "Get rid of the baby. I don't need it."

"Sir, please think this through," the doctor stammered, shocked.

"I said, get rid of it!" Diego snapped, his eyes wild.

"I have a low sperm count, and she's pregnant? She must've been messing around with another man. There's no way in hell I'm saving a woman like that!"

His words hit me like a dagger.

For years, I'd protected his fragile ego, claiming it was my own health that caused our childless marriage.

I had endured the judgment of others, all while suffering through endless treatments to try and conceive.

I thought he would see my sacrifice and appreciate it.

Instead, reality slapped me hard in the face.

After the doctor left, Diego made a move to leave, too, but then Carly stirred.

A soft, pained whimper escaped her lips, the sound barely audible but enough to make my heart race in panic.

If he recognized her voice...

Diego turned around, suspicion in his eyes, and walked back into the room.

Carly's voice grew louder, more desperate, as she tried to grab Diego's hand.

My pulse hammered in my chest.

If Diego realized that it was Carly lying there, not me, he wouldn't just save her—he'd come after me next, and I'd be done for!

"Ellie?" Diego reached for Carly's face.