Frank accompanied Mariely to her check-up that day. She was already seven months pregnant, her belly visibly big now, and it scared Frank to even touch it—he was terrified something might happen to his fiancée or the baby inside.
Sometimes, Mariely would just laugh at him whenever their baby kicked from inside her womb. She had started wearing maternity dresses now, and today they were at a private clinic. The check-up with her OB/GYN was done.
Frank silently gave thanks as the doctor confirmed that their baby boy was safe and healthy.
Knowing their first child would be a son filled him with joy.
As they stepped out of the clinic, Frank asked,
"Hon, where do we go next?"
She stroked her tummy thoughtfully.
"Eat? Then maybe look at baby stuff again?" she said with a smile.
He chuckled and slipped his arm around her shoulders.
"Okay. Did you and baby get hungry from the check-up?"
"Looks like it."
He didn't regret a thing about Mariely getting pregnant. She was turning thirty soon, and he was nearing thirty-two. Having a child together at this point in their lives made him deeply happy. They had waited long, but being together, teasing each other, supporting one another—it all felt right.
Their wedding was also close. Once she gave birth and recovered, they would finally prepare. He would never let her go. He wanted nothing more than to spend his entire life with this woman he loved.
Never once had it crossed his mind to cheat. Even when he saw beautiful women, he no longer cared—he already had someone to care for, someone who would care for him even in old age.
"Hon, where do you want to eat?" Mariely asked.
He thought for a second. "Anywhere?"
"Okay. Whatever you like. Then maybe let's walk around the mall a little? I want to check something."
"Sure, no problem."
They quickly drove off, Frank taking the wheel. When they reached their destination, they went to eat first.
"Hey, slow down with the food, hon," he teased when he noticed how hungry she was.
She motioned for him to look at her.
"Open your mouth. I'll feed you. You're not even touching your food."
He laughed softly. "My partner is so sweet. Okay, feed me."
He opened his mouth, and she fed him with a grin.
"You're so sexy," she teased.
"You're craving me again?"
"Who else would I crave?" She shot back playfully.
He shook his head as he chewed, amused.
"The food here is good. Feed me again."
She giggled and gave him another bite. Just then, Frank's phone vibrated—his cousin Clover was calling.
"Hon, can I answer this real quick? Just keep eating. We'll head to the baby section right after," he said.
"Sure, hon," she smiled.
He answered.
"Be ready," Clover said cryptically.
Frank's eyes darted around the place. He didn't reply and quickly ended the call. He was about to return to Mariely when suddenly—a hard blow struck his head.
The area wasn't crowded; he had chosen it precisely so no one would overhear his conversation. But dizziness washed over him. He shook his head to clear it, only to be punched in the stomach repeatedly. His vision spun as he caught sight of several masked men before everything went black.
****
Where's Zean? He's taking so long. Mariely frowned to herself.
Nature called. She really needed the bathroom. Glancing around, she searched for her fiancé.
I'll just text him. I need to use the restroom, she thought. She quickly stood, telling the waiter she'd pay the bill.
She walked toward the baby section nearby—it was close to the restrooms anyway. She texted Frank, but he didn't reply.
Maybe Clover kept him busy, she thought.
Inside the restroom, she lingered a while, checking her reflection.
Oh no, it's obvious I'm having a boy. I look so ugly. Stressed and exhausted. She sighed at herself in the mirror.
When she came out, she expected Frank to be waiting outside—but he wasn't there.
Her chest tightened. She rubbed her large belly as she walked around, about to call him when she stopped in a quiet, deserted corner. She checked her phone for any messages, then dialed his number.
Suddenly—a hand clamped over her mouth. A chemical scent invaded her nose. She couldn't scream. Her eyelids grew heavy.
Darkness. Silence.
She stirred awake to muffled laughter and voices. A blinding light hit her eyes. She squeezed them shut again.
"You're awake." A familiar voice.
Her head jerked up. The face she saw made her blood boil—the man who had made her life miserable for five years.
Her hands were tied tightly to a chair.
He grinned. "Nice to see you again, Mariely."
Instead of fear, anger surged through her veins.
"Oh, why the glare? Didn't you miss me?" he mocked.
"Let me go, you demon!" She spat.
"Feisty now, aren't you?" He laughed. "It's been, what, four years? Five?"
She stayed silent. She refused to show him fear.
"What do you want from me? Where am I?" she demanded.
"Relax. You really went and got yourself pregnant, huh? You wouldn't give yourself to me back then—I was sad about that. So, was it worth it with him? Did it feel good?" He laughed, his men joining in.
She clenched her jaw. Hostage. She knew it.
"What do you want from me?" she asked again, ignoring the insult.
He smirked. "Call Nadia here. I want to fuck her. Maybe I'll try it with a pregnant woman, too."
"Don't you dare touch my family! And thank God I never gave myself to you!" she snapped.
He struck her across the face. "What makes you so brave now?" he sneered. "Let's see how long you can hold that courage, Faith."
He gestured, and his men dragged in a bloodied, unconscious man.
Her heart plummeted. "Zean!" she screamed.
"What did you do to my fiancé?! What did you do to him!?"
"As you wish," the man said with a cruel smirk.
They cut her ropes. She rushed to Frank, trembling as she touched his wounds.
"Zean, wake up, please," she begged.
"He's not dead. Just unconscious. But if you don't play along, I'll end him. His life depends on you, Faith. Isn't that exciting?"
She sobbed as they dragged her away from him.
"Take off your clothes."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
"Strip. Or…" He turned to Frank, where one of his men raised a wooden beam over his head. "…he dies."
Her hands shook violently.
"Now!" He struck her again across the face.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. She removed her maternity dress, left in her undergarments.
The men around them whistled. She hugged herself tightly.
"Not bad," the monster sneered, licking his lips. "Big breasts."
"What are you doing to my fiancée?!"
Frank's weak voice broke through.
"Zean!" she cried.
Bleeding, barely standing, he still tried to fight.
"Oh good, you're awake," the man taunted. "Then watch me. Watch how I'll rape her. You'll be the first to witness it."
Despite his broken body, Frank lunged at Edward. His fist almost landed—until the deafening crack of a gunshot filled the room.
Frank collapsed against Mariely, blood pouring from him.
"Zean!" she screamed.
"Faith… don't… don't obey him. No matter what…" Frank whispered, placing his bloody jacket around her shoulders.
"It's okay…" His voice faded as his body went limp.
"No! Zean! No!" She screamed, shaking him.
Edward yanked her away like a ragdoll, dragging her by the hair.
"Chain her up!" he ordered.
"You monster! Even if I'm pregnant, I will never give myself to you! You bastard!" she cried hysterically.
He pulled her hair back, pressing a cold gun to her belly.
"Do you even care about the child inside you? Hm? Daddy's memory…"
Her tears fell harder.
"This will end with me rich. Your filthy body spread across the internet. Porn sites will love this," he laughed cruelly.
Please, Brother Nathan… save me, she prayed silently.
Her heart broke, unable to accept that Frank might be dead.
No! We're supposed to get married!
"I'll take your brother's wife next," Edward whispered in her ear.
He shoved her down onto the cold floor, stripping his clothes, his manhood exposed.
"If you don't obey, your baby dies," he threatened.
Bound and sobbing, she shook her head. Shame and rage consumed her.
He kissed her lips, forcing himself on her. "Pregnant, but tight. Are you excited?"
She wanted to die. Her soul shattered as he violated her again and again, crushing her body under his weight.
Kill me, please… Kill me now.
My baby… Will we follow your daddy?
Her tears wouldn't stop.