Chapter 2 What It Means To Wish You Were Dead

As I settled into the black Maybach, my body couldn't stop trembling uncontrollably.

The atmosphere inside the car was suffocatingly tense.

Liam loosened his tie and reclined, closing his eyes as if the earlier dramatic upheaval had nothing to do with him.

I curled up in the corner of the car, protecting my barely noticeable belly, hardly daring to breathe. I had tricked him.

That night in the hotel, the room was pitch black, and I was so drunk that all I only remembered was being with a man. But I wasn't sure if it was Liam.

I was gambling, simply hoping the influential patriarch of the Roberts family sought a reason to suppress Laurence's family branch, which had become increasingly dominant.

I hoped he needed a compliant puppet wife to fend off his family's pressure to urge him to get married.

Yet, I hadn't anticipated that he would accept without question.

The car drove into a wealthy neighborhood halfway up the mountain.

Once it stopped in front of a villa, Liam opened his eyes, staring at me with those deep, piercing eyes.

"Get out," he said flatly.

I fumbled to open the car door and followed him into the villa.

The living room was brightly lit, with the butler, Thomas Hall, and the house staff lined up neatly in two rows.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts."

Hearing that title made my knees weak, nearly causing me to stumble.

Liam was quick to steady me, pulling me into his arms. He whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my ear, "If you're going to act, do it convincingly. Stay strong."

I nodded stiffly, trying to straighten my back.

He instructed Thomas, "Take Eliana to the master bedroom to rest. From now on, her meals and accommodations should meet the standards for a pregnant woman."

"Understood, Mr. Roberts," Thomas replied.

I was led to the master bedroom on the second floor.

The room was absurdly large, decorated in stark, intimidating colors, much like the image of Liam in my mind.

I sat on the edge of the bed, only exhaling deeply once the butler left.

Shortly after, the door opened again.

Liam entered, holding a glass of water.

He approached me, handing me the glass, his gaze fixed on my flat belly.

"How many months?" he asked.

My heart skipped a beat, and I clutched the glass tightly. "Two... two months," I stammered.

In truth, it was only six weeks.

He said nothing, just continued to stare at me, his eyes scrutinizing me as if I were an item up for sale.

After a while, a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "Eliana, you have quite the nerve. You're the first to dare scheme against me."

A few drops of water spilled onto my hand, chilling me to the bone.

I knelt on the carpet with a thud, looking up at him with an entreating look.

"Mr. Roberts, I have no choice now... The Harper family went bankrupt. Laurence called off our engagement and ruined my reputation. I just want to survive. I promise, I'll be an obedient wife. Once the child is born, you can do whatever you want with me. As long as you save the Harper family."

Liam squatted down, lifting my chin with his long fingers, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"What makes you think I'd another man's child?" he asked.

My blood ran cold.

Did he know the truth?

Did he know I was lying?

I parted my lips but couldn't squeeze any word out.

Just as I feared he'd have me thrown out, he released his grip and stood up, pulling out a tissue to wipe his hands.

"Tomorrow, we'll do a paternity test. If I'm the father, I'll settle the Harper family's debts. If it's not..."

He paused, leaning closer, his eyes glinting with a bloodthirsty coldness.

"I'll make you understand what it means to wish you were dead," he muttered.