Chapter3 I held my baby close , pressing my cheek to his soft skin . Only that tiny warmth kept me from feeling completely numb . On my phone , push notifications kept exploding - every headline on X's Trending Tab screamed about Ethan Sterling chartering a private Gulfstream and flying in a top - tier OB team from abroad to protect his mistress ' s pregnancy . I didn't clutch the phone all night the way I used to , torturing myself over how much of his love was left for me . After feeding the baby , I rocked the cradle softly until my eyes drifted shut . The next morning , I was playing with my son when the door burst open with a metallic clang . Ethan's security detail kicked it in like a raid . The bottle on the table smashed to pieces on the floor . They stormed straight at me , wrenching my wrist behind my back . " What are you doing ?! " The baby's face flushed crimson as his cries turned shrill . Derek Lane sneered and grabbed the infant by the foot , dangling him like an object . " Mr. Sterling ordered us to bring you both . If they won ' t release Miss Quinn , we'll use you as the exchange - life for life . " " Let go ! You'll hurt him ! " A nurse - blonde hair under her cap - rushed in to stop them but was kicked to the floor . They shoved me into a sack and dragged me along the ground . The baby's crying filled my head , the only tether to consciousness . My body slammed into the floor repeatedly ; the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth ' . Then everything went black . Pain tore me awake . My eyes fluttered open - blinding headlights burned into my retinas . Ethan bent over me , gently wiping the blood from the corner of my mouth , but his eyes were glacial . Chapter3 33.33 % Wanna watch the rest of " Office Girl " ? Download Drama Pops and watch the re ... Download " Vivian , the Caribbean Syndicate took Sloane . They ' re demanding nine hundred million in ransom . " A shudder coursed through me . The danger was real , coiling around us like smoke . " What do you want from me ? " My voice came out hoarse , shaking . Ethan sighed and pressed a feather - light kiss to my forehead . " Sterling Conglomerate can ' t free up that much cash overnight . You know Sloane's still pregnant . She can't handle this ... " His voice softened . " Vivian , help me one more time . Please . " Coldness seeped into my bones . My lips trembled ; the words fell apart as I tried to speak . " Ethan ... you can ' t ... do this to me ... " He tilted his head ; at his signal a bodyguard hoisted my baby and eased him toward the freezing water . The crash of waves drowned out his crying . " Stop ! " My voice cracked into a scream . " I'll go ! I'll go in her place ! " A flicker of satisfaction curved Ethan's lips . The moment my baby drew breath again , I crawled to my feet , defeated , and staggered toward the pier . Sloane , just untied by the kidnappers , glanced at me with a flash of triumph and malice - so Sloane , just untied by the kidnappers , different from her usual fragile mask . As we brushed past each other , she suddenly toppled backward . A splash shattered the night . " Vivian ! " Ethan's voice rang out behind me , panicked . I turned and met his bloodshot eyes . " It wasn ' t me , " I whispered , pale and shaking my head . He clenched his jaw until it creaked , fury burning in his gaze . Chapter3 Download 33.33 % " You lost a child once - you nearly died . Can't you show mercy to her and her baby ? " His accusation sliced into my old wounds like a blade . The tears I'd been holding back broke loose at last , falling like rain . Then chaos . The exchange went wrong . Gunfire thundered in my ears . A searing pain exploded in my abdomen ; blood soaked the front of my clothes . I hit the ground hard . A white flash engulfed me . When my eyes opened again , a little girl stood before me - delicate as a porcelain doll . Her brows were a mirror of mine , but her features and thin lips were Ethan Sterling ' s . " Mommy , " she said softly , " I have to go . My brother's still waiting for me up in the sky . ' Looking at her sweet smile , something sharp twisted in my heart . She turned , lifting her pink dress and waving a tiny fairy wand , stumbling as she ran toward the distance . " No - don ' t go ! " Tears streamed down my face . My mouth opened but no sound came out .