Chapter 4 He switched back to a smile and shoved a new water gun into Vanessa's hands . " Baby , this one's got the longest range . Give it a try . " Vanessa tilted her chin in smug satisfaction and fired another shot straight at my stomach . The icy blast stabbed into me like a blade . I nearly blacked out from the pain , but over the roar of the waves I heard Ethan clapping on shore . " Nice shot ! Vanessa , you're amazing ! " Warm blood kept surging down my legs , staining the water around me red . I stared in despair at the man who had once sworn to protect me , now standing there for the sake of money , watching someone torture his wife and unborn child . Seeing this , his colleagues eagerly joined in . " Watch this ! Right in the belly ! " " I hit her too ! Sorry , Sophia ! " The beach erupted in cheers and laughter , the shouts of " Got her ! " and " Hit again ! " stabbing into me one after another . Vanessa , clearly enjoying herself , swapped her gun for the biggest model she had and fired repeatedly at my stomach . I weakly lifted a trembling hand , my voice breaking with desperation . " Please ... stop . My baby ... " Tears mingled with seawater as they slid down my face . " Ethan , please , save our daughter . I can't hold on much longer . " Vanessa's lips curled into a cold smile . She turned to Ethan and said lightly , " Don't get soft . Pregnant women are always emotional like this. " Stretching lazily , she added , " Besides , exercise is good for a natural delivery . " Chapter 4 12.87 % She handed her water gun to a colleague . " I'm tired . I'm going to rest for a bit . " Ethan immediately hurried over to her side . " I'll go back to the hotel with you . " He took her bag with practiced care , not even glancing at me . " No ! Ethan ! Don't go ! " My voice cracked into a scream , each word shaking with agony from the cramps tearing through my belly . " I'm all alone out here ... I'm scared ... please . " He waved a hand impatiently . " Play a bit longer . Exercise is good for the baby . " Wrapping an arm around Vanessa's waist , he walked off toward the hotel without looking back . " We'll come get you when we've rested . " " No ! Don't leave me ! " My cries only drew more laughter from the shore . Water guns were still aimed at my belly , the gleeful " Got her ! " calls stabbing into my heart like needles . Slowly , the laughter faded into the distance . When they'd had their fill , they wandered off in small groups , none of them remembering I was still stranded out at sea . The jet ski began to slow , probably running out of fuel . Chapter 4