Eliza Doolittles hand instinctively moved to her stomach, where the child she shared with Edward Cullen was growing. A smile of happiness spread across her lips and reached her eyes. Carefully, she picked up the bowl of chicken soup from the table and headed towards the study, her heart swelling with joy at the days prenatal checkup results. The doctor had said the baby was healthy and lively, and at this thought, her steps became lighter.
"The baby is very healthy," she murmured to herself, her hand pausing just as she was about to knock on the study door. The happiness on her face was palpable.
"Baby, do you hear that? Daddy loves you very much," Eliza whispered, her heart filling with warmth. But the next words she heard from inside the study turned her world upside down.
"Yes, just wait a little longer. Elizas child will be born in three months, and then our child will be saved," Edwards deep, magnetic voice echoed clearly in the quiet study.
A loud crash sounded as the ceramic bowl slipped from Elizas hands, the chicken soup spilling across the floor. Hearing the noise, Edward hung up the phone and opened the door to see Eliza standing there, her face pale as paper, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"What are you doing here?" Edwards face darkened, his voice cold, a hint of disgust flickering in his eyes. The thought of her causing the death of his beloved, resulting in a double tragedy, only intensified the hatred in his gaze, his entire body radiating a chilling aura.
"Edward, who were you talking to on the phone?" it took Eliza a long moment to find her voice, her mind still reeling from the words she had overheard.
"How much did you hear?" Edwards tone was menacing, and Eliza staggered back, her mind filled with the clear and painful words she had just heard. She couldnt believe that the man she loved, the father of her child, had another woman and child outside their marriage, and that her own baby was merely a means to save that child!
"Look at you, putting on such an act. Youve heard it all, havent you?" Edwards voice was laced with sarcasm, his eyes filled with contempt. He would never touch this wicked woman if it werent for saving Henry.
He would torment her endlessly, and at the thought of six-month-old Henry, a fleeting glimpse of tenderness crossed his eyes.
"Why?" Elizas voice was hoarse and trembling, tears streaming down her face as she stared at the man in front of her, her husband, the man she had loved for three years.
"How dare you ask me why? Isabella was so kind to you, and you heartlessly killed her, a double tragedy. Since you so desperately wanted to marry me, I did, to keep you by my side and make your life a living hell. I would never touch you if it werent for Henry. Disgusting!"
Edward roared, his thoughts of Isabella turning him into a beast out of control. He advanced on Eliza, his hands gripping her neck, his deep eyes filled with bloodshot rage.
"Cough... I didnt..." Eliza struggled to speak, her heart feeling as if it had been gouged out, bleeding profusely, the pain unbearable.
Eliza trembled, retreating, her tear-filled eyes filled with terror. Her other hand clutched her stomach protectively.
She had seen this furious side of Edward once before when he learned of Isabellas death; he had nearly strangled her to death then.
"There are witnesses and evidence. You still wont admit it?" Edward gritted his teeth, his grip tightening. At the scene, Isabella lay in a pool of blood, with a panicked Eliza beside her.
"No, no... it was Isabella who..."
"Shut up, you dont deserve to speak Isabellas name," Edward furiously interrupted Eliza, veins bulging on his forehead. In his rage, he threw her to the ground, the ceramic shards digging into her palm, blood gushing forth instantly.
"You have three months left. You better behave, or Ill make your life a living hell!" Edward ignored the glaring red, his voice cold as he finished speaking and left without looking back, leaving Eliza with a resolute back.
Eliza knelt on the ground, her eyes closed in pain, tears streaming down her cheeks. She knew he didnt love her, and she knew he had married her only for revenge.
But their child, their baby, could never become a pawn for others!