"Heh."

A laugh escaped her lips, but her eyes were murderous, like she was about to tear me apart.

"I can't believe it. I've been so careful to keep the vultures in this office away, but I never thought I'd have to worry about some little tramp climbing into his bed at home."

"You dare to carry Mr. Sterling's child? Let's see if you have the luck to actually give birth to it."

She grabbed my hair again, but this time she didn't slap me. She slammed my head against the wall.

"Die!"

"Any bitch who tries to take Grant from me deserves to die."

When Jessica was finally tired, she dropped me to the floor.

I couldn't even catch my breath before a violent cramp seized my abdomen.

I curled up instinctively, but it did nothing to stop the pain.

My ears started ringing, my vision blurred, and warm blood trickled from my face, over my chin, and dripped onto the floor.

With the last of my strength, just before I passed out, I screamed.

"I'm Grant Sterling's wife!"

The air went silent for a second.

SLAP!

It wasn't salvation that met me, but another one of Jessica's vicious slaps.

"If you're his wife, then who am I?"

"I've been with him for five years, and I've known him for ten. I've never heard a single word about him being married."

"You lying bitch, you're still trying to trick me?"

I spat out a mouthful of blood, struggling to form the words. "We're childhood sweethearts… I really am his wife."

Hearing Grant's name seemed to worry the other assistants, and they tried to stop Jessica.

But she just waved them off dismissively.

"Relax. No one knows him better than I do."

She scanned me from head to toe with disgust.

My torn dress lay in a heap like a rag.

I wasn't wearing any jewelry, not even a designer handbag.

The lunch I'd brought was in a generic, cheap-looking tote bag.

Jessica scoffed. "Besides, look at this pathetic, broke woman. Not a single brand name on her. How could she possibly be Mrs. Sterling?"

I finally managed to gasp for air, only to feel a warm gush between my legs.

A terrible feeling bloomed in my chest.

"Blood! She's bleeding!"

One of the assistants backed away in a panic.

My heart hammered against my ribs; I was frantic.

I weakly lifted a hand, trying to grab onto something, but all I could feel was more blood pouring out from between my legs.

Jessica glanced down, then snapped at the other woman. "What are you screaming for? It's just a little blood. What's there to be afraid of?"

"Besides, she's a mistress. That's a bastard she's carrying."

"And a bastard getting aborted is just justice."

The crowd went silent. No one dared to speak up for me again.

I clutched my stomach, my voice a weak plea. "Please… call an ambulance. Please."

"My baby… my baby…"

But no one moved to help me. They just watched, their faces a mixture of coldness and a secret, ugly thrill, as they waited for me to miscarry.

Jessica just stood there and watched me for what felt like ten minutes, until I thought I would bleed to death.

Only then did she pick up her phone and dial a number.

I thought she was finally calling for help, but instead, I heard Grant's voice on the line.

"What is it?"

His voice was clipped, impossible to read.

"Mr. Sterling, another woman chased you all the way to the office today, trying to bring you lunch."

Jessica's voice, talking to Grant, was a complete reversal of her earlier rage. It was soft, sweet, and practically dripping honey.

Grant sounded annoyed. "I have to deal with every little thing? What do I pay you for?"

"You handle it."

He hung up without another word.

Jessica raised an eyebrow, shooting a triumphant look at the others. "You heard him. He wants me to handle it."

I opened my mouth to scream for help, but I was too weak to make a sound.

Jessica clicked toward me in her high heels.

The stiletto pressed into my cheek, grinding down. "With this much blood, any picture I post would get flagged for graphic content."

"Consider yourself lucky. You dodged a bullet."

"But now, it's your face's turn."

"Without this pretty face, let's see how you plan on seducing Mr. Sterling."