Chapter 1 The Bloody Mess

• Chapter One
• Sofia stood at the top of the grand staircase, her heart fluttering with overwhelming joy.
• She cradled her stomach, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she gazed at her older sister, Chloe.
• “Chloe,” she whispered, voice trembling with excitement. “I’m pregnant... with triplets.”
• The words spilled from her lips like a precious secret.
• Chloe’s face twisted, her eyes narrowing into slits.
• Without warning—without a single word—she lunged forward and shoved Sofia, hard.
• The force was brutal, unexpected.
• Sofia’s feet slipped off the edge.
• The ground disappeared.
• She tumbled backward, her body crashing violently against the sharp marble steps.
• Pain exploded through her head. Her back. Her stomach.
• Thud. Thud. Thud.
• She came to a crushing halt at the bottom, her body sprawled across the cold floor.
• Blood.
• Warm, sticky blood was soaking through her pale dress, trailing from her head and seeping from between her legs.
• Her belly ached, twisting with sharp pain that made her want to scream.
• Chloe’s heels echoed on the staircase as she descended, slow and deliberate.
• Sofia blinked up at her, vision blurred by tears.
• “W-why?” she whispered, her voice breaking, weak.
• Chloe’s arms folded across her chest, her expression dark and unforgiving.
• “Because you don’t belong here, Sofia,” she spat. “Get out of this house before Aaron comes home. I’m his real wife. Not you.”
• Sofia’s lips parted, trembling with disbelief.
• Pain pulsed deep in her abdomen as she forced herself to sit up, clutching her stomach.
• “No... you’re lying. I married him. I’m his wife... Chloe, please.”
• Chloe’s face twisted with mockery, a cruel smile playing at the corner of her lips.
• “Don’t play innocent! You were nothing more than a pity case. Everyone knows you only married him because you were forced. Remember? I was supposed to marry Aaron. Me!”
• Sofia shook her head, tears blinding her as she gritted through the pain.
• “You refused him,” she whispered, voice ragged. “You said he was... a disgrace. You didn’t want to marry a blind man. You left him when he needed you.”
• Chloe’s eyes narrowed, venom dripping from every word.
• “Of course, I did! Why would I ruin my life by marrying a blind heir? But look where we are now, Sofia! Aaron had his thirteenth surgery. He can see again! He’s the CEO now—wealthy, powerful. And you? You were just his temporary nurse. His charity case. A replacement.”
• Sofia’s heart cracked at the cruelty of her words.
• Her trembling hand pressed harder against her aching belly.
• “You weren’t there when he struggled. When he felt worthless. I was. I stayed. I loved him... not his wealth.”
• Chloe’s expression soured, her lips curling.
• “Love? Don’t make me laugh. Aaron deserves better than a pitiful girl like you. Now, get out before I have security drag you out.”
• Sudden pain shot through Sofia’s stomach, sharp and unbearable.
• She gasped, doubling over.
• “Chloe... p-please... something’s wrong,” she whispered, her voice cracking as fresh blood pooled beneath her.
• A shadow appeared at the entryway.
• “Mrs. Knight?”
• Daniel.
• The family driver rushed forward, eyes widening in horror as he saw Sofia collapsed in a pool of blood.
• “Ma’am! Oh my God—what happened?”
• Sofia’s head lolled back, her face pale.
• “Daniel... please... take me to the hospital. My baby... I think I’m losing my baby.”
• Chloe scoffed from the staircase, rolling her eyes.
• “She’s faking it, Daniel. Don’t let her fool you. This is just her desperate attempt to trap Aaron with a fake pregnancy. Look at her.”
• Daniel’s face twisted with disgust as he glared at Chloe.
• “I’m not leaving her like this,” he snapped.
• He scooped Sofia gently into his arms.
• Sofia whimpered, her head resting against his shoulder, pain spreading like wildfire through her body.
• Her last sight before the door closed was Chloe standing there, arms crossed, smirking.
• The hospital was cold.
• The antiseptic smell made her stomach churn as she lay on the examination bed.
• Her dress was still soaked in blood.
• The nurse’s hands were gentle as she checked Sofia’s vitals, but the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.
• “Please... my babies,” Sofia whispered weakly. “Are they... okay?”
• The nurse offered a small, sad smile but her expression remained serious.
• “Mrs. Knight, you’re pregnant with triplets. But the fall caused significant trauma. You’re at high risk of losing all three. You need complete bed rest or the pregnancy won’t survive.”
• Triplets.
• A sob caught in Sofia’s throat.
• Three babies.
• Aaron’s babies.
• “I’ll do whatever it takes. Just... please, save them.”
• Two days later, Sofia returned to the mansion.
• Weaker. But hopeful.
• She had to tell Aaron the truth. He deserved to know.
• The moment she stepped inside, her heart stopped.
• Aaron was there.
• Holding Chloe.
• Their lips were pressed together in a deep, lingering kiss.
• The love of her life.
• The father of her unborn children.
• Kissing the woman who had nearly killed her.
• Sofia felt her heart break all over again.
• Aaron finally pulled away, gazing at Chloe with such tenderness that it crushed her even more.
• “Thank you, love... for staying with me all these years,” he whispered. “I couldn’t have made it through the surgeries without you.”
• Sofia’s hands trembled.
• “Aaron?”
• He turned.
• His eyes. Clear. No longer blind.
• But they looked at her with nothing but confusion.
• Chloe stepped closer, clutching his arm.
• “Oh, look. The gold digger is back,” she sneered.
• Aaron’s brows furrowed.
• “What is she doing here?”
• Sofia felt her chest tighten.
• She took a step forward, voice shaking.
• “Aaron... it’s me. Sofia. Your wife.”
• Aaron’s face darkened, his expression hard.
• “No... you’re not. My wife—my real wife—is standing right here. Chloe.”
• Sofia felt her breath leave her.
• “No. She abandoned you! I was the one who stayed! I held your hand after every surgery. I took care of you when no one else would! Please, Aaron... can’t you hear my voice? Remember me?”
• Chloe clung tighter to his arm, fake tears shimmering in her eyes.
• “Aaron, don’t let her confuse you. Your mind is still adjusting from the surgery... It’s common for patients to have memory distortions.”
• Sofia pressed a trembling hand to her stomach.
• “I’m pregnant, Aaron. With your children... triplets.”
• Aaron’s gaze dropped to her bloodstained dress.
• His lips curled in disgust.
• “Pregnant? Look at yourself! You’re a mess. You expect me to believe you’re carrying my children like this?”
• Chloe snickered.
• “She’s probably trying to pin some random man’s babies on you. Desperate, isn’t she?”
• Sofia sobbed, shaking her head.
• “No, Aaron! Please, I’m telling the truth—ask Daniel! He took me to the hospital after Chloe—”
• “Enough!”
• Aaron’s voice thundered.
• His face was stone.
• “Stop this madness. Get out of my house. And take your bastards with you.”