The Past is Hard to Recall

Chapter 8

Especially the owner of the wedding dress shop, whose dress alone had cost over $700,000. He'd been reluctant to agree to the transfer from the start, but under pressure from Cole, he reluctantly agreed. Now, seeing that Cole couldn't pay and I wasn't stepping in to help, the shop owner, facing a significant loss, decided to call the police.

Terrified of getting dragged into this mess, the relatives from both sides scattered like startled birds, disappearing without a trace.

The police arrived quickly. Even as Cole was being escorted out by officers, he was still shouting my name. Unfortunately for him, the bodyguards from the shop were holding him back, and he couldn't get anywhere near me.

As I watched the chaos finally start to wind down, I checked the time and calmly walked outside. It wasn't until just before the wedding that I learned the wealthiest Harper Family, whom I was supposed to marry into, had booked the Emperor's Hall at the Yucca Hotel for the ceremony. After all, booking the Emperor's Hall started at $700,000. This extravagant gesture was meant to show how much they valued me.

Just as I reached the entrance, I saw Cole still desperately struggling. He was shouting my name, pleading for me to save him. Winona was so panicked she didn't know what to do, asking Cole what they should do next.

In a fit of rage, Cole kicked Winona in the stomach. She screamed in disbelief and collapsed, blood flowing from her. The moment he saw me, hope flickered in his maddened eyes, and he suddenly went berserk. He twisted his shoulders, broke free from the officers' grip, and mercilessly kicked Winona's stomach twice more.

Then, with a thud, he dropped to his knees in front of me.

"Stella, you heard everything that night, didn't you? But please, let me explain. It's not what you think. She threatened me with the child, saying if I didn't stay with her, she'd kill herself. I was forced into it, please believe me. From the beginning, the only person I've ever loved is you."

"You don't want the child in her womb, but it's gone now. You don't have to worry. I won't have anything to do with her anymore. I'll stay by your side and live just for you, okay?"

As he spoke, he reached out to touch my stomach. I swiftly dodged, glaring at him coldly. A flicker of pain crossed his face as he crawled forward, grabbing my pant leg and begging me. His eyes were fixated on my stomach, and he continued, "Besides, we already have a baby. Once the child is born, we'll be the happiest little family of three. Let's just let these little incidents pass, okay?"

"You've loved me all these years. You've always loved me the most. You're just angry right now, right? I know I was wrong. If I'd known you'd be this upset, I would've never agreed to Winona's ridiculous request. I'll stay by your side, with you and the child, and love only you."

Hearing those words, the memories of my past life flooded back. He had torn the child out of my womb with his own hands, using a shovel to beat it to death right before my eyes.

The hatred that surged in my heart was overwhelming, and I couldn't hold back any longer. I kicked him fiercely.

"Cole, how dare you mention the child!"

With that, I threw the miscarriage document in his face. He looked at it, his lips trembling in shock.

"Stella, how could you be so heartless? That was our child! How could you be so cruel?"

I ignored him and turned to see Samuel Harper, who had come to pick me up. He took my hand, and together we walked toward the wedding car.

Behind us, Cole's voice grew louder and more desperate. "Stella, who is this man? Is this because of him that you're treating me like this? Don't forget, you were with me for ten years, and you even aborted our child! You've long been tainted!"