Chapter 1 Wedding, Miscarriage

Jessie Summers found herself in disbelief as her apparently flawless life began to unravel right on her wedding day. Clad in her bridal gown, her expectant belly protruding, she stood with anxious anticipation before the statue in the grand hall, her gaze fixed on the entrance. Despite the bride and the priest being poised for the ceremony, there was a conspicuous absence: the groom, Chase Thompson. Renowned for his punctuality and intolerance for tardiness, Chase’s delay of nearly an hour was unprecedented. “Mrs. Thompson, please, take a seat,” the nanny kindly suggested, offering a chair. “Standing for too long isn’t advisable for the baby you’re carrying.” With the nanny’s assistance, Jessie settled into the seat. As she reflected on her nine months of pregnancy and the imminent arrival of her child, a radiant smile graced her face. “Little one, you’ll soon meet Mommy and Daddy. Just be patient and take your time, okay?” With a gentle touch to her belly, Jessie softly murmured, her eyes betraying a hint of concern. While it appeared she was addressing the child, in reality, she was comforting herself, attempting to quell her worries. Jessie and Chase had shared a strong bond since the beginning of their relationship, culminating in her pregnancy with his child. However, their once-solid foundation was shaken by unforeseen events. Following her pregnancy, her father, Peter Summers, was involved in a car accident, leading to her family’s financial downfall. Jessie could not help but notice a shift in Chase’s demeanour towards her; his affection waned, replaced by a palpable distance. Despite her efforts to dismiss it, Jessie could not shake the feeling that there was a hint of fear and disdain in Chase’s gaze whenever he looked at her. Perhaps her pregnancy had heightened her sensitivity. Jessie found herself needing to reassure herself like this often. She believed that after the wedding and the baby’s arrival, everything would go back to normal. After all, she could only depend on Chase. As she thought about this, Jessie clutched the hem of her dress. Chase, the richest man in River City, was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, the youngest billionaire, and the epitome of charm for countless women. However, those were just the images he presented to the public. Jessie was keenly aware of his darker side: the underworld kingpin, the ruthless tyrant, the merciless killer! He operated a mafia empire in secret and his hands were tainted by numerous crimes. Such a person was bound to have many enemies. Yet, Jessie ignored all of this. She believed no one could love her more than Chase, and she returned his affection wholeheartedly. She knew that even if she made enemies of the whole world, Chase would be the one standing by her side in the end! As Jessie was lost in thought, she was startled by a sudden figure rushing in through the church’s main entrance. Her eyes shone with joy as she stood up and asked, “Warren, is Chase here?” Warren, who served as both Chase’s driver and bodyguard, shared an inseparable bond with him. However, he seemed conflicted, struggling to find the right words. “What’s wrong? Tell me!” Jessie urged. “Mr. Thompson … ” Warren hesitated, then continued, “Mr. Thompson told me he wouldn’t be coming. He went to the airport to pick up a pregnant woman and took her home. He asked me to come back and inform you that the wedding is off … ” “What?” Jessie felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her head spinning. The wedding is off? A pregnant woman? Her mind spun, and she looked at Warren, who watched her with concern, attempting to speak. However, no words came, and she slumped, unconscious, falling backward. “Madam! Madam!” … When Jessie woke up, she found herself staring at the white ceiling, smelling disinfectant in the air. She realised she was in a hospital and looked around the empty ward. No one was there, which was different from usual whenever she was sick, Chase was always there with a look of worry. This was probably the first time she had woken up alone in such a cold, desolate room. At that moment, the door opened, and a nurse walked in, looking surprised to see Jessie awake. “You’re up.” Jessie forced a faint smile but did not speak. Approaching with a cart, the nurse murmured, “You’ve just had surgery. It typically takes longer for the anesthesia to wear off. How did you wake up so soon?” Due to her body’s unique reaction and a high tolerance for anesthesia, Jessie did not pay much heed to the nurse’s remarks. Instead, she exclaimed, “Surgery? What surgery?” Ignoring the nurse’s response, she uncovered her body. Her previously swollen abdomen was now flat, with a grim surgical scar running across it like a centipede. “Where’s my child?” Jessie asked, panic filling her expression as she searched the nurse’s face for answers. Touched by her distress, the nurse hesitated before speaking softly, “I heard you had a fall, and when you arrived, you were unconscious and bleeding. So, the doctor had to perform an emergency cesarean section, but … your child couldn’t make it.”