C1 Miserable Death!(part I)

“Ring, ring, ring—”

The alarm clock's sound pierced the quiet of the night, shattering the silence.

Ye Zhenzhen awoke with a start, groggily getting out of bed. At seven months pregnant, her belly was noticeably large, contrasting with her petite frame.

Lately, she'd been especially sleepy, often falling asleep before Lu Cheng returned home and waking up after he had already left for work. If he hadn't taken time off yesterday to accompany her for a check-up, she might not have noticed how much weight he had lost recently.

They had been married for less than six months, yet the responsibilities of the Ye family had already fallen entirely on Lu Cheng's shoulders. It must be particularly tough for him. He fought hard for her, and she wanted to do something for him in return. That evening, she had prepared a nourishing soup and set an alarm to remind her to turn off the stove.

It was already eleven at night, and the spot beside her in bed was still empty.

As she stepped out of the bedroom, she noticed the light coming from the study at the end of the hallway. He must have returned and continued working there to avoid disturbing her.

Ye Zhenzhen thought for a moment but decided not to go in. Instead, she planned to surprise him by bringing the soup directly to him.

Carefully maneuvering her heavy body, she slowly descended the stairs. The spiral staircase leading to the living room was covered with handmade Persian rugs. Lu Cheng had them installed to cushion any potential falls, showing his concern for her safety.

A smile crept onto her face. Lu Cheng was gentle and considerate, thinking of every detail for her. He was undoubtedly a wonderful husband.

Her baby moved inside her, seemingly protesting her activity at a time meant for rest.

Gently rubbing her belly, she softly said, “Sweetheart, settle down. Daddy's been working hard lately, and we want to surprise him.”

This child seemed to inherit the assertiveness of "that man," frequently displaying its vitality. During an ultrasound, the doctor even mentioned that the little one appeared stronger than most babies.

That nightmare of a man...

Ye Zhenzhen took a deep breath and shook her head. Those memories she wished to forget were now in the past.

Now, she had Lu Cheng!

This man, who had pursued her for five years, remained steadfast even during the three years she was missing. When she was at her lowest, it was Lu Cheng who firmly took her hand, promising to care for her and her child for a lifetime, shielding them from any more hardships.

Yes, all the suffering was behind her, and now, she was truly happy!

In the fully modern kitchen, the barely audible bubbling of the pot on the stove filled the air with the mouthwatering aroma of chicken and mushroom stew. Turning off the heat, she served the soup and carried it on a tray as she headed upstairs to the study.

The soundproofing of the Ye Mansion was excellent, and since she hadn't put on her hearing aids when she got up, it wasn't until she reached the study door that she heard the strange noises inside.

A woman's suppressed gasps mingled with a man's satisfied growls, creating an unmistakably intimate atmosphere.

Ye Zhenzhen froze, her heart pounding as she turned the doorknob. The scene inside was chaotic: undergarments carelessly draped over the pen stand, and a half-naked couple entwined passionately on the desk, oblivious to the open door.

With a crash, the tray slipped from her hands, hot soup splashing onto her feet and calves, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in her heart.

The couple immediately froze. The man turned sharply, his usually gentle demeanor still marked by the remnants of passion. Upon seeing her, his dazed expression shifted to shock.

Was this the husband, Lu Cheng, who had promised never to let her feel sadness again?

Was this the "busy with work" he had mentioned recently?

He was sneaking around with someone else in their home while she slept?!

And to think, it was on the desk her father cherished most during his life!

All those promises she believed in, the ones that gave her the confidence to escape her nightmares, now seemed like a cruel joke.

"Sis!"

The startled cry came from her sister, Tiantian, who was supposed to be staying at the house to look after her. Little did she know, Tiantian was also taking care of her husband!

The piercing pain and overwhelming humiliation nearly brought her to her knees. Something inside her shattered, leaving Zhenzhen pale as she turned to leave.

"Zhenzhen!"

"Sis!"

Lu Cheng and Tiantian called out desperately behind her.

Zhenzhen quickened her pace until Tiantian caught up and grabbed her wrist at the top of the stairs.

"Sis, don't go, let me explain!"

Zhenzhen turned back to see Tiantian wearing nothing but one of Lu Cheng's shirts, the loosely buttoned collar failing to conceal her figure and long, slender legs.

That shirt was the first gift she had given Lu Cheng, who had promised to cherish and keep it safe.

Those legs had just been wrapped around her husband's waist, clinging to him like vines to a tree, reveling in his embrace.

Zhenzhen shook her head, trying to erase the unbearable image from her mind. "No, I don't want to hear it!"

Did she really need an explanation for something she saw with her own eyes?!

"Zhenzhen, it's a misunderstanding, please don't leave!"

Lu Cheng pleaded, looking just like he did when he proposed to her six months ago.

Zhenzhen glared at them coldly, her expression full of scorn. "Why don't you put some clothes on before you talk to me about misunderstandings?"

With that, she shook off Tiantian's grip and turned to head downstairs. Tiantian grabbed her again, and in their struggle, Zhenzhen lost her balance and fell.

Blood snaked its way across the white carpet, leaving a shocking trail.