Redemption of a Pawn

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On New Year's Day, clutching the jade pendant Hugo Quinn gave me, my steps felt sweet and light.

As I turned the corner of the alley, someone suddenly covered my mouth and dragged me into the shadows.

A rough burlap sack was thrown over me, and the world instantly slipped into a suffocating black silence.

Before I lost consciousness, all I could hear was heavy breathing and fabric tearing, the jade pendant breaking in two as I struggled.

When I woke up again, I was in my own bed, my mother with red-rimmed eyes gently wiping my face, carefully avoiding the terrible bruises on my body.

"Stella, don't be afraid. Mom's here." Her hands were trembling, but she forced her voice to stay steady.

I parted my lips, but it felt like my throat was stuffed with burning sandI couldn't get a single word out.

When Hugo Quinn appeared in the doorway, a flicker of light suddenly ignited in my eyes, only to be quickly snuffed out under his cold gaze.

"Stella Scott," he said, holding that broken shard of jade, his tone completely devoid of warmth, "our engagement is off."

"Why?" I finally squeezed out a hoarse voice that hardly sounded like my own.

"You're not worthy of the Quinn Family." He turned and walked away, the hem of his white shirt brushing the doorstep like a sharp, final slash.

Rumors crashed over me like a tide; neighbors whispered behind my back, relatives avoided my gaze, trapping me in an invisible prison.

It was then that Bruce Green appeared.

He was the CEO of the Green Group, the man countless socialites in the city vied for.

He sat on my living room sofa, straight-backed, his gaze fixed on me with a complicated expression I couldn't quite decipher.

"Ms. Scott," he said, first turning to my mother with a respectful tone, "I want to marry Stella."

I jerked my head up, locking eyes with his deep, intense gaze.

"What did you say?"

"I said I want to marry you." He repeated, his fingertips drumming lightly on his knee, "I know everything about you, and I don't care."

Mom was overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down her face as she grabbed my hand and nodded repeatedly.

In that kind of despair, Bruce Green's proposal was a lifeline.

The wedding was rushed, with no crowd of guestsjust a handful of distant relatives from the Green family.

On our wedding night, Bruce Green slept in the guest room.

I sat alone in the empty master bedroom, staring at the bright red 'double happiness' character on the wall, my heart twisting with a bitter, aching sorrow.

Life after the wedding was painfully quiet. Bruce treated me with the cold politeness he reserved for strangersnever touching me, rarely spending the night at home.

Until the day I came home early, hoping to surprise him.

The study door was slightly ajar, and from inside came a gentle voice I'd never heard beforesoft and tender.

"Stacy, just wait a little longer. Soon, I'll be able to be with you openly and proudly."

Stacy Scott, my cousin, the girl who always sweetly called me 'sister.'

It felt like the blood in my veins had frozen; my hand shook uncontrollably as I pushed open the door.

When Bruce Green saw me, the warmth in his face vanished instantly, returning to his usual cold indifference.

"Why are you back?"

"What did you mean by that just now?" My voice trembled as I locked eyes with him.

He didn't deny it. Instead, he walked over to the window, turning his back on me.

"I'm marrying you to put Stacy's mind at ease."

"So, I'm just a substitute?" Those words stabbed into my heart, still fragile from the wounds I was just beginning to heal.

"Yes." His answer was sharp and unequivocal, without a single trace of hesitation.

That night, I sat in the guest room all night; the moonlight outside was cold as frost, falling onto my empty palm.

Since learning the truth, Bruce Green and I have been locked in a silent war.

He still rarely comes home, and when we do run into each other, it's only in silence.

I started looking for a job, desperate to shake off this so-called title of 'the Green Family's young mistress' as soon as possible.

After that day's interview, I stopped by the Green Family's Residence on my way home, hoping to grab some of my things.

Just as I reached the living room door, I heard Bruce Green and his friend Alex Shaw's voices coming from inside.

"Bruce, that move of yours was ruthless. You wrecked Stella so badly, all for Stacy." There was a trace of disapproval in Alex Shaw's voice.

My steps stopped dead; it felt like the blood in my veins had frozen solid.

"If we hadn't done that, why would Hugo Quinn have called off the engagement?" Bruce's voice was steady, utterly devoid of guilt. "Stacy likes me so muchI can't let her suffer."

"But the incident on New Year's Daythat was your doing, wasn't it?" Alex pressed, "Those people... you hired them, didn't you?"

The air fell silent for a few seconds, then Bruce Green's voice came through: "Yes."

Only like this would Hugo Quinn utterly despise her, and then I could rightfully marry her, so Stacy could finally be at ease.

With a deafening bang, my mind went completely blank.

So it wasn't an accident, not bad luckit was him, my so-called fiance, who shoved me straight into hell.

Those heart-wrenching pains, those savage rumors, those nights of despair that made me want to diethey were all part of his carefully orchestrated plot.

I leaned against the cold wall, my stomach churning so violently I was on the verge of throwing up.

"Aren't you afraid that Stella Scott will find out?" Alex Shaw's voice carried a note of concern.

"So what if she knows?" Bruce Green chuckled lightly, his tone full of contempt. "She's part of the Green Family now does she think she can turn the world upside down?"

I couldn't listen any longer and suddenly threw the door open.

The two people in the living room froze. A flicker of panic flashed across Bruce Green's face before he quickly masked it with calm.

"Stella? What are you doing back?" He stood up, reaching out to come closer to me.

I stepped back, dodging his touch, my voice shaking uncontrollably: "It was you, wasn't it? The whole thing on New Year's Dayyou set it up."

Alex Shaw awkwardly stood up. "I've got something to take care of, I'm leaving now."

He hurried off, leaving Bruce Green and me to face off.

Bruce Green was silent for a moment, then didn't deny it. "Yes."

"Why?" I stared at him, tears finally spilling down. "What did I ever do to you? Why are you treating me like this?"

"It's for Stacy." His reply was the same words, like a dull knife twisting repeatedly in my chest: "She can't live without me, and you're just a pawn in my game."

"A pawn?" I laughed, tears streaming down my face, "Bruce, you're so cruel."

I turned and walked away, not once looking back.

Bruce's voice came from behind me, with a faint trace of panic: "Stella Scott, don't make a scene."

Make a scene?

How could I possibly make a scene?

I just felt like my whole lifeover twenty yearswas one huge, cruel joke.

Back in my rented room, I locked myself in and refused to eat or drink.

When my mother called, I couldn't stop myself from crying at the sound of her voice, but I didn't dare say a word.

I was terrified that if she found out the truth, she'd be even more shattered than I was.

Bruce Green showed up a few times, but I shut him out every single time.

He sent me a message, saying that if I kept going like this, he'd spill the truth to my mother.

I stared at that message, feeling a cold shiver wash over me.

That manwhen it comes to Stacy Scotthe'd really do anything.

For my mother's sake, I had no choice but to give in for now and went back to the Green Family.

But Bruce and I had become complete strangers.

As for Stacy, she came by often, always putting on a show of concern, asking how I was holding up.

"Sis, you haven't been looking too good lately. Haven't been getting enough rest, have you?" She walked in carrying a bowl of soup, her smile sweet and warm.

I looked at her fake face, a wave of nausea rising in my stomach.

"Don't pretend to be kind."

Her smile stiffened, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"Sis, I know you're still mad at me, but Bruce and I truly love each other. Just let us be."

"Let you be?" I sneered, "You think I'd just accept a love won by such dirty tricks?"

Just then, Bruce came back.

Stacy looked utterly wronged, took a sharp step back, deliberately bumped into the table corner, and spilled the soup all over herself.

"Ah!" she cried out in pain, tears falling down her cheeks, "Bruce, I didn't mean to, I just wanted to bring my sister some soup."

Bruce walked over quickly, pulling Stacy protectively behind him, glaring at me fiercely: "Stella Scott, you've gone too far!"

"Gone too far?" I could hardly believe my ears. "She bumped into me, look properly!"

"All I see is you bullying her!" Bruce's gaze was icy cold. "Stacy is so kindhearted; how could she possibly lie?"

Stacy Scott leaned against Bruce Green's chest, slipping me a sly, victorious smile.

That smile was like a needle, piercing right through the last bit of my patience.

"Bruce, you're blind and heartless!" I pointed at his nose, trembling with anger. "One day, you're going to regret this!"

"I won't regret a thing." Holding Stacy close, he turned and walked away. "You'd better keep in line and stop upsetting her."

That night, a high fever took hold of me, and I drifted in and out as they rushed me to the hospital.

The ICU was quiet. I stared at the ceiling and suddenly everything made sense.

I can't keep going like thisI refuse to be their pawn any longer.

My mother came to the hospital to see me, and when she saw my pale face, tears of heartache streamed down her cheeks.

"Stella, maybe you should just get a divorce. Mom can support you."

"Mom," I squeezed her hand, my eyes steady, "I will get a divorcebut they're going to pay for what they've done."

Bruce Green came to see me once, bringing porridge that Stacy Scott had made.

"Have a little." He set the porridge on the bedside table, his voice awkward.

"Take it away." I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at him anymore. "Bruce Green, let's get a divorce."

His body went rigid for a moment.

"I don't agree."

"Your disagreement doesn't matter." I opened my eyes and stared at him. "I know everything you've done.

If you don't want your name dragged through the mud, you'd better sign."

His face drained of color instantly.

"You... what do you want?"

"It's simple. A divorce, plus compensation for my losses." I said calmly, though inside, a storm was raging, "Or I'll expose everything you've done to the world."

He stayed silent for a long while before finally nodding.

"Okay, I'll do it."

Watching his retreating figure, I knew this nightmare was finally drawing to a close.

After I got home from the hospital, I began packing my things.

Bruce Green seldom came home; it was just me and a handful of servants left behind.

That morning, a wave of nausea hit me, and my whole body felt drained.

The servants, worried sick, insisted on dragging me to the hospital.

"Ms. Scott, congratulationsyou're pregnant. You're already six weeks along." The doctor smiled as he shared the news with me.

I froze, nearly dropping the test report from my hand.

Pregnant?

Bruce Green's child?

A rush of emotions hit mesurprise, confusion, and a faint, almost hidden spark of hope.

I stepped out of the hospital clutching the report, sunlight pouring over me, yet I felt no warmth at all.

Then, a black car pulled up right in front of me.

Stacy got out, a smug smile on her face.

"Sister, I heard you're pregnant?" She came up to me, her eyes dripping with malice. "What a shamethis child shouldn't be born into this world."

"What do you want?" I watched her warily and took a step back.

"Nothing, really. I just wanted to tell you that Bruce won't accept this child." She suddenly stepped forward and shoved me hard. "He loves me. Only I can give him a child!"

I lost my footing and fell hard to the ground, a sharp pain cutting through my abdomen.

"Ah!" I screamed in agony as blood instantly soaked the hem of my skirt.

Stacy Scott turned deathly pale at the sight and ran off.

A passerby found me and rushed me to the hospital.

Outside the operating room, I lay on the hospital bed, my mind foggy.

The pain in my abdomen kept getting worse; I could feel that tiny life slipping away from me.

"Ms. Scott, I'm sorry. We did everything we could, but we couldn't save the baby." The doctor's words hit me like a bucket of cold water, snuffing out all my hopes.

I closed my eyes, tears silently streaming down my face.

My baby was just gone like that.

Bruce Green arrived at the hospital just as I was coming out of surgery.

He stared at my pale face and the blood-stained sheets by the bed, shock and panic written all over his eyes.

"The baby... is gone?" His voice wavered as he gripped my hand.

I yanked my hand away sharply and looked at him coldly. "Yes, it's gone.

Taken from me by your beloved, Stacy Scott, with her own hands."

His face instantly went pale. "I'm going to find her!"

"No need." I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at him any longer. "Bruce Green, it's over between us. Completely."

He stood frozen, his body trembling slightly.

"Stella, I..."

"Don't say anything." I cut him off firmly, "I'll have the lawyer send you the divorce agreement as soon as possible."

"You'd better sign it quickly. Don't give me more reasons to hate you."

He stayed silent for a long while before finally nodding.

"Fine."

For the next few days, Bruce Green came to the hospital every day to care for me.

He helped me wash up and fed me, his eyes heavy with guilt and unease.

"Stella, I'm sorry." He sat on the edge of the bed, speaking softly, "I know I was wrong. Please, give me one more chance, okay?"

I looked at him and suddenly laughed through my tears, "Chance? Bruce, my child is gone. How can you expect me to give you a chance? What you and Stacy owe me can never be paid back in this lifetime!"

He lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.

"I know I'm a j*rk. I shouldn't have treated you like that.

But Stella, I think I... actually like you."

"You like me?" I felt deeply bitter. "Bruce Green, your 'like' is worthlessI don't want it.

When you pushed me into hell for Stacy Scott, why didn't you ever think about liking me? When Stacy Scott shoved me away, why didn't you think about liking me?"

He was silent, clenching his fists tightly.

The day I was discharged, the lawyer handed me the divorce agreement.

Bruce Green had already signed, and he even enclosed a check.

"This is my compensation to you." He looked at me, his eyes heavy with regret. "Stella, if you ever run into trouble, don't hesitate to reach out to me."

I picked up the divorce agreement without giving the check a second glance.

"No thanks, Mr. Green.

From now on, we're strangers to each other."

I signed my name and handed him one copy.

"Goodbye, Bruce."

The moment I turned my back on the Green Family's house, I took a deep breath.

The sunlight warmed my facebright and reassuring.

Even though I lost the baby and endured so much pain, I knew a new life was about to begin.