Against The Rules

"What did you say? She's pregnant?" The woman with red hair frowned.

"Yes."

"Did she know who's the father?"

"I don't think so. It's the man from three months ago."

The woman's face darkened. "You said you'll do everything for me. Can you kill an unborn child?"

"You want me to kill Lia's baby?"

The woman chuckled and stared at the other person. "Do I need to repeat it? Oh okay. How about a clear instruction? Give her anything that can cause miscarriage."

There was hesitation at first but a deal had been made between the two so there was no turning back.

But five months passed, Lia was still carrying the child, making the woman furious.

"I told you to get rid of that baby!"

"I've been giving her a drug that can cause miscarriage. I swapped her vitamins with it so I'm not sure why the baby is still alive."

The woman couldn't contain her anger and threw everything her hand could reach.

"Kill that bitch! If she won't die, I will lose everything! And if that happens, I will make sure you will go down with me!"

Mia didn't know that someone was trying to kill her unborn child. She had trusted everyone in Club Montefalco and she never had the slightest idea that someone had betrayed her.

"Miss Lane, are you sure you're taking the vitamins?" The doctor asked.

She nodded without hesitation. "Yes, I'm taking it everyday. I even have it here with me."

She took the bottle of vitamins from her bag and handed it to her doctor.

The woman in white uniform was surprised. "But this is not the one I gave you. This is a drug used for abortion."

Her eyes widened, taking the bottle back from the doctor to check it. "B–But I personally bought—"

She paused, remembering that Jean bought it for her. Did she intentionally give her the wrong medicine? But she was her friend. She thought inwardly.

She wanted to confront Jean to confirm her suspicion. But when she left the clinic, she had an accident. She barely survived that day.

"Jean? She's no longer here. Someone bought her." Mama said.

"Bought? You mean she will be a wife?" She asked.

Mama laughed. "Do you think if someone bought your freedom, it's always because they wanted you as a wife?"

"What do you mean?" She frowned.

"Lia, when a man buys a scarlet, they can do anything they want to them. Whether they become their wife, mistress or just a plaything, as long as they pay the club, we don't care about it."

"So we might end up with someone worse?"

Mama nodded.

"Did someone already end up—"

She was unable to continue when Mama nodded.

"Who was it?"

"You don't need to know about her. But the man who bought her was a sadist. She was his plaything."

"Where is she now?"

"Dead. She tried to escape but luck wasn't on her side. She got caught and was beaten to death."

"And that man? What happened to him?"

"He didn't go to jail. The man is fucking rich so he got away."

Mia gulped. "How about Jean? Who bought her? Where is she now?"

Mama chuckled. "You really have a good heart. You're still worried even though she tried to kill you and your baby."

Her eyes widened. How did Mama know about the child in her belly? They didn't tell her yet.

"You knew about me being pregnant and what Jean did to me?"

Mama smirked. "I'm not stupid. I know everyone's monthly period."

"But why didn't you ask me to get rid of it?"

Mama chuckled. "Because I know how stubborn you are. If you don't want the child, you'll do it yourself. But it's been months so I kept quiet. Besides, I'm loaded because of you. I don't want to get in your way."

She nodded. "I see. And Jean? Who bought her?"

Mama clicked her tongue. She knew Lia would not stop asking about Jean.

"There's an old man from Northford who always wanted Jean. He's a businessman. He paid a million dollars for her."

"That's it? A million dollars? Isn't that too low?" Mia frowned.

"The boss agreed so I can't do anything about it. It's too sudden. I got a call from him and after an hour, that old man arrived. Jean didn't want to leave, but she had no choice. Boss already accepted the money."

"That man. What kind of person is he?"

"I think I don't need to answer that. Don't think about Jean anymore. Even if she stays, she will be sold eventually."

"Why?"

"It's the rules. You missed that, too?" Mama chuckled. "Harming another scarlet is against the rules. And what she did to you is something punishable worse than death."

Mia didn't ask further. Although Mama didn't tell her exactly about the man who bought Jean, she already had an idea what kind of person he was.

"Ady, do you want to get out of here?"

Ady was surprised by her sudden question, but she nodded.

"Yeah. But I don't want to be sold. I want to be free and travel the world."

"But getting sold is the only way to—"

"I know. But I wouldn't call it freedom if I will get chained to the man against my will."

She sighed. She badly wanted to quit working in the club, but how? At that time, she was pregnant and had nowhere to go.

"Hey, I think your sister asked Jean to kill your baby." Ady blurted.

She was confused. Why would Ruby do that? She had nothing to do with them and for years she avoided them

"I–I don't understand. Her anger towards me, it's unbelievable. I didn't do anything wrong. I had no idea I was born from an affair."

Ady patted her back. "Hey, why don't you find out yourself? I mean, they're already tried killing you and your baby. I think you should be alarmed and do something about it."

"But how? I don't know what I have to do."

"Talk to your father. Confront him. Fight your stepsister. For your mother, don't let them hurt you anymore."