My Wealthy Husband Beat Me Every Night While I Was Pregnant… Until My Father Returned from War
Chapter 1: The Last Straw
The crack of the leather belt echoed through the luxury penthouse.
Aria barely had time to raise her arms before another strike landed across her back. Pain shot through her body, and she collapsed onto the cold marble floor, instinctively wrapping both arms around her seven-month pregnant belly.
"Nathan... please..." she gasped, struggling to breathe. "The baby..."
Nathan stood over her, chest rising and falling with anger. His expensive dress shirt hung open, and his face was twisted with rage.
"You embarrassed me tonight," he snarled. "Do you know what my business partners must think now?"
"I only asked if you were coming home..."
"You questioned me in front of everyone."
He raised the belt again.
Across the room, his mother, Vivian, sat comfortably on the white leather sofa with a glass of red wine in her hand.
"She's always been too emotional," she said without looking up. "Maybe now she'll finally learn how to behave."
Aria closed her eyes as another blow landed.
She had endured two years of marriage like this.
The insults.
The control.
The isolation.
Every apology she made only gave Nathan another excuse to hurt her.
Tonight felt different.
For the first time, she truly believed she might not survive.
Hidden beneath a nearby chair, an old cellphone continued recording everything.
With shaking fingers, she reached toward it.
Her voice was barely audible.
"Dad..."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"If you ever hear this... please come."
"I don't think we're going to make it."
Three days later...
The sound of exploding hinges shook the entire penthouse.
The front door flew inward.
Every conversation stopped.
Standing in the doorway was a man in military combat uniform, carrying years of war across his shoulders.
Colonel Damien Cross.
His face was weathered.
A scar crossed one side of his jaw.
His eyes searched the apartment once—
then froze.
Blood stains.
Broken furniture.
A torn pregnancy blanket lying on the floor.
He didn't speak immediately.
When he finally did, his voice was terrifyingly calm.
"Where is my daughter?"
Nathan stepped forward, forcing confidence he no longer felt.
"This is a private family matter."
Damien looked at him for exactly one second.
Then punched him so hard he crashed through the glass coffee table.
The room erupted into screams.
Damien didn't even look back.
He walked straight toward the bedroom.
Inside...
Aria was curled against the wall, covered in bruises.
She looked up slowly.
For a moment she didn't recognize him.
Then tears filled her eyes.
"Dad...?"
Damien dropped to his knees beside her.
His hands trembled as he gently brushed her hair away from her face.
"I'm here."
"You don't have to be afraid anymore."
For the first time in years...
Aria allowed herself to cry.
As Damien carefully lifted her into his arms, Vivian stood near the doorway with an unsettling smile.
"You may have come home," she said softly.
"But you're too late."
She pulled a folder from the table.
"We already have a court petition."
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"When that baby is born..."
"It won't belong to your daughter."
