Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Paul was her first benefactor. Alison had never imagined she would carry his child. Yet now, here she was, lying on the cold, sterile operating table. For the first time in her life, she felt completely awake.

She had chosen the most expensive procedure, one that promised to be quick, painless, and over in just a few minutes. Throughout it all, her expression remained numb as she stared blankly at the ceiling above.

Did it hurt? Yes, but the pain wasn't physical-it pierced her heart. She closed her eyes in despair as tears silently streamed down her face.

"I'm sorry, baby. If there's a next life, please find a good family. Even if they're not wealthy, at least they won't have a mother like me-a mistress."

The anesthesia dulled her body, and she allowed the nurses to move her to a recovery room. A pain pump was hooked up to her, but she felt utterly drained. All she wanted

was to sleep.

Yet, her mind was wide awake. Memories from the past flashed before her eyes in rapid succession, making her head pound.

Nearby, voices rose in an argument.

A mother-in-law was berating her daughter-in-law for using a pain pump, which required an additional fee. The hospital wasn't cheap.

"Everyone else uses it! I've been part of your family for so many years-how can you treat me like this?" The woman sounded angry, though her voice was weak after the surgery.

"What's the use of that? Back in my day, we gave birth without any of this nonsense! You girls are so delicate now. That pain pump costs hundreds of dollars an hour-do you know how little my son makes? And you're nothing but a wasteful woman who couldn't even carry a boy..."

The argument continued, and Alison's headache worsened.

Clearly, the daughter-in-law had been forced into this situation. The mother-in-law must have found out the baby was a girl and demanded an abortion.

This was life-the sorrow of ordinary people.

Alison thought of Eric. She and he were from completely different worlds, something she had known for a long time.

After resting in the hospital for a few hours, the noise around her had eventually faded. Alison got out of bed, struggled to put on her shoes, and left.

recuperate. Once she had recovered, she packed

place. Her family had disowned her, and she

ticket to the south. She had lived in the north her entire life and had never seen the south. She wanted to see different landscapes, to

Paul. The phone rang for a long time before he finally answered. Perhaps he didn't

voice was indifferent, giving

letting you go," she

first. "Letting me go from

her again. Mr. Montgomery, our meeting

Alison hung

her back to get a

the number you have dialed is no longer in

Alison had already discarded the SIM card. It arced through

before

past-a heap of garbage-it was something that

train began to move. Familiar sights flashed past the

for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for

out of the restr om, she had bumped into meone. "I'm so sorry!" she had

Paul. His gaze swept over her face

here for an interview. But I'm

when she noticed his face-he was the company's deputy director. She had seen his photo on the

want to get in?" Paul's hand

course," she

whispered, "I can help you, but you'll have

would happen to her. Panic rose

She hadn't even entered the workforce yet, and already she was

parents' hopeful faces as they said goodbye to her. "Alison, believe in

leaned in and whispered,

said as

and soon after, she

for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is