Chapter 738: Unable to Move a Single Step

Chapter 738: Chapter 738: Unable to Move a Single Step

She landed hard on her rear, and a sharp pain shot through her. It felt like something inside her belly had ruptured, like a water balloon suddenly bursting, and a cool liquid gushed out.

Ivy Tanner’s eyes flew wide, her face draining of all color. She stared in disbelief at the amniotic fluid, now tinged with blood, on the floor.

Then, an excruciating pain tore through her abdomen...

It was the first time in her life she had ever felt such agonizing pain. The sensation was indescribable, and her strength began to drain away.

She struggled to crawl forward, trying to reach the landline to call for help. But she could barely move. Her body felt as if it were being crushed by a giant mountain, leaving her unable to budge an inch.

Time seemed to stand still. After what felt like an eternity, she finally reached the phone stand and managed to prop herself up. When she glanced back, she saw a long, bloody trail smeared across the floor.

She couldn’t bear to look again. She snatched the receiver, frantically dialing his number. The call went straight to voicemail.

After several more tries, all ending in his voicemail, she gave up and left a message. "Ethan Kingsley, I just fell. I’m bleeding a lot, and my stomach hurts so badly. Please, can you come back?"

She hung up, clutching her abdomen as she waited. And waited. But no reply ever came.

’That’s right,’ she thought. ’He told me not to pull any stunts on a day as important as this. Even if he heard my message, he wouldn’t believe me.’

’Fine, I’ll call 911. Once I’m at the hospital, I’m sure the doctors will be able to reach him!’

Ivy then dialed 911. Thankfully, Ethan Kingsley hadn’t been so heartless as to block emergency calls from the landline.

The call connected, and she immediately pleaded, "Hello, I’m pregnant, and I just fell. I think my water broke, and I’m bleeding a lot. There’s no one else here. Can you please, please help me?"

"Okay, ma’am. Can you please give me your address?"

"My address..." The question stumped Ivy. "I... I don’t know where I am. I’ve never been outside. All I know is that there are a lot of stray dogs in the community."

"Ma’am, without an address, I can’t send anyone to you. Please, try to think. What’s the name of your residential complex? Are there any major buildings nearby?"

Ivy suddenly let out a laugh, her voice laced with apology. "I’m sorry. I was just kidding. Goodbye."

After hanging up, her laughter dissolved into sobs.

’Ethan, what the hell is this godforsaken place?’

With no other choice, she left Ethan Kingsley another voicemail. "Ethan, I’m not lying. I really did fall..."

She had barely gotten the words out when another wave of agony ripped through her, so intense it felt as if her body were being torn to shreds.

’I can’t take it anymore! It hurts too much!’

She placed the receiver back in its cradle. Her hands trembling, she wrapped her arms around her stomach, trying to will the pain away.

Just then, in a corner not far away, there was a sudden FWOOSH. A small tongue of flame licked up from a crack in the hardwood floor, making her jump.

’Was that a spark from a short circuit?’

’Oh no, it’s starting to burn!’

Ivy’s first instinct was to go and put it out, but she didn’t have the strength to crawl over.

’Wait, where is the deaf-mute woman?’

Usually, around this time, the woman would be outside hanging up the laundry, but Ivy hadn’t seen her at all today.

The flames grew larger, filling the air with thick, murky smoke. Every so often, a wave of heat would wash over her.

A surge of terror gripped Ivy, and she frantically called him again. "Ethan Kingsley, there’s a fire! But I can’t move..." she sobbed into the phone.

She hung up and broke down, crying in terror as she watched helplessly, the flames creeping ever outward.