Chapter 4 My baby was fast asleep in the pod , breathing slow and steady . The sight of her brought me a sliver of calm . But it didn't last long . I needed to know what Skye was up to . I found her alone and walked in , cold and sharp . " Skye , " I said flatly . " What the hell are you trying to do ? If you so much as look at my daughter the wrong way , I swear to Moon Goddess , I will end you . " She gave a sweet little laugh , all teeth . " Aw , is that a threat ? Newsflash , Natalie - Xander only cares about my baby . Yours ? That weak little thing should've never made it out of the womb . Xander's always going to protect me . ' Before I could think , my hand flew across her face . No mother would stand there and listen to someone curse their child . " Say that again . I dare you . " E But she just grinned , rubbing her cheek like it amused her . ちょ " Natalie , let's be honest . I know you and Xander never actually broke the mate bond . He told me that lie just to keep me calm for the baby's sake . " " You've had your time with him . That ship has sailed - he's moved on . Why keep clinging to him like some sad ex ? He doesn't deserve that . " She tilted her head . " I do . I'm the one who belongs with him . I met her gaze , calm and hollow . " I don't want him anymore . You can have what's left . " She smiled like she'd won . W " But as long as his human side's still alive , I'll never really have him . That part of him still cares about you . Still hesitates . " " I need to push him . Make him snap . If I can get him to destroy his human side ... his wolf will take over for good . " I opened my mouth , about to tell her the truth - that Xander was faking everything , that he wasn't possessed at all . But then Skye shoved a knife into my hands - and before I could react , she drove it straight into her stomach . " Your baby ... " she gasped . I froze , stunned . She leaned in close , blood seeping through her dress , and whispered in my ear , " Baby means nothing to me . I love Xander - more than anything , even this baby . " And then the door slammed open . Xander . His eyes went wide . " Skye ! " He ran to her , cradling her like glass . " I've got you . Don't be scared - I'm calling the healer . You'll be okay . " Chapter 4 " Xander ... " she whimpered , reaching for his cheek . " I love you . " He carried her out like she was dying royalty , rushing her straight to the OR . Then turned on me . His boot slammed into my ribs and sent me flying into the wall . " You monster ! She was pregnant - you stabbed an innocent child ! " " No ! " I cried , gasping for breath . " She did it herself - check the security footage ! She planned this . She sent me a message - look ! " I pulled out my phone , hands shaking . Xander didn't even glance at it . " I don't need proof , " he said coldly . " I saw it with my own eyes . You're a liar , Natalie . Always have been . " " And since you still haven't learned your lesson ... " His hands gripped my arms , dragging me down the hallway . ( ( ... then you can feel what real pain is . " " No , Xander - please ! Not the baby ! " But he didn't stop . He dragged me to the nursery and walked straight to the nutrient pod . , I screamed as he reached for the power cord . " Please , no - she's a preemie , she's fragile , she won't survive without it ! She's your daughter too ! " I collapsed at his feet , sobbing , clutching his leg like it was the only thing keeping me breathing . " Take it out on me , not her . Please . She's innocent . Please don't do this . " He looked down at me like I was dirt . " Maybe now you'll understand what Skye went through . " And then he yanked the plug . The lights on the pod blinked out . I wailed until my throat burned . Half an hour later , a healer came in with a message . " Skye's awake , Alpha . She's asking for you . " Xander didn't even look at me . " Natalie , this is your final warning . Hurt Skye again , and I'll make sure you suffer a hundred times worse . " And just like that , he was gone . I was left alone . My hands trembled as I scrambled to plug the pod back in . But my baby didn't move . Three hours later , I boarded a plane to the Northern Territory . At the same time , Xander's Beta called him in a panic . " Alpha - bad news . Luna Natalie found out . She knows you faked the whole ' wolf possession ' thing . " Chapter 4 " She's gone . She's taking the baby and leaving . " Chapter 4 In "CEO, The Maid is Your Stunning Wife" by CrushReel, a gripping tale unfolds as an adopted daughter faces a life-altering decision. To save her grandmother, she enters a marriage of convenience with a wealthy but paralyzed elderly man. However, a twist of fate, coupled with her severe myopia, leads her to mistakenly identify the wrong groom on the wedding day. This modern romance novel delves into themes of sacrifice, family bonds, and unexpected love connections. As the protagonist navigates the complexities of her unconventional situation, readers are drawn into a web of secrets and revelations. The unique blend of billionaire intrigue and sweet romance sets this story apart in the genre landscape. "CEO, The Maid is Your Stunning Wife" offers a refreshing take on contract lovers and secret identities, crafting a narrative that captivates with each turn of the page. Dive into this ongoing series at CrushReel for an engaging read that promises to keep you hooked till the very end.