The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes
Chapter 156- You won’t die

Chapter 156: Chapter 156- You won’t die

When Janet finally woke up, she found her hand tightly held in someone else’s. Those warm, familiar fingers... that familiar scent... Even though she had no idea how long she’d been asleep, the moment her mind regained clarity, she was wrapped in an overwhelming sense of peace.

She was back.

Back in his arms.

"Charles...?" she called out softly, though she already knew he was there—her voice was fragile, like she was afraid the moment might vanish if she dared to speak too loudly.

"I’m here," Charles replied instantly, his voice gentle and steady. "Are you hungry? Want something to eat?"

His thoughts, which had been drifting, snapped back to her completely. His hand gripped hers a little tighter, his palm radiating warmth.

"I... I just want some water." Janet shook her head and slowly sat up with his help. Almost instinctively, her hand moved to her belly. The moment she felt it—still there, still alive—her lips curved into a faint smile.

Charles’s heart twisted at that smile. So full of tenderness, so full of love... yet it only deepened the ache in his chest. He stood up, poured a glass of water, and waited for it to cool before carefully bringing it to her lips.

"Do you want more?" he asked softly after she drained the glass. Her eyes—once so clear and bright—were now misty, unfocused. But still, they shimmered like water under moonlight.

She shook her head, gently pushing the cup away. "Charles... Are we still at the hospital?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Can we go home? I don’t want to stay here anymore..."

She couldn’t see anything—not the walls, not the light, not him. Just darkness. Endless, suffocating darkness.

She hated hospitals. Always had. And if she was destined to suffer, she’d rather do it beside him... not like this.

"Janet, listen to me." Charles’s voice was low, almost pleading. He could feel her fear—raw and unfiltered—but he couldn’t let her run from this. Not this time. Not when it was destroying her, day by day.

"No—no, I won’t listen! I don’t want to stay here! Let go of me!" Janet suddenly lashed out, as if she knew what he was going to say next. She shoved his hands away and covered her ears, her face turning pale with desperation.

She had endured so much. She couldn’t give up now. She wouldn’t.

"Listen to me!" Charles grabbed her arms, gently but firmly. When he saw the tears streaming down her face, his heart shattered into pieces. His voice cracked with grief. He had done this to her. It was his fault. Manfred was right—he was a terrible husband. He hadn’t even noticed the changes in her body. Why had he let her get pregnant at a time like that?

If only there had been no child... maybe everything would’ve been different.

"We need to terminate the pregnancy, Janet," he said, his voice breaking. "We’ll face this together. I’ll make sure you get better. I swear, I won’t let you go."

He meant every word, but even as he spoke them, a heavy guilt crushed his chest. He had dreamed of this child, imagined it as the bridge between them—a symbol of hope. But if that hope was now the chain dragging her down, then... he would destroy it. With his own hands.

And it hurt more than anything he had ever felt.

Even more than the miscarriage she’d suffered before.

"What... what are you saying? Charles, no!" Janet froze. Her entire world spun. She shook her head violently, tears running down her cheeks and slipping past her lips like bitter rain. Curling up into herself, she hugged her knees and trembled like a lost child.

The look on her face—it broke him.

"We can always have another child later... Janet, please. Trust me. Just this once."

Charles reached out, brushing away the strands of hair stuck to her tear-streaked face, his gaze tender and tortured. His heart was heavy with guilt, with love, with impossible choices.

He didn’t want to do this.

But what other choice did he have?

That child was his flesh and blood.

But Janet...

Janet was his whole world.

"Stop lying to me!" Janet’s voice cracked, her sobs falling like a torrent. "There’s no later, Charles. Even if you go through with the surgery, the chances are slim! So why—why sacrifice our baby?"

Her tears spilled endlessly as she curled into herself, her arms wrapped tightly around her trembling body. She looked so fragile, so broken—as if she might shatter at any second.

"I want her... I want our baby. Please, Charles, I’m begging you... Don’t do this to me..."

But Charles steeled his heart. He had to.

"I’ve already made my decision," he said, his voice cold with finality. "Even if there’s only a 0.01% chance of saving you, I’m not giving up. Not now. Not ever."

This child might be her everything...

But she was his everything.

Gone was the gentle man who once whispered love into her ear. The man standing before her now was resolute, merciless—even toward the woman he loved most.

"I don’t agree!" Janet screamed, eyes wide with disbelief. "You can leave—go if you don’t want the baby. But I do! I’ll take her and leave! I won’t stay by your side anymore—I hate you, Charles!"

How could he?

How could he be so cruel?

Didn’t he feel anything for their child?

She already had a heartbeat. She was alive—growing inside her—and yet he had the audacity to speak of ending her life like it was some inconvenience.

Janet struggled against his arms, trying to stand, trying to escape this nightmare. But her strength was no match for him. In his embrace, she was helpless.

And Charles just held her tighter.

Let her fight. Let her scream. If that would ease even a fraction of her pain... let them suffer together.

She couldn’t see him anymore.

But if she could...

She would have seen the tears in his eyes—just like hers—silently tearing him apart from the inside.

Because of her fragile condition, the abortion was scheduled for one week later.

For seven long days, Janet was never left alone. Nurses and doctors took turns watching over her. And every time Charles appeared... her emotions spiraled into panic.

She knew him too well.

Once he made up his mind, there was no turning back.

She feared this version of him more than anything.

She could endure his coldness.

But not this.

Not the ruthless way he wanted to take her child away.

Then came the final day.

The doctor confirmed she was fit for the procedure.

Charles didn’t wait.

He ignored her struggles, lifting her into his arms like she was made of glass. Her pale, bloodless face stared up at him with nothing but devastation and silent accusation.

"I won’t go! I don’t want to go! Please, Charles—let me go!"

Janet’s voice was raw with desperation. "Without this child, I’ll die... I will."

For days, she had been wary of everyone, guarding her baby like it was her last breath. And now, when it truly mattered... she was powerless to protect the only thing she had left.

Blind.

Defenseless.

Completely at their mercy.

"You won’t die," Charles whispered hoarsely. "I promise... we’ll have another child one day. Just trust me, Janet. Please. I’ll stay with you. Always."

But his words felt hollow. Even to himself.

He had never hated himself more than he did now—holding her as she broke apart in his arms.

The hospital gown clung loosely to her frail body, her face drained of all color.

Those tear-filled eyes, once so bright... now lifeless, resigned.

"There is no next time," Janet choked out, her voice barely above a whisper. "Charles... feel her. She’s over four months now. She has a heartbeat... she kicks me every day... In just a few months, she’ll be here..."

She took his hand and guided it to her swollen belly.

Her tears didn’t stop.

Her body trembled with the effort.

"Don’t be this cruel... please... don’t take her from me..."