The Hartwell family mansion was filled with laughter as relatives gathered to celebrate Emma Hartwell's baby shower.
Elegant decorations covered every room, and dozens of guests waited downstairs for the guest of honor.
But upstairs...
Emma sat alone on the edge of her bed.
She gently held her swollen stomach while tears silently rolled down her face.
Fresh scratches covered her left forearm.
Thin lines of blood stained her sleeve.
She quickly pulled the fabric down to hide the injuries.
The bedroom door opened.
Her husband, Ethan, walked inside carrying a small gift box.
The moment he saw her frightened expression, he stopped smiling.
"Emma..."
"What happened?"
She immediately hid her arm behind her back.
"It's nothing."
"Please..."
"Just hide it from your family."
Her voice trembled.
Ethan slowly knelt beside her.
He gently reached for her arm.
Emma tried to pull away.
But he carefully lifted her sleeve.
His breathing stopped.
Two deep, bloody scratches stretched across her skin.
His hands began shaking.
"Who did this?"
Emma lowered her head.
"I don't want everyone fighting because of me."
Before Ethan could ask another question, voices echoed from the hallway.
His mother and younger sister entered the room.
The moment they saw Emma's injured arm, both women covered their mouths in horror.
Ethan slowly stood.
His face darkened with anger.
He stormed into the hallway.
Every conversation downstairs stopped as his voice echoed through the mansion.
"WHO DID THIS TO MY WIFE?"
The cheerful celebration instantly turned into terrified silence.
Someone inside that house knew the truth.