Results of Chloe's blood work obtained. Blood type AB, 14 weeks gestation. Photo of report attached. Sarah, I almost burst out laughing. Jason was type O and I was type A.

According to Mendelian genetics, his child could never be type A. This Chloe girl had tried to run a scam without knowing even the most basic facts of biology. I chewed the note until it was pulp, threw it in the toilet, and flushed. Then I started doing the math. 14 weeks gestation.

That's 3 and 1/2 months. Around that time, Jason was on a business trip in San Francisco. And according to Sarah's intel, during that period, Chloe had been sleeping with at least two other men.

At noon, Jason came to see me in person, which was unexpected. He even brought a bouquet of flowers. a purely hypocritical gesture. Valerie, are you doing better? He stayed 6 feet away from the bed as if my illness were contagious. I kept up my act.

I stared at a corner of the wall and started talking to myself. Little spider, don't run away. Mommy will make you a little dress. Jason frowned. What did the doctor say?

When are you getting discharged? Discharged? Blood? There's blood everywhere. I suddenly grabbed his arm.

You saw it, too, right? The baby's blood. He yanked his hand away. Stop pretending. I have a million things to do at the company and you're just here wasting my time.

Company, money. There's a lot of money. I smiled like an idiot. It flew away. It all flew away.

Jason's face changed. What do you mean? What money flew away? I turned back to the wall and ignored him. Jason paced nervously around the room and finally left in a huff.

I knew he would go straight to check the company's accounts, and a huge surprise was waiting for him there. Since my father had already initiated the fund recall the company's liquidity would soon dry up. In the afternoon, the nurse returned this time with more important news. Valerie, a gentleman who says he's your friend, Mr. Martin, is waiting downstairs.

He says he's here regarding an antique appraisal. My eyes gleamed slightly. Mr. Martin, my contact for selling antiques. It seemed my plan was on track.

Can I see him? I asked quietly. The nurse nodded. The doctor says moderate social activity can aid your recovery. I'll get it set up.

10 minutes later, my friend was escorted into my room. He was wearing a lab coat disguised as a hospital psychotherapist. Valerie, I'm here for your art therapy session, he said with a serious expression, winking at me. The nurse discreetly stepped out and stood guard outside. My friend immediately dropped his voice.

I got everything out. The Song Dynasty ceramics, your grandmother's jewelry box, everything. They already confirmed receipt from Switzerland. You weren't caught? I asked softly.

Not at all. I took it out of the storage room under the excuse of a moisture treatment. My friend smiled triumphantly. Your sister-in-law even complimented me on being so thorough. I couldn't help but smile.

The Gallagher family had no idea of the true value of those old knickknacks. That Song Dynasty tea set was an invaluable relic. A single piece was worth millions. And inside my grandmother's jewelry box were three incredibly rare pink diamonds and this. My friend took a small exquisite box from his briefcase.

What you specifically asked for? I opened the box. Inside was an ancient jade pendant. It was the family heirloom my grandmother had secretly given me right before she died. She told me its value was incalculable.

I had hidden it in a secret compartment in the wall of my bedroom. Not even Jason knew it existed. Thank you. I carefully tucked the pendant into my clothes. One more favor.

Give this to Sarah. I handed him a note with a password and an account number. Just after my friend left, Betty reappeared. This time bringing shocking news. "Valerie, Chloe lost the baby."

I snapped my head up. This time it wasn't an act. I was genuinely surprised. "It happened a little while ago. She suddenly started bleeding heavily."

Betty's face showed a strange excitement. The doctor couldn't do anything. I instantly knew what had happened, but outwardly I maintained my blank expression. Blood. Did you see a lot of blood?

Yes. Yes. You predicted it, Betty said excitedly. My mom says it's God's will that Chloe didn't have the blessing to bear a child for our family. At that moment, Jason burst into the room.

His eyes were bloodshot. Valerie, it was you. I shrank back into the corner of the bed, faking terror. The spider. The little spider.