Chapter 552: Conflict Starts

Charles tried to comfort Sarah and took her to a VIP ward. However, she continued screaming, clutching his hands. "It must be Hannah," she cried. "She knew I was pregnant. It has to be her!"

Awakening to the agonizing pain of her baby's loss, Sarah quickly suspected Hannah's involvement. She remembered Hannah suggesting a test of Charles's love using her pregnancy. The answer now seemed painfully obvious. Sarah couldn't believe Hannah, a woman she considered beneath her, dared to conspire against her, the cherished daughter of Rowan and esteemed lady of the Collins family. Anger burned within her.

Charles, however, seemed oblivious to her fury, soothing her and suggesting they try for another baby. This was not what Sarah wanted. She craved retribution for Hannah's actions. Having never faced such betrayal, Sarah refused to remain passive. Unable to continue the futile conversation, she demanded, "Give me my phone! I'm going to call my dad and kill that bitch!"

Charles refused. "Honey, you're the top priority. Let me handle this. Just rest."

"Charles, give me my phone!" Sarah raged.

Ignoring her fury, Charles attempted to soothe her. "Honey…"

Sarah slapped him hard across the face. From birth, she had been indulged; no one had ever dared defy her, not even when she'd insisted on marrying Charles. Only her threat to take her own life had swayed her father, Rowan, into consenting to the marriage. Now, Charles was trying to control her.

His face fell after the slap. Martina, witnessing the scene, exclaimed, "Sarah, who do you think you are? Behave yourself!"

Stunned, Sarah stared at Martina, a woman she despised. She couldn't believe the rebuke.

Meanwhile, Charles, already reeling from the loss of his baby and Sarah's aggression, felt his patience evaporate. Instead of reprimanding Martina, he found a perverse satisfaction in it. Perhaps Sarah needed a lesson.

Martina continued, "Charles told you to rest! What are you screaming about? Behave yourself!"

"Who do you think you are?" Sarah retorted, her anger escalating.

Martina stood firm, pointing at Sarah. "I would have slapped you if it weren't for my brother! You think you're superior because you're a Collins? Frankly, Hannah is far better than you! Get some self-awareness!"

"Martina!" Sarah shrieked, furious at the audacity of this perceived inferior. She was further enraged by Charles's inaction. He was clenching his fists, trying to control himself.

After a deep breath, Charles said, "Sarah, I know how awful you feel. But you need to take care of yourself. We can have another baby later. Just rest. Let me handle this."

"Handle what? Are you going to kill Hannah?" Sarah challenged.

"She will face consequences."

"I want her punished now!"

"Let me handle this."

"Can you?" she scoffed.

Charles met her gaze.

"You can do nothing without me! My family would have collapsed without me! You think you can handle this? Without my father's help, you'd be miserable!"

Martina's anger flared again. Charles intervened, calming her. Martina, teeth gritted, wanted to smack Sarah.

Sarah insisted, "I only trust my father! He'll do what I ask!"

Charles was mortified. Sarah, intending to bypass him, moved to get her phone from her handbag. Before she could, Charles pinned her to the bed.

Sarah struggled. "Let me go!"

"Sarah, don't push me!" Charles, at his limit, knew firm action was required.

"Charles Sawyer!"

"Stay still! Don't push me again!"

Sarah stared at him, aghast. The loving man she knew was threatening her, his voice cold and harsh. This, she realized, was his true self. Hannah's words echoed – that she was merely a tool, discarded with the loss of their baby.

Sarah trembled with anger, recognizing Hannah's manipulative success. She had lost her baby and uncovered Charles's true nature. Overwhelmed by despair and rage, tears welled in her eyes. This was the worst day of her life.