Chapter 688 The Pressure Ball

The pressure ball was filled with water, and its weight was no less than that of a full-term fetus.

“Didn’t you mock my wife for looking ugly when she was pregnant? Well, now you look just like that—but somehow even worse. You don’t even look human.”

The man yanked Elsie’s hair, his teeth gritted in a cold smile. “My wife was beautiful. You were just jealous—jealous that she was pretty, jealous that she had a husband who loved her completely. You couldn’t stand it, so you mocked her. You just couldn’t bear to see someone happy. I heard… when your mother gave birth to you, she was tied up like a dog, just like you are now. I can’t believe that with a wretch like you, she not only let you live but treated you like a treasure. Pathetic. Compared to you, I think Lily—who gave birth to you and Owen—deserves to die even more.”

Elsie clasped her hands together and crawled toward him on the ground, begging frantically. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I was horrible! Please let me go!”

“Let you go? My wife begged you for mercy too. And what did you do? Did you let her go?” The man’s rage boiled over as he shoved hard on Elsie’s swollen belly.

Elsie screamed, the pressure so intense she nearly blacked out.

Her body, swollen and rotting from the internal strain, gave off a stench that was unbearable.

She didn’t know how much longer this torment would last. In desperation, she cried, “Please! I know I was wrong! If you let me go, Owen will give you so much money! Your wife and child are already dead—killing me won’t bring them back! You’d be better off trading me for money. Then we both win! There are plenty of women out there. If you’ve got money, you can marry ones prettier and healthier than your wife! Why are you so obsessed with destroying me?”

Her words only made him snap. “No one can compare to my wife! I want my wife! Say it again! Go on!”

He pumped more water into the pressure ball.

Elsie rolled across the ground, her belly like a giant yoga ball about to burst.

She screamed and thrashed—then suddenly went still.

She thought she was going to die.

But she didn’t.

When she woke again, the candle on the stone wall had burned down to its end.

The cave was pitch-black and silent. She had no idea if the man was still there.

She didn’t dare move at first. After ten long minutes without a sound, she cautiously reached for the chain.

Her hands went to her neck—only to find the chain was gone.

She… was free?

The moment the thought took hold, her body moved faster than her mind. She fled.

But her belly was so huge that every step pulled at her internal organs, sending waves of pain through her body.

She stopped, wanting to drain the water from the pressure ball—only to realize the external tube was gone.

The hose was missing, but the ball was still inside her, full of water. A wave of dizziness hit her.

The tube had been shoved completely inside her. She couldn’t get it out herself, and there was no way to drain the water.

…No matter.

Once she got home and reunited with her mother and Owen, they’d fix it.

Holding her belly with both hands, Elsie staggered down the mountain. Luckily, the man didn’t catch her.

The path was remote; her feet were raw and bleeding before she finally reached a road and spotted shops and people.

But before she could get close, passersby wrinkled their noses and backed away in disgust.

She reeked a nauseating mix of unwashed filth and rotting flesh.

At first, Elsie felt ashamed and tried to avoid people. But after being shunned so many times, she stopped caring and barged straight ahead.

People would move out of her way on their own.

“How long is this going to take…” She clutched her belly, feeling as if it would split her open.

“I’ll call Owen to pick me up.” She spotted a convenience store nearby, a phone sitting on the counter.

The moment she stepped inside, the shopkeeper caught the stench and realized it was coming from her. He grabbed a mop and shouted, “You stinking beggar! Get out! Try stealing something and I’ll kill you!”

Elsie flinched, then, when he looked away, she spat at him.

As he recoiled in disgust, she snatched the phone from the counter.

“Hey! You filthy beggar! I’ll beat you to death!”