Chapter 4
384words
a voice I never wanted to hear again called out behind me.
"Eleanor?"
I froze, then slowly turned.
Victor stood there with his arm around Chloe as they emerged from the prenatal care center.
Chloe clutched an ultrasound printout, her face glowing with smug satisfaction.
Victor's expression hardened. "Are you stalking us now?"
Years ago, he'd stood exactly like this—shielding me, glaring down anyone who dared harass me.
Back then, he'd sworn: "Anyone who hurts you deals with me."
Now he shielded another woman and looked at me like I was garbage.
Chloe recovered quickly, her smile turning vicious. "What's wrong, Eleanor? Hotel room not entertaining enough? Had to follow us here for the sequel?"
Nausea hit me in waves. I leaned against the wall, fighting to stay upright.
"Playing the victim now?" Victor sneered.
I stared at them, struck by the absurdity of it all.
"Get out of my way," I managed, swallowing back bile.
Victor's eyes narrowed, then lit with sudden understanding. "Ah, I see. What a coincidence. Daddy dearest is here too?"
Chloe giggled, pressing herself against him. "Poor Eleanor. Fails at marriage and drags her family down with her."
She dug her fingers into Victor's arm possessively. "Look at yourself. You can barely stand up straight. No wonder you couldn't keep a man interested."
I drew a steadying breath despite my roiling stomach. "Couldn't keep? More like trash I threw out. Though you seem thrilled with my leftovers."
Chloe's face contorted. She thrust the ultrasound at me. "Look closely! I'm three months pregnant! Victor says it's the baby he's always wanted!"
"Congratulations." My nails bit crescents into my palm. "Trash belongs with trash. You deserve each other."
Victor stepped into my space. "Sign the papers, Eleanor. For your father's sake. Keep stalling, and things might get... unfortunate."
"Don't worry," I met his gaze without flinching. "You'll have my signature—and my pity."
I leaned in, enunciating each word:
"Remember this: I. Don't. Want. You. Anymore."
"You're nothing to me now. Less than nothing."
I turned away, spine ramrod straight.
The elevator doors closed, their mirrored surface reflecting my ashen face.
I pulled out my phone and hit a single number.
"Mr. Pierce," my voice was ice-cold steel, "execute the plan. All of it."
