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He scooped Chloe up carefully, cradling her like fragile glass.
Delight poured off him in waves.
“Don’t be scared. We’re going to the hospital right now.”
Alexander rushed past me, carrying her, without so much as a glance.
He only threw back a sentence,
"Victoria, you need to calm down. Learn how to be Mrs. Fitzgerald."
From that day, Alexander didn't come home for three months.
He took Chloe to see the Swiss Alps.
Chloe casually mentioned liking the Alpine views.
He bought a chalet on the slopes that same day—deed in her name alone.
They went to Venice.
Chloe posted photos online: Alexander’s commissioned antique sapphire suite gleaming at her throat, the 18th-century necklace catching every light.
Caption: Some people quietly make all your wishes come true. So this is what being cherished feels like.
Alexander's favoritism was always blatant, like when he pursued me.
Subtlety was never his style.
I stared at that photo until my eyes burned.
I twisted the tiny diamond ring on my finger—the one he’d bought with his first intern paycheck.
“Charles.”
The butler brought tea. I asked softly,
“That trust fund continuously funding Fitzgerald Holdings… it still relies on Grandfather’s guarantee, doesn’t it?”
Charles opened the safe without a word and retrieved the documents.
“Miss Sterling.”
“Mr. Sterling arranged everything for you before he passed.”
I read the clauses.
Thinking of Alpine snow lines, Venetian reflections, that antique jewelry… I dialed Alexander’s number.
Three busy signals. I switched to video.
Finally, Chloe’s face filled the screen.
“Victoria?”
“Alex is in the shower.”
Love bites peeked above her collar. Her skin was flushed, dewy.
Nothing like the timid girl from the mountains.
“Not sure if I should say this, but you’ll find out anyway.”
“Did you know?”
“Alex says he hates how you’re always so… composed.”
“He goes wild for me in bed. Says he loves how young and wild I am. Drives him crazy.”
Chloe paused, voice thick with smug satisfaction.
“Oh, and that skin you had cut off me? Left such a huge scar.”
“Alex felt so bad, he volunteered to have a piece of his own skin grafted onto me…”
The video cut.
I gripped the windowsill, waiting for the pounding in my chest to slow.
Then I dialed another number.
That night, Alexander’s charity gala for Chloe dominated the headlines.
Society Debut: Miss Summers as Hostess!
Guests no longer whispered about her tattoo-shop past. They called her “Mrs. Fitzgerald.”
Sycophants raised champagne flutes under the chandeliers.
“Such a perfect match!”
Under the glittering ballroom lights, Alexander led Chloe to the auction podium.
They clasped hands for the cameras like newlyweds. Applause erupted as they stepped up.
“Taking this opportunity tonight…”
Alexander leaned down to adjust Chloe’s earring. “I’d like to formally announce—”
The ornate ballroom doors burst open.
A dozen lawyers in sharp suits marched in.
The lead man placed a Notice of Share Freeze directly in front of Alexander.
“Mr. Fitzgerald.”
“Per the late Mr. Sterling’s stipulations…”
Alexander started to call security.
Every staff member had already vanished.
The lawyer slid the document forward.
“Your shares in Fitzgerald Holdings are frozen.”
