Chapter 2
Ethan must have recognized my social media handle he called me directly.
“You have thirty minutes. Come pick up your mother’s things from the Elite Maternity
Retreat.”
By the time I arrived, the livestream was already over.
Jessica greeted me with a bright, sugar–sweet smile, “Emily, you came to visit me?”
I walked right past her, stopping in front of Ethan and holding out my hand. “Give them to me.”
His smug expression faltered. His lips pressed into a thin line.
“She was talking to you. Cat got your tongue?”
I gave a tight smile and turned to Jessica. “Congrats, Miss Monroe. You managed to seduce my fiancé, had his baby–what’s next? Planning to climb your way into the Caldwell family with at diaper bag and a ring?”
Smash!
Ethan slammed the teacup he’d been holding onto the floor. Porcelain exploded around our
feet.
“Watch your mouth!”
Suddenly, Jessica clutched her belly, letting out a sharp cry. Tears spilled down her face like
she’d rehearsed it.
Ethan was at her side in an instant. “Jessica? What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”
She bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. Then she looked at me with a tragic kind of sorrow.
“Emily, I never wanted to ruin things between you and Ethan. But the doctor said this might be my only chance to be a mother. I promise, once I’m done here, I’ll leave. I won’t cling to
him.”
Then she turned to look at the newborn in the cradle. “I’m so sorry, baby… I brought you into this world without a real family. Mommy never meant to. I just… I hope one day you’ll forgive
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me.”
Her sobs grew louder, like her heart was breaking right in front of us.
Ethan turned to me, his eyes burning with venom. “You proud of yourself? You made her
cry.”
I let out a low laugh. “That’s some Oscar–worthy acting. Shame you’re the only one buying it.
That was the final straw.
Ethan yanked off the pocket watch–my mother’s keepsake–and raised it like he was about to smash it.
My heart dropped. “No–don’t!”
But he hurled it across the room.
Crash!
The watch shattered on the floor, its glass face splintering, pieces skidding under the furniture.
I stumbled back, caught the edge of a table, and fell hard. A sharp corner jammed into my ribs. Pain shot through me, and I couldn’t hold back a cry.
Ethan looked down at me with a twisted sneer.
“That’s what you get for running your mouth.”
“Now get out. And spare me the drama.”
Jessica gave me a concerned look that was about as real as a plastic flower.
“Emily, are you okay? Ethan might get the wrong idea if he sees you like this…”
I clenched my teeth and glared at her.
Ethan saw it and lost it. He grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet.
“Jessica’s been through a lot–she’s got a pile of laundry that needs hand–washing. Do it before you leave.”
I jerked away. “Says who?”
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“Says me. After the way you treated her, it’s the least you can do.” His voice was low and
dangerous.
“You owe her an apology.”
Despite the searing pain in my foot, I stood tall. “In your dreams.”
Without another word, Ethan shoved me into the bathroom.
Bang!
The door slammed shut, the lock clicking behind me.
“You’re not coming out until you’ve washed everything.”
“You’re locking me in?” I shouted. “This is illegal, Ethan!”
I yanked at the doorknob, slamming my palm against the door.
“Let me out!”
My hands burned, my foot throbbed, and the room stank of sour milk and vomit.
Eventually, I slid down to the floor, my strength gone.
On the other side of the door, I heard Jessica’s voice–soft, saccharine, calculated.
“Ethan, won’t Emily be mad when she gets out?”
He let out a snort. “So what? I’ll calm her down.”
“This whole thing is her fault anyway. If she doesn’t get over her spoiled–princess attitude,
she’ll never survive in this family.”
“My family’s been in the military for generations. If Caldwell Corp weren’t in need of an heir, my mom would never have let me marry a high–society brat who knows nothing but how to
spend money.”
Jessica sounded worried, but her tone was just a little too light. “What if she breaks up
you?”
Silence.
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And then, Ethan’s voice–cool, arrogant, like none of this mattered to him.
“She won’t.”
“She’s just a powerless heiress with no real inheritance. Caldwell is the best she’ll ever do.”
“And besides… she’s obsessed with me. She’d do anything I say–no questions asked.”
I clutched my chest, struggling to breathe.
I never thought he’d actually say those words.
