SILLAGE

While I Was Bleeding Out, He Lit Lanterns For Her

Katie Oettgen

As I lay on the floor of our manor, bleeding out from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, I used my last ounce of strength to call my husband, Cole. I begged him for help, my vision blurring. But the only thing I heard was the clinking of champagne glasses and his mistress's giggle in the background. "Stop the drama, June," Cole snapped, his voice cold. "We're about to go on stage. Don't call again." He hung up, leaving me to die alone on the Persian rug while he accepted an award with another woman on his arm. I woke up in the hospital days later. My baby was gone. They had removed my fallopian tube. Cole finally arrived, smelling of expensive scotch and his mistress's perfume. He didn't hug me. He didn't cry. Instead, he leaned over my hospital bed, pressing his knee into the mattress until my fresh stitches tore open and bled. "You embarrassed me by calling an ambulance," he hissed. "My mistress, Alycia, says you're faking it. Clean yourself up." He left me bleeding again to go announce a $10 million donation to Alycia's "groundbreaking" medical research. I stared at the TV screen, numb. The research Alycia was taking credit for? It was mine. I wrote that patent years ago under a pseudonym. They thought I was just a poor, orphan housewife who needed Cole's money to survive. They had no idea I was actually a billionaire scientist hiding my identity. I pulled the IV needle out of my arm. A drop of blood fell onto the divorce papers I had been hiding. I didn't wipe it off. I signed my name right over it. Then I walked into the bank, reactivated my dormant account with $128 million, and bought the penthouse directly overlooking Cole's house. The mourning widow is dead. The avenger is born.

Romance Crime Revenge Pregnancy Enemies to Lovers Pregnancy Personal Growth

Download the Book on the App

I think that will be all for today Gabriel. I have to head home now. You know Alessandra will not go to bed without me." Ronald said as he stood up from the chair behind his desk and started arranging the files on the desk.

He was trying to sort out the documents he will take home for the weekend to work on and the ones he will leave in the office.

"No problem, we've done everything on our to-do list. Jemma must be worried about me too." Gabriel replied.

"Then you better get your ass off that chair and don't keep that pregnant lady waiting." Ronald reasoned.

"You're right bro, see you on Monday. My regards to Alessandra." Gabriel said as he stood up and gave Ronald a goodbye hug.

"My regards to Jemma too, we will probably show up at your place this weekend, " Ronald said.

"I'm sure she will appreciate that, " Gabriel said before walking out of Ronald's office.

Ronald Gidwani is a successful Businessman. He's not the richest in the country but you will surely find him among the top six. He's a single father to his adorable six-year-old daughter, Alessandra.

Ronald's father passed away two years ago which leaves him with his Mom, his younger sister Elena, Alessandra, his daughter and Gabriel his best friend.

Being the CEO of a Telecom company is not an easy task but Ronald finds his way around it. Thanks to him being a hard worker.

Ronald was sure as hell that Alessandra, his daughter will still be awake even though it was just a few minutes to nine. She was used to him reading her a bedtime story. Hence, she will not go to bed without him tucking her.

Ronald was not used to staying late in the office. Today was an exception because he had so much to do.

Besides that, it has been raining all day. The rain got heavier in the evening and it wouldn't be a good idea to drive in that kind of weather.

As the CEO and founder of his company, Ronald had the finest, biggest and most expensive office in the building.

After sorting the documents, he kept the ones he will be taking home inside his brown leather briefcase. He reached for his mobile phones and kept them in his pocket, then walked out of his office.

Instead of using the elevator he decided to take the stairs because it had a short cut to the underground parking lot.

He reached the parking lot almost immediately and walked towards his car which was parked on the space reserved for the CEO.

The parking lot was quiet except for the noise from the drops of water coming from the sky. It was still raining but the rain was not as heavy as it was a few hours ago.

Ronald dismissed his driver when he figured out he was going to stay long in the office. So he had no choice but to drive himself.

He hopped into his car, transferred his briefcase to the backseat, started the engine and drove out of the parking lot.

There was a short cut Ronald and his driver like using but today he felt like taking the longer route home.

Ronald noticed most shops had closed and even the road was kind of empty which was very strange. 'Perhaps it's because of the rain.' Ronald said to himself.

Read Now