Guminhos

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

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"Someone help me! I'm being attacked!"

The desperate screams of Linda Harris filled the air, drawing an increasing crowd of onlookers to the scene.

Hadley Pearson was poised at the top of the staircase, her gaze fixed on Linda who lay crumpled below. A look of utter confusion washed over Hadley as she stared down at her own hands, completely bewildered.

Murmuring to herself, Hadley said, "How could this have happened..."

Why did Linda collapse so suddenly?

"What's going on here?"

With today marking the Flynn family's grand banquet, the estate was bustling with guests. Those who heard the commotion quickly encircled Linda, who was sprawled out from her fall down the stairs.

"What's going on? How did she end up falling?"

"Look up there. She..."

Struggling through her pain, Linda managed to lift her head and look up towards where Hadley stood.

It was then that the gathered crowd pieced together the apparent events.

"Hadley pushed Linda!"

"Good heavens! Hadley, regardless of your feelings towards Linda, such harshness is unthinkable! And she's expecting a child!"

"You've crossed the line!"

"No, that's not true..."

As accusations flew, Hadley's complexion blanched, and she vehemently shook her head in denial.

She tried to assert her innocence, insisting she hadn't pushed Linda.

However, her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Make way!"

A commanding male voice disrupted the gathering, asserting his presence authoritatively.

That voice belonged to Eric Flynn, Hadley's new husband for only a brief period.

"Eric..."

A wave of relief washed over Hadley as she turned to him for support.

Yet, as Eric's eyes met hers, they were sharp and accusing. "You hurt her!"

"I didn't!" Hadley protested, her denial forceful as she shook her head desperately. "I wasn't the one..."

"Then who did?" Eric asked, his disbelief apparent.

His look of disdain and anger was directed squarely at Hadley, his features twisted in revulsion.

"Are you suggesting Linda threw herself down the stairs? You're known to be overbearing. Haven't you been antagonizing her all this time? Must I remind you of all the incidents?" Eric continued.

Hadley remained motionless.

The severity in her husband's voice rendered her speechless.

"Ah..."

Cradling her stomach, Linda leaned on Eric, her voice faint. "Eric, it's so painful. It really hurts!"

"Linda?" Eric's grandmother, Nyla Flynn, approached, alarmed. "What has happened here?" she demanded.

"There's blood!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"Look, she's bleeding!"

Beneath Linda, a crimson stain was expanding steadily.

Clutching at Eric's neck, Linda broke down in tears. "Eric! My baby! Help my baby..."

"Don't worry!"

Eric tried to reassure her, but his face betrayed his own fear as panic set in.

"We need to get to the hospital immediately!"