The Collision

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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CALIFORNIA

"Hello Mum, I'm leaving!!" As I ran out of the house, I screamed, "I'm sure I'm in a lot of trouble right now!"

Since Madam Zola didn't like me, she won't be easy on me. She might even try to get me fired. As I got into the taxi, I let out a sigh.

I just really hope that this will end someday because school starts back up in a week and I still can't go. Arianna, how did you get your life in such a mess?

"Ma'am, we've arrived at your place."

Before I left the taxi, the driver said "thank you" and thanked me. I thanked him again, paid the bill, and sighed as I left.

You've always dealt with worse, so you shouldn't let your fear take over.

I sighed and walked into California's most famous restaurant. I thought to myself, "Damn, popular my foot, they don't even pay enough money," but why does my mind tell me that Madam Zola is not being honest about the payments?

After I finished clearing my throat, Viviana turned back to me. She is the only friend I have here.

"F**k, Arianna, you're late again. What do you want me to do with you right now?" What about Madam Zola, she sighed. "I asked, "She told me to call you when I got there. I hope you're not already in trouble." She said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it." I put on a fake smile and went to Madame Zola's office.

I knocked

"Come inside," "As I took one last breath and moved towards the door, her voice was cold and harsh.

She suddenly yelled, "You're fired! I don't want to see you here again!" When I heard that, I dropped to my knees.

"Ma'am, I'm very sorry, and I promise this won't happen again. I begged and pleaded, "I had to do something before coming here, I'm so sorry, I don't want to see your ugly face here again, don't you get it?!?" She yelled, "Ma'am, please, my mother and I will starve to death if you fire me. I will do whatever you want, please," and she promised to do whatever the boss wanted. As I said, I started crying "Okay, this month there won't be any pay. Do you want it to be that way, or do you plan to leave?"

I choked out "I accept" through my tears "Get out!" As soon as she yelled, I jumped up and ran out of the room.

I was so upset that I had to go to the toilet to cry. Why did she? I've never been able to get by without that money, and now I'll have to work without getting paid.

After I was done crying, I quickly washed my face and left the house.

*** ***

"What exactly did she say?" Viviana asked me " I told her I was working for a month without pay, and she gasped and asked, "Is she crazy?" How could she treat you like that? What kind of person is she?" The woman cried out.

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