The Wife He Left For Dead

lia

t of expensive perfume and champagne hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the antiseptic smell of the hospital that still clung to me. He held my arm

we approached the entrance. "D

re like a grimace. My resolve was a hard knot in my chest. This was the last time I w

ure scene was here. And right in the center of it all, bathed in the spotlight, was Elsa Rodgers, radiating an artificia

en to my hospital-issued wristband, then back to my pale face. Whispers started. I stood t

of admirers aside. She launched herself into his arms, kissing him on both cheeks, her

se ends, my dear. But I'm here now. For you." He completely dismissed me, but

th fake concern. "You look so... pale. Are you feeling alright? G

That was h

lifting to the men, right, Gideon?" She gave him a knowing wink. "Elsa, on the other hand, she's a force of nature! Truly a visio

on, you know? And a little help from my amazing friends." She squeezed Gideon

he looked at Elsa's child, the way he doted on him, the way he ignored our baby. This wasn't

ive gasp. I knew my face must have

celebrating! Let me get you a glass of champagne. It'll cheer you up!" She gestured to a pa

, piped up, "Elsa, your designs are truly breathtaking. I saw the sketches of yo

nature, a little bit of magic..." She glanced

ning, terrible suspicion. Organic. Unique. Those were my keywords. Those

er socialite chirped. "Tru

t landed on Elsa. "T

sly smile,

arling, tell us. How did you and Gideon first realize you were

ys had a special connection. Since we were kids. Gideon just gets me. He understands my vision, my dreams..." She paused

lt a surge of cold fury, but I kept my face impassiv

ial connection'?" another guest dared to a

Gideon would never do anything to hurt her. We're just friends. Honest!" H

ll their sycophantic praise for Elsa, it was like a buzzing in my ears. I' d seen it before. Gideon always had a 'friend' or a 'muse' wh

firm. He' d said my talent was "too fragile" for the cutthroat industry. He'd gaslit me into believing I wasn't good enough, that my ideas were child

thought began to form. My initial suspicion about her designs wasn' t just abou

f!" the socialite who suggested the game

un again. It

ve a lurch.

with malice. She knew I was vulnerable. She knew I was

settling over me. "Truth." I had noth

on his face. He probably expected me to pick dare, to ref

. What do you really think about Gideon's success? And about... us?" She gest

id, my voice clear and steady, cutting through the sudden silence in the room. "And as for 'us'..." I looked pointed

crowd. Gideon's face went

ssed, gripping my arm again, his eyes wide with

ith every fiber of my being. You chose your 'soulmate' and

çade cracking. "Dahlia, baby, come on. Don't do this. We can tal

uld buy me. He thought my pain, my loss, my

diffuse the tension, or perhaps simply craving

directly at

e practically crowed, enjoying my public humiliation. "I dare you, Dahlia," she continued, her eyes alight with

operated-on stomach. After losing a pre

m weight of concern, in the back

got out of the hospital." He was trying to save face, to appear like a concerned h

le bit of fun! Unless... Dahlia's really that fragile? Does sh

Fragile? Something to hi

hed for the tequila bottle on the table, my han

uly panicked now. He probably didn't want me to get sick

ow. "You wanted a show. You got it." I yanked my arm f

nd fear. He couldn't control me. And that realization seemed to driv

e thought he owned me. He thought he could dictate

t. It won't hurt her. If she can't even handle this, then what good is she?" Her eyes were still on my stomach

from my hand. Then, with a sudden, violent movement, he shov

I lost my footing, falling backwards, my head hitting the edge of a nearby table with a sickening t

t. My hands instinctively flew to my stomach,

a mask of fleeting concern. "Dahlia? Are you okay?" Then his eyes narrowe

trying to hold myself together, a fresh wa

ooming on my pale dress, spreading o

She's bleeding! My