MOONBOUND Vengeance

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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LILIANA POINT OF VIEW

I dropped the book, noticing how dark it is becoming. I need to go home before it gets too dark, so I can make dinner, I am quite sure Mom will be out busy with work.

“Hi, Liliana.” I hear, and smile at Dorcas.

“Hey, Dorcas.”

My voice is low, and controlled, everything about me is controlled.

“I need to return this book, baby Cordelia spilled milk all over it. I know I shouldn’t ruin the Library books, but pretty please.” She smiles, and I am silent for a few seconds.

This is not a library, it is a bookshop. She borrowed the book three weeks ago, she didn’t even pay for it, but I don’t say any of that.

“Of course, there’s no problem.” I smile, taking the ruined book from her, the damage looks and smells more like Vodka, but it isn’t my place to say something.

“Have a nice night, my regards to sweet Cord – “

She cuts me off saying “Could I grab Taylor Jenkins Reid latest book, I will just skim through, not much reading.”

I stay silent for a few seconds then nod, taking the book and showing her the tag, despite knowing she wouldn’t pay.

“I will owe you a dollar.” She grins and walks away, leaving me with a smile on my face, one that feels more plastic by each second.

I spend the next twenty minutes packing all my books inside, with the flowers. It has always been my dream to own a bookshop, that is also a flower shop. I have been thinking of expanding, making it a cafe too, but that seems unattainable with every second that passes.

I am twenty-eight, and still live with my mother. I have enough money in saving, to get my own apartment, and revamp the bookshop, but I can’t touch it, because I have to stay with her, she needs me, even if she doesn’t show others.

The weather is getting a bit cloudy, and I know in less than thirty minutes it’s going to rain, so I better move it.

I stare round the bookshop, making sure everything is packed, so I head to the door, about to leave, when I hear a familiar voice.

“Lilliana.”

“Collin.” I smile at him, his blue eyes gazing at me softly.

“Hey,”

I look behind him and see he is not alone.

“Oh, hey Raye.” I smile, when it is the last thing I want to do, considering the huge crush I have on Collin and the rumor flying about him and Raye.

“Where are you heading to, it’s getting pretty late.” I say, bringing out my keys.

“Late? The night is just getting started, but I guess you have a curfew.” She grins and I smile.

“We need some flowers and candles, there’s a party few streets from here, you’re welcome to come.” Collin says, and I stare at him.

Collin is the Alpha’s first son, and he has been my crush, the ‘love of my life’ for a very long time, we grew up together, we were best friends, until we grew apart.

“Oh, we are closed, come early tomorrow.” I say, locking the doors.

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