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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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"Felix, the wedding's about to start—you can't just leave!"

Draped in an immaculate white gown, Linsey Brooks clung to Felix Wells' arm, her fingers trembling as panic filled her voice.

Today was supposed to be their day.

Yet, just as the ceremony was about to begin, Felix had read a text message, turned to the crowd, and declared the wedding canceled.

His brows were drawn together, his voice tight with urgency. "Move. Joanna's hurt. She's alone in the hospital, and she must be terrified. I have to be there for her."

Linsey's face drained of color.

Joanna Saunders was Felix's childhood sweetheart.

Linsey had started dating Felix five years ago. And for five years, whenever she went out with him, if Joanna so much as needed him, Felix would leave Linsey behind.

He always insisted Joanna was just like a sister to him and always told Linsey to understand.

And she had, again and again.

But this was their wedding day.

So what if Joanna needed him? Did that mean Linsey had to be abandoned by the man who was supposed to become her husband?

Her voice quivered as Linsey whispered, "No, you can't go. The wedding can't happen without you. No matter what, you have to stay today. Please, Felix… I'm begging you."

But his patience snapped. "Enough! Stop being selfish and unreasonable. We can always reschedule the wedding. But right now, Joanna's hurt. If I don't go, can you handle the consequences? Move!"

Before she could say another word, he shoved past her.

Linsey staggered, her heels slipping against the polished floor as she crashed onto it. From where she sat, stunned and breathless, she could only watch as Felix disappeared through the doors—without a single glance back.

In the next second, her phone rang.

Without thinking, she answered—only to be met with a woman's smug, triumphant voice on the other end.

"Linsey, today's your big day with Felix, isn't it? Do you like the little gift I sent you?"

Linsey's entire body went rigid as recognition hit her. Through clenched teeth, she spat, "Joanna… You did this on purpose. You lured Felix away, didn't you?"

"That's right. And? What are you gonna do about it? I just wanted to remind you—in Felix's heart, I'll always come first." Joanna's tone dripped with arrogance, every word laced with mockery. "I bet you spent months planning this, huh? Such a shame… All that work, all that dreaming—gone. Honestly, I almost feel bad for you."

Linsey stared down at the pristine white fabric of her gown, and for the first time, she saw the last five years for what they really were—a joke.

Since she was an orphan, she had been so desperate for a family, for a love she could call her own.

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