Chapter 3

I couldn't die now.

I couldn't drag my child down with me.

For the first time, my heart, frozen and numb for so long, was seized by panic.

I dashed back to the study, desperate to find that contract.

I had to keep Keith from going through with it. I needed to rip that agreement to shreds.

I'd barely stepped through the door when my phone started ringing.

It was Keith.

I picked up, my hand shaking. Before I could say a word, his voice came through. It was soft, but with a clear edge of annoyance.

"I heard you went to the hospital today," he said.

"Yeah. Keith, listen, we—" I began.

Keith cut me off, sounding a bit annoyed. "Do you realize that because you skipped the gala last night, the media is blowing up with rumors about us having marriage problems?"

He didn't let me get another word in, his voice tired.

"Howard Group's stock price just dropped again. The restructuring is seriously affecting us. Shannon, is this what you were hoping for?" he demanded.

I gripped my phone, my whole body going cold. But I fought to keep my emotions in check, trying to tell him there was something wrong with the contract.

"Keith, there's something wrong with that contract—" I started.

"Keith!" Nancy's soft, teasing voice chimed in, interrupting. "Who are you on the phone with? Come on, don't keep us waiting. You need to sign the new merger papers."

Keith immediately lowered his voice, saying a few sweet words to Nancy on the other end. When he spoke to me again, his tone was gentle but had a distant edge.

He said, "I've already put out a statement to the press saying you missed the dinner last night because you weren't feeling well.

"Since you went to the hospital today, the rumors should blow over soon.

"So, just stay home and rest for the next few days. Don't go out unless I say so, got it?"

With that, he hung up.

When I tried to call him again, his phone was already switched off.

I rushed to the door, but two guys in black suits stepped in front of me, stone-faced and unmoving.

"Sorry, Mrs. Reed. Unless Mr. Reed says so, you're not going anywhere," one of them said.

I was panicking. I knew if that contract wasn't stopped before midnight, both Howard Group and my baby would be doomed.

I had to get out, no matter what.

*****

That night, I pretended I needed a drink of water from the kitchen, managed to avoid the bodyguards stationed at the door, and quietly slipped out through the back.

I grabbed a cab and made a beeline straight for Reed Group HQ.

When I reached the top floor, the CEO's office door was left slightly open, and I could hear Nancy's laughter drifting out from inside.

"Keith, I have a new condition," Nancy said. "I want all of Howard Group's clients and their core business. Give them all to me. If you agree, I'll call it quits."

Keith's voice floated out, carrying a touch of reluctant fondness. "Nancy, don't be silly."

Nancy shot back, her voice rising, "How am I being silly?

"I've put up with so much for you, year after year. Now I'm just asking you to throw me a bone with a bit of Howard Group's resources. Is that really so wrong?

"Besides, even if I take all those now, with your skills, you'll definitely find new business partners and clients for Howard Group. You've always managed to pull it off before, so why is this time any different?

"Who knows, maybe after this whole shake-up, Howard Group will end up even stronger with you running things."

That was when it all clicked for me.

No wonder Keith was always wracked with guilt every time Howard Group took a hit.

All these years, he'd just been using Howard Group as his personal bargaining chip to please Nancy.

How ridiculous of me, actually believing he was genuinely trying to help me and Howard Group.

He was just trying to make things up to me, nothing more.

Hate and despair crashed over me, and my legs almost gave out.

Nausea hit me. I covered my mouth, trying not to throw up.

The voices inside went silent.

Keith yanked the door open, his brows furrowing when he saw how pale I looked.

"Shannon, what are you doing here?" he demanded. "Do you have any idea where this is?

"Didn't I tell you not to leave the house unless I said so? What if the reporters spot you?"

I looked at him, teeth clenched. All that burning hatred inside me made me feel oddly calm.

"Keith, let's divorce," I said, my voice steady.

"Divorce?" Keith drew in a long breath, forcing himself to stay calm as he explained, "Howard Group's restructuring is hanging by a thread right now.

"Any rumors or media attention could mess everything up. If we split now, can you really handle the fallout?"

"Shannon, what are you doing here?" Nancy stepped out of the office and said.

As soon as she saw me, she put on her best caring act, reaching out like she wanted to help me.

"Come on, don't make a scene," she said, her voice dripping with fake sympathy, her eyes radiant.

She added, "Just let Keith handle everything with Howard Group, okay? Don't make things harder for him. He's already got so much on his plate, you know."