Chapter 2
I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time. "Grandma, I lost the bet.
"I'll come home next week, and I'm ready to go along with whatever the family decides."
Her voice was as steady as ever, not a hint of emotion in it.
It was like she'd seen this coming all along.
She didn't press for details and told me, "In a week, I'll have Rode, the butler, to pick you up.
"Use the time left to wrap things up with this relationship. Don't leave any loose ends."
I knew that she wanted me to sever all ties with Eric.
Between us lay two ties: the business empire I'd built for him in Westvale and the child I was carrying.
I decided to set aside thoughts about the baby for now and deal with the business first.
*****
When I got home, I headed upstairs to Eric's private office.
He never let anyone in there, including me.
I respected his wishes and had never set foot in that study.
But today, I decided I wasn't going to play by his rules.
I found the spare key and unlocked the study door.
I cracked Eric's computer password without breaking a sweat, planning to grab all the company files.
On his computer, I found a folder filled with sub-folders, each named after a different girl.
I opened one called "Annie".
Inside was a file containing Annie's basic info, plus some pretty graphic private photos and videos.
I realized I only knew a fraction of the real Eric all these years.
*****
By evening, Eric came home from work.
He had a bouquet of roses in one hand and a blue bag in the other.
"Honey, these are for you," he said, handing me the roses.
Then he took out a blue baby outfit from the bag. "And this is for our son."
He probably forgot I didn't like roses.
And he never looked at my prenatal report.
The report clearly stated that I was carrying a girl.
"Honey, I miss you." Eric put the roses and baby outfit on the couch and then came over and hugged me.
He pressed his chin against the top of my head, holding me tight in his arms.
I had no interest in getting cozy with him, so I reached out and pushed him away.
Eric stepped back, his smile disappearing instantly.
His voice was full of annoyance. "Bella, you know what? That's really annoying.
"Sometimes I seriously regret choosing you. I must've been out of my mind."
With that, he turned and marched upstairs, muttering angrily.
I stood there, watching him walk away.
Back then, Eric stepped in front of robbers for me, took several bullets, and almost lost his life. I couldn't figure out how he could've turned into such a jerk.
I remembered him lying in the hospital, bloody and battered, holding my hand and telling me he'd never let anyone hurt me.
At that time, his eyes were so bright, and his smile was so pure.
I closed my eyes, not wanting to think about it anymore.
I picked up the roses and the baby outfit from the couch and walked over to the trash can.
*****
The next day, the neighboring city hosted a lavish auction gala.
The place was packed with wealthy elites and high-profile socialites.
In the live-stream, I spotted Eric, who'd said he was in Colentoria for business, showing up at the auction with a glamorous companion.
I recognized her as his ex-assistant, Lillian Wulfe.
Eric changed female assistants constantly, but Lillian was the one who stuck around the longest.
After she stopped being his assistant, Eric promoted her to head of administration at the company.
Later, Eric went all out and bought a set of 19th-century antique jewelry for Lillian, and the story blew up online.
*****
When he got back from the auction, Eric sent a gift home for me with his driver.
It was a common diamond necklace, the sort one could find at any jewelry counter in the mall.
It didn't come close to the antique set he bought for Lillian.
I felt nothing. All I cared about was getting Eric to sign the divorce papers as soon as possible.