Chapter 3

Vera said, "No way. I'm calling him right now."

She grabbed her phone, ready to call Matthew.

I stopped her. "Forget it."

Vera rolled her eyes at me, but when she saw how swollen my eyes were from crying, she didn't dial. Instead, she slammed her phone onto the couch and wrapped me in a hug.

She said, "Alright, alright, quit crying. Seriously, you can crash here for as long as you need."

"Come on, I'm a trust fund kid—taking care of you and the baby is no big deal."

"Let that useless bastard get lost. The farther he goes, the better."

I leaned on Vera's shoulder, and the hurt inside me started to fade a little.

I kept replaying Matthew's words in my head.

He said, "Since you think women can take care of themselves, why don't you show me?

"You said you don't need a man to support you.

"So prove it."

I suddenly felt ridiculous.

I was the one who handed Matthew the knife.

That's what gave him the license to walk all over me.

I looked up at Vera, my fists slowly tightening.

I said, "Vera, I've made up my mind."

Vera said, "Yeah?"

I said, "I'm going to find a job. From now on, I won't rely on Matthew for anything."

Vera paused for a moment, then smiled and gave my shoulder a friendly pat. "No matter what you do, I'm always on your side.

"But honestly, with you being pregnant, no company is going to hire you right now."

"Just wait until after the baby's born—it's only a few months."

"If you really want to work, just come to Goodwin Enterprises."

"I'll have my brother set you up with the easiest gig there."

I shook my head.

Matthew clearly wanted to make me swallow my pride and force an apology out of me.

If he found out Vera took me in and gave me a job, it would ruin his plans, and he would definitely go after Goodwin Enterprises.

I can't drag Vera down with me just because of my issues with Matthew.

I needed time to become stronger, if only for my baby's sake.

*****

For a whole week, Matthew didn't reach out to me—not a single call, not even a text.

He didn't even show up lurking outside Vera's place like he used to.

He'd never done that before.

It just showed how dead set he was on making me apologize.

No matter how much it hurts, I still have to get through each day.

I gently rubbed my baby bump.

I said, "Baby, I'll do everything I can to give you the best life possible."

I started sending out resumes like crazy.

Most of them never got a reply.

A few companies called me in for interviews.

But every time the interviewer spotted my pregnant belly, their smile would instantly turn awkward.

They'd say, "Miss White, with your situation we'll let you know if something opens up."

But none of them ever called me back.

I followed up with an interviewer who actually seemed to like me, hoping to change his mind.

I said, "I graduated from a top school, my major fits perfectly, and I swear I won't take a long maternity leave. As soon as I bounce back, I'll be back at work in no time."

The interviewer just looked at me, totally at a loss.

He said, "But you're about to have your baby."

I said, "Please, just give me a chance—I promise I'm more than worth it."

He looked down at my resume, hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll talk to my boss about it, but I can't make any promises."

I thanked him right away.

Just give me a chance, and I'll prove my worth.

My little one inside seemed to sense my happiness.

Their tiny feet kept kicking my belly, one after the other.

I pressed my hand over the spot where their little feet kicked, grinning from ear to ear.

I said, "Baby, see how tough it is for me to job hunt with you in my belly?

"But don't worry, I'm your mom—I love you more than anything, and I'd never blame you for it.

"And when you get bigger, you'd better spoil your mama a little, alright?

"How about snagging all your dad's money and bringing it straight to me, deal?"

I was so caught up talking to my baby, I wasn't even watching where I was going—and suddenly, someone bumped right into me.

I stumbled, instinctively clutching my belly, almost losing my balance.

I opened my mouth to apologize.

And that's when I saw—it was Elaine.

She was decked out in a designer outfit, looking like she walked straight out of a fashion magazine—radiating effortless elegance.

I swallowed my apology and kept moving, one hand protectively on my belly.

But Elaine stepped right in front of me, her smile sickly sweet.

She said, "Oh, I didn't realize it was you. Are you and the baby alright? Matt's downstairs with me, handling some paperwork. He'll be up in a minute—do you want to stick around and see him?"

I couldn't be bothered to waste words on her, so I tried to walk around her.

But she stepped right in front of me again, her fingers trailing over the necklace at her throat.

She said, "Isn't this necklace gorgeous?"

The moment I saw that necklace, my mind just went blank.

Our third wedding anniversary was just a month away.

I'd already chosen this as our anniversary gift long ago.

Matthew had personally designed it—a custom piece made just for me.

And now, that necklace was hanging around Elaine's neck.

Matthew actually gave even that to her.

A wave of anger still rose up in my chest.

But then my baby gave me a gentle kick, and all that anger just drained right out of me.

It was Matthew's necklace, after all.

He could give it to whoever he wanted.

Elaine stepped closer, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.

She said, "Matt told me this was something special he designed just for your third anniversary."

"But you made such a scene that day, so he ended up giving it to me as compensation."

"Of course, it's his design. I absolutely adore it."

I was over it, but Elaine just couldn't leave me alone.

Alright, if she wants drama, I'll give her drama.

I reached out and ripped the necklace right off her neck.

Elaine let out a scream, a red line showing up on her neck.

Matthew shrieked, "Rachel, what the hell is your problem?"

Matthew appeared at exactly that moment.

Of course. Just like I thought.

She was obviously just trying to piss me off.

Matthew rushed over, checking Elaine's neck—he saw the scratch right away.

He turned to me, his eyes icy cold.

He said, "I've told you already, I'm just trying to make it up to Elaine. Why can't you just let it go? Why do you always have to go after her?"