Chapter 4
Nathan, who once swore to protect me, was now telling me to beg another woman.
Tears burned in my eyes. I forced them back.
For Bella. For that five-thousand-dollar complaint fine...
I slowly bent my knees and let them hit the hard tile.
The cold seeped through my skin, spreading through my whole body.
I picked up the rag and started wiping the floor, inch by inch.
Above me, Lillian's triumphant laugh and Nathan's cold, empty stare.
In that moment, any shred of dignity I had left was completely destroyed.
I finished cleaning and tried to leave, but Lillian blocked my way.
"In a hurry? You're not done yet." She pointed to a pile of gift boxes in the corner of the living room. "We're having a party here tonight. You need to open all these and sort them."
I checked the time. It was four PM.
Bella was still in the hospital. I'd promised to be with her tonight.
"Sorry. I agreed to clean. This isn't part of the job," I said.
"I'll pay you extra." Nathan was on the couch, flipping through a magazine without looking up. "Seven thousand dollars."
Seven thousand dollars.
That was two months of Bella's medication.
The refusal died in my throat.
"Fine." I walked to the corner and started unwrapping the beautifully packaged boxes.
Time slipped away, and the sky gradually darkened.
More guests arrived at the villa, men and women in designer clothes.
Music and chatter filled the hall.
I crouched in my corner, completely out of place.
"Hey, isn't that Hannah?" A sharp voice cut through the noise.
I looked up and saw a few familiar faces.
Old college acquaintances. People from Nathan's circle.
"Oh my god, it really is her. What is she wearing?"
"I heard she dumped Mr. Collins for money back in the day. How'd she end up looking like this?"
"That's what you call getting what you deserve."
They gathered around, pointing and whispering, their eyes full of contempt.
Lillian walked over on Nathan's arm, holding a glass of champagne. "Hey, don't be like that. Hannah's working for a living now. We should respect that."
She said "respect," but her eyes were pure venom.
"Perfect timing, Hannah. Since we're all old friends here, why don't you join us for a drink?" Lillian took a glass of red wine from a passing tray and held it out to me.
"I don't drink." I looked down and kept sorting.
"What? You're turning her down?" Some woman in a sparkly dress sneered. "Hannah, you think you're still the campus queen? Lillian offering you a drink is an honor."
"Yeah, get off your high horse." Someone shoved me.
I lost my balance and fell, my palm landing right on an opened brooch.
The sharp pin stabbed into my skin. Blood welled up instantly.
"Ah," I cried out.
"Oh god, you're bleeding. That's so gross." Lillian stumbled back dramatically. "Don't get it on my rug."
Nathan stood in the center of the crowd, watching coldly. Not lifting a finger.
"Hannah. Drink it, and you can leave," he finally said.
Ignoring the searing pain in my palm, I took the glass with shaking hands.
One drink. Then I'd get the two thousand and escape this nightmare.
I tilted my head back and downed the bitter wine.
"Yeah." The crowd hooted.
"Another one." Someone shoved another glass at me.
I staggered to my feet. "Mr. Collins. You said one."
"Did I say one drink gets you the money?" Nathan raised an eyebrow, pure amusement in his eyes.
"You..." My phone buzzed violently in my pocket.
My heart lurched. Forgetting my injured hand, forgetting the mocking crowd, I fumbled for it.
I barely hit answer before a nurse's frantic voice came through.
"Ms. Bailey. Bella's gone into cardiac arrest. She's in emergency surgery. We need a family member here to sign consent forms immediately. Please hurry..."
"I'm on my..." A hand shot out and snatched the phone from me.
"Nathan. Give it back." I lunged at him like a wild animal.
He held it up high, watching me lose it with cold detachment.
"Which rich boy is it this time, Hannah? Can't live without a man?" he asked.
"No. Give me my phone. Please," I screamed, tears streaming down my face.