Chapter 3

Just thinking about how Arabella had been spying on me, even when I was taking a shower this whole past year, I almost threw up last night's dinner.

In the end, we found sixteen hidden cameras and seven bugs throughout the Winter residence.

When Oliver came back with Arabella, I was sitting in the living room, waiting for them.

Trailing behind them were Oliver's parents.

I knew right away. Arabella had already found out about the cameras being taken down.

I cut straight to the point. "There's only one room in this house without a camera. Arabella, care to explain yourself? You're invading my privacy. That's illegal."

Arabella snorted, crossing her arms, "So what? I'm underage. Go ahead and call the cops. See if they'll actually do anything."

Oliver's mother glanced at the pile of surveillance gear on the table, then sat down on the couch like it was nothing.

"What's with that face? Guess you've never seen how the real world works," she sneered.

Oliver's father snorted, "Typical, coming from a small-time family. always getting worked up over nothing."

Of course, they'd take her side. I wasn't surprised at all.

I looked at Oliver. The only thing I cared about was his reaction. But he turned his face away, refusing to meet my eyes.

"Arabella already told me why she did it. She was feeling anxious and needed some reassurance," Oliver said. "It's not like she actually did anything to you, so let's just leave it at that."

I gave up the last bit of hope I had and let out a bitter laugh at myself. "Oliver, I'm serious. Let's get a divorce."

Arabella scoffed, "Divorce? You're just after the money, aren't you?"

I didn't bother arguing. If it were just me, I wouldn't care about walking away with nothing.

But I got a baby on the way, and I needed the money. I was not giving up what was rightfully mine.

Oliver's mother shot me a glare. "Who are you trying to threaten? As if Oliver can't do just fine without you."

Oliver stared at me for a long moment, his voice low and serious. "You'd better think it through. If we get divorced, who's really going to lose here?"

I gave him a calm smile. "I'm clear about it."

Arabella was a loose cannon. Either I dealt with her before she blew up, or I stayed the hell away from her.

If I wanted to avoid doing something I'd regret, divorce was the only option I had left.

It was already late, and I couldn't be bothered to deal with the Winter family any longer. I went back to my room and crashed.

*****

Early the next morning, I had an appointment with my lawyer and was about to head out.

But as soon as I opened the door, a water-filled plastic bag dropped right on my head.

I was soaked instantly, and then I realized a goldfish had slid right down my collar.

The icy, slippery sensation as it wriggled down my back made me stiffen up, and I couldn't help but shiver.

Arabella stood not far away, smirking as she watched me yank at my clothes in a panic, trying to shake the fish out.

My messy, desperate struggle just made her burst out laughing. She couldn't stop herself.

The goldfish hit the floor, its tail flicked weakly a couple of times, then it went still, its gills barely moving before they stopped altogether.

I couldn't help it. I turned away and dry-heaved.

Arabella's grin suddenly froze. "Wait, are you pregnant?"

I wanted to snap back, but my body betrayed me. I rushed off to the bathroom.

Acid kept rising from my stomach, and I was hunched over the toilet, retching so hard my eyes stung with tears.

The others heard the commotion and came over one after another.

Oliver's mother, who always looked furious whenever she saw me, was actually smiling for once. "You're pregnant, aren't you?" she asked.

Oliver frowned. "But she came back from the hospital yesterday and said she wasn't pregnant."

Oliver's mother grabbed his sleeve. "Go to the hospital again. With a reaction like that, there's no way she's not pregnant."

Even Oliver's father, who's usually all stern and cold, actually sounded gentle for once. "If you're really pregnant, then divorce is off the table. The Winter family barely has any kids. This baby couldn't have come at a better time."

In stark contrast to their happiness, Arabella's lips were drawn into a cold, straight line, her gaze locked on me with such hatred it was as if she wished she could rip me to shreds.

I collapsed onto the floor, completely drained, my thoughts all over the place.

The live chat was blowing up again.

[Amelia's plot is getting so weird. How did she spot the cameras? And now she's talking about divorce? Her whole persona is falling apart.]

[Arabella finally realized Amelia is pregnant. Time to strike.]