Chapter 1
Pregnant and attending my husband's company dinner, I watched his beautiful new secretary knock my fork to the floor with a smug little laugh. "Claire, can't you even hold a fork properly? Getting too old?"
My husband didn't defend me. He simply snapped, "Stop ruining everyone's dinner."
For a moment, it felt like even the baby inside me had stopped moving.
Then I smiled, tears burning in my eyes.
Slowly, I rose from my seat, walked onto the stage, and took the microphone.
*****
The chandeliers in the banquet hall were so bright they almost hurt my eyes.
Alex Carter's new secretary, Lily White, let out a sweet, flirtatious giggle.
Her nails were painted a bold, glossy red.
With that hand, she knocked my fork right off the table.
The fork landed on the white carpet, silent as a whisper.
Everyone at the table turned to look.
Lily put a hand to her mouth in mock surprise.
"Oh, Claire, I'm so sorry," she feigned innocence. "Can't you even hold your fork? Getting clumsy with age, Claire?"
Her words were like needles, sharp and cruel.
Being five months pregnant, it was only natural that I moved a bit slower.
Alex was sitting right next to me.
He was my husband.
He didn't even glance at Lily.
He was looking at me.
There was reproach in his eyes.
Alex lowered his voice and said, "Pick it up, now.
"Don't spoil everyone's dinner.
"It's just a little thing, don't make a scene."
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone at the table heard him.
Everyone at the table could hear him.
Some people looked at me with sympathy, while others were there for the show.
The baby inside me gave a little kick.
Then, nothing.
I felt all the blood drain from my body.
I stared at Alex, my heart sinking.
He carefully picked up some food and placed it on Lily's plate, making sure everyone could see.
"Lily, eat up. You've been working overtime lately," he said.
Lily let out an even louder laugh, clearly enjoying the attention.
She flashed him a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Carter."
Lily gave me a smug, challenging look.
I just smiled back, unfazed.
I rose from her seat, taking my time.
Alex frowned.
"What are you up to now?" he asked. "Claire, I'm warning you. Don't make a scene here."
I ignored him.
I walked calmly to the podium in the middle of the banquet hall.
The host stood there, stunned.
I took the microphone from his hand.
All eyes were on me.
I cleared my throat.
"Hey everyone," I said. "Sorry for the interruption.
"Just a quick intro.
"I'm Claire Sutton, the chief representative of Skybridge Capital, the one who brought in a 7 billion dollar investment for your company."
I enunciated each word, letting it sink in.
The whole room went dead silent.
One could hear a pin drop.
Alex's face drained of all color.
Lily's smile froze on her face.
I went on, "I hereby announce.
"Mr. Alex Carter's serious misconduct.
"His behavior has made us question his professionalism and the future of this company.
"So, here's what we're doing.
"Starting right now, we're pulling out every last dollar."
I set the microphone down.
The mic landed with a sharp, echoing thud.
The banquet hall exploded into chaos.
Alex looked like he'd been struck by lightning.
He rushed over, trying to grab my hand.
"Claire! Are you out of your mind?" he shouted. "Do you even know what you're saying?"
I stepped back, dodging his hand.
I pulled my hand away from him.
I locked eyes with him.
"I'm more clear-headed than ever," I said. "Alex, this game is over."
I turned on my heel and walked away.
Behind me, chairs and tables crashed to the floor.
The crowd erupted in shocked cries.
Alex was freaking out, yelling like a madman.
I didn't even look back.
My driver, Sam Walker, was already waiting for me at the entrance of the banquet hall.
He opened the car door for me.
I slid into the seat.
The car pulled away from the hotel smoothly.
The neon lights outside flickered past the window.
I placed my hand gently on my stomach.
The baby was still completely still.
My heart felt like there was a gaping hole in it.
My phone was blowing up.
It was Alex.
I turned my phone off.
At last, the world was quiet.
Sam glanced at me in the rearview mirror.
"Mrs. Sutton, are we heading home?" he asked.
"No," I replied. "Take me to the apartment by the river."
That was my place before I got married.
After we tied the knot, I moved in with Alex so it'd be more convenient for his work.
Sam didn't ask any more questions.
"Got it," he replied.
Silence filled the car.
I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes.
All I could see in my mind were the scenes that had just played out—Alex's scolding, Lily's provocation, the way everyone was just watching, waiting for drama.
Alex and I had been married for three years.
I thought we were in love.
I thought he was busy with work, under a lot of pressure.
I pulled every string my family had to help him.
His company went from a small workshop with a few dozen people to being ready to go public today.
Behind all that was my family's hard cash and real support.
My father personally guided him every step of the way.
This 7 billion dollars was the last round of funding.
It was the final piece to get his company listed.
I signed the stock agreement and the authorization letter, then left them on his desk.
I told him this was the greatest gift I could give our baby.
And what did he say to that?
He pulled me into his arms and said I was the best thing that ever happened to him.
Now that I think about it, it was nothing but a joke.
The car pulled up in front of the apartment building.
Sam opened the door for me.
"Mrs. Sutton, let me walk you up," he offered.
"No need, Sam," I replied. "I want to be alone."
I stepped out of the car and walked into the elevator.
The apartment hadn't been lived in for ages.
But the cleaner still came by every week.
It was spotless.
I turned on the lights.
The apartment was so empty, all I could hear was my own breathing.
I made my way to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
I stared out at the river, lost in thought.
I turned my phone back on.
My phone blew up with missed calls and texts.
Most of them were from Alex.
The latest ones were from Sherlyn, Alex's mom. [Claire, get your ass back here right now.]
[Are you trying to ruin Alex?]
[That baby in your belly is a Carter! Don't you forget it.]
I stared at the messages and scoffed coldly.
I deleted them all.
Next, I called my lawyer.
"Wyatt," I said. "It's me, Claire Sutton. Get me a divorce agreement.
"Yeah, make sure he gets nothing in the settlement.
"And about the villa I'm living in now; it's mine. Make sure he's out by tomorrow, and takes all his crap with him.
"Also, any shares in his company that my family or my dad are holding; —start reclaiming them immediately."
Wyatt Leighton's voice was calm and steady on the other end.
"Got it, Ms. Sutton. I'll handle it right away," he replied.
I hung up.
I felt completely drained and slumped onto the couch.
Finally, the baby gave a gentle kick inside me.
I couldn't hold back my tears; they fell, one after another.
The next morning, I was woken up by the doorbell.
I didn't move.
The doorbell kept ringing, stubborn and relentless.