Since the last wave of news broke, Curtis Enterprise has taken a devastating hit. The evidence was irrefutable–there was no room for denial or damage control. Every partner pulled out. The company was drowning in debt, and the largest compensation was owed to none other than the Hooper Group.
The stock price plummeted day after day. Watching it all collapse, I couldn’t help but laugh. Just as I expected, Cliff called me.
He asked to meet in person. I agreed.}
He chose a high–end restaurant, of course. I arrived that evening to find he was already seated, the table filled with all my favorite dishes.
“Vivian, you’re here. I ordered everything you like,” he said, rising to take my bag with the same polished gentleness I once loved.
I had assumed this was a business meeting–an attempt to negotiate damages. But the candlelit ambiance, the romantic decor, the soft music… It was clear Cliff had something else in mind. The restaurant felt familiar.
“This is where we had our first date,” he said, confirming my suspicion. “Let’s try it again, see if the food still tastes the same.”
He smiled as he placed a few dishes on my plate. I didn’t touch them.”
After a pause, I said calmly, “Of course I remember. You left that night after ordering, remember? You got a phone call and disappeared. If I recall, it was Ginger you rushed off to see.“}
He stiffened
Then he asked, more cautiously now, “Have you seen the news? Was it… you?“}
I said nothing. His silence confirmed he already suspected it. Guilt flickered in his eyes.>>
“Vivian, I know everything now. I never imagined Ginger would go so far. I’m furious with her. That’s why I came today–to sincerely apologize.”
He leaned forward, voice shaking. “I also know you miscarried in the psychiatric hospital. That’s on me. If I’d known you were
pregnant… I would never have let that happen.”}]
“Let’s start over,” he pleaded. “We can have more children. I’ll give you whatever you want. I’ll make it up to you.”/
His eyes glistened with tears. I looked at him–this man I once thought I’d spend my life with–and saw only hypocrisy. I cut him off coldly.
“No need. A man who can kill his own child doesn’t need to pretend to grieve for mine.“}
His face froze. He was stunned that I knew. Stunned that I had pieced it all together.
I pulled out a folder and placed it before him.”
“This is the share agreement my parents signed to support your company. Now that the truth is out, it’s time for you to pay it back.”
He hesitated, refusing to take it.
Those shares had fueled Cliff’s rise. Signing this agreement meant the end. Bankruptcy.
“Let’s forget the past,” he begged, grabbing my hand. “We can move forward together–start fresh.”¶
I leaned in, lowering rny voice. “If you don’t sign it, I have other ways to make you. And I promise you, bankruptcy will be the kindest outcome.“}
He went pale. Finally, trembling, he signed the agreement. I put the papers away and stood to leave.
Then I took off the ring on my finger–the one we had custom–made a year before our wedding. I hadn’t removed it once since. Until
now.”
“I’m leaving this behind. I don’t need it anymore.” I rubbed the faint indentation the ring had left on my skin and turned to go.”
“Wait,” he said, grabbing my wrist. “Lindsey’s been crying a lot. She misses you. For her sake, can we–just once–go back together and visit her?”
Still trying to use the child as leverage.“}
I yanked my arm away and snapped, “Do you even remember how Lindsey came to be? Stop pretending to care about children just to manipulate me.“”
After we married, everything changed. He withdrew from me emotionally and physically: In two or three years, we barely shared a bed. He only agreed to IVF after I begged, on the condition that I help him secure a critical business deal.
Thumiliated myself for his ambition. Smiled through dinners, charmed investors, begged my parents to support him–just so I could
have a child.
Finally, I conceived. It cost me blood, tears, and pain. I treasured that baby like my own life.
But Cliff still asked me to entertain clients. Even while pregnant.
Eight months along, he brought me to a private room with clients. After introducing me, he left–took a call and disappeared. I was forced to drink strong liquor while entertaining strangers, alone and vulnerable.
The baby couldn’t take it. My amniotic fluid broke on the spot. I was rushed to the hospital in a hemorrhaging panic, slipping into unconsciousness.M
3:53 PM
When Kelley gave me Ginger’s abortion report, I traced the timeline. The date of her pregnancy matched the date of my premature delivery.
While I was risking my life, losing blood, delivering our child in agony, he was in bed with her.”
And now, he dared talk to me about children.”
I stepped closer, my voice like ice. “lan told me everything. I won’t let you hurt Lindsey anymore. Send her to my parents‘ house tomorrow. If not–well, you know what I’m capable of.”
I left without looking back.”
The next day, Cliff delivered Lindsey to my parents.
There were seven days left. Everything unfolded as planned. With Cliff’s signature, my parents‘ shares returned. Curtis Enterprise, already bleeding, collapsed. I acquired it myself.
I pressed the intercom. “Kelley, come in.”
She entered with a faint smile, sensing what was coming.
“Cliff is now ours,” I said. “Cliff’s a regular employee. I’m transferring you to oversee his department.“”
I paused. “You know what to do.”
