Chapter 8
If Steven and Peggy were just faking it, the docs would catch on fast. If they were actually insane, they’d get treatment–and once their heads cleared, the torment would start again. The only way they’d really feel pain was if they were fully awake for all of it. Otherwise? Too easy.
Two weeks later, I checked out the basement.
It was dark, damp–disgusting, really. Not fit for anyone to live
- in.
When I saw them in that cage, I barely recognized them. Filthy skin, clothes torn to shreds–they looked like strays that’d been dragged off the street.
Peggy spotted me first.
She lunged at the bars like a rabid dog. If she wasn’t locked up, she probably would’ve gone for my throat.
I smiled. “How does it feel? Regret anything yet?”
She shot daggers at me. “Why’s your life so perfect, Cecilia? You ditched Steven and bagged Xander Zane?”
“Because I never betrayed anyone,” I said. “But don’t get it twisted. I’m not here to forgive. You killed my baby. You’re gonna pay.”
I turned to leave.
20 min left
“Cecilia!” she screamed. “Remember what you asked me at the hospital? Why I did it?”
She didn’t wait for an answer.
“It was jealousy. You were born rich. Then we both met Steven and he picked you. He shut me down like I was nothing.
“After your wedding, I went after him. Didn’t take much. We slept together. But he kept it from you–he still didn’t wanna lose you.
“Even living with me overseas, he couldn’t let you go. Said he wanted to come back to you. I snapped. I needed to see you break. I wanted everything you had to burn.”
I stared at her.
The jealousy had always been there. I’d just been too stupid to see it.
“You’re the only loser here,” I said. “You’ll spend the rest of your life paying for what you did.”
She lost it, screaming and shaking the bars like a lunatic. But no matter how hard she thrashed, she wasn’t getting out.
Steven stirred nearby. When he saw me, he lit up.
“Cecilia, you’re here to get me out?”
I let out a cold laugh. “Not a chance.”
He broke down, sobbing. “I’m sorry. I messed up.”
20 min left
Then, out of nowhere, he turned on Peggy and started beating her.
“You ruined me! If it weren’t for you, I’d still have Cecilia! I wouldn’t be stuck here! You should’ve died instead!”
Peggy tried to fight back, but she was too weak. He beat her to death right there.
I just frowned.
Xander showed up, took my hand, and walked me out.
Later, the guards told us Steven bit off his own tongue. Suicide.
I didn’t feel anything.
They got what they deserved.
***
Our wedding banquet? Insane. The whole city went nuts.
After that, Xander whisked me off for a six–month honeymoon
overseas.
A year later, I started puking nonstop one night. Xander panicked and rushed me to the hospital.
The doctor told us I was pregnant.
We were both stunned. I’d given up hope. With everything I’d been through, getting pregnant felt impossible. We hadn’t used protection, but I never thought it’d happen.
This baby felt like a gift from the God.
While I was pregnant, Xander didn’t leave my side. No work, no meetings–just us. Any time we went out, he came with bodyguards and made sure no one got too close.
I laughed through tears half the time, but deep down, I got it. He just couldn’t risk losing me again.
When it was time to give birth, he was a total wreck.
Two hours later, I had a baby girl.
Xander cried–but he didn’t look at her. His eyes were only on
- me.
He kissed me. “You did amazing.”
The nurses couldn’t stop saying I married the right guy.
Yeah, it hurt. A lot. But seeing my daughter’s tiny face? Worth every second.
Meeting Xander was the best thing that ever happened to me.
