Rianne’s POV
Chapter 30
I just stared at Nigel, letting him kneel on the floor.”
Probably seeing me not moved by her son’s surprise, Merida leaned close and muttered sharply in my ear.
“Come on. So what if he got another woman pregnant? Nigel already apologized. What more do you want?” She scoffed in impatience. “Dear, a woman needs to know when to stop pushing.“>
I gave a bitter smile. I was about to say that I didn’t want anything–just a divorce–when Nigel noticed something.”
His gaze dropped to my bare hand.
“Honey, your ring… Where’s your ring? Did you forget it?” His worry was replaced with a gentle smile, like that could smooth everything over. “It’s fine. I actually bought you a new one.”
He started checking his pockets.
Moments later, a sweet feminine voice called out behind us. “Here.“>
I turned. Nigel was already walking past me toward her.”
He gently steadied her by the waist when he asked, “What are you doing here? Didn’t the doctor say you needed bed rest?“}
She gave him a sweet smile. “I saw the ring by the bed and figured you’d need it today, so I brought it over.“>
Before Nigel could take the ring, her face shifted, looking uncomfortable. “I’m a little thirsty, Nigel. Can you get me some water?”
Just like that, he nodded.
While he rushed to find the server, the young woman walked up to me, her expression polite but pointed.}]
“Hi. I’m Luella. Luella Myers.”
Seeing me not smiling at her, she opened the small box right in front of me.}
Inside was a ring–identical… to the one she was wearing.
‘What a coincidence, huh?‘
“Nigel had this custom–made for your seventh anniversary,” she said, holding it out.”
But I kept my hands steady at my sides, just taking a look.
The next second, the ring slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a soft clink. Then, without hesitation, she knelt–visibly pregnant- right in front of me.
“I’m sorry, Rianne,” she said, choking up. “It was my fault! I shouldn’t have slept with Nigel when I was drunk… I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
“I don’t want anything from you,” she added. “I just want to have this baby. If… if it helps, I’m even willing to let you adopt him.”}]
Tears filled her eyes like she’d been wronged more than anyone in the world, and Nigel returned just in time to see the whole thing. Suddenly, the glass of water in his hand slipped and shattered on the floor.]
He rushed over, gently helping Luella up. When he turned to me, his face had a coldness that I had never seen before
“She’s about to give birth, Rianne! Don’t you get that?!” he snapped. “If you’re angry, take it out on me! Why are you picking on her?” The
way he looked at her protective, gentle–it said everything.”
Even though I’d done nothing, I’d already been cast as the villain.}
What was the point of explaining?}
As I turned to leave, Merida rushed up and actually slapped me across the face.“]
“You bitch! I thought you were decent! Turns out you’re heartless–making a pregnant woman kneel like that?” She scoffed. “I swear, if anything happens to that baby, I’ll never forgive you!“}]
I stumbled back from the force of her slap–right into the massive tower of red wine glasses behind me.
In an instant, the whole thing crashed down. Shards of glass rained over me, cutting into my skin as I hit the floor.
Nigel froze, instinctively stepping toward me.
But just then, Luella clutched her belly and cried out.
“Ahhh–my stomach! Nigel, the baby! Help!“}
His body tensed. He turned back, scooped her into his arms, and rushed out the door without even glancing back at me.
Tlay there on the floor, blood seeping around me, glass digging into my skin. From where I was, I could see the giant screen playing our
wedding photo.
I remembered what he once said to me. me.
“Rianne, I have to marry you. And if I ever make you cry or bleed after we’re married… I’ll pay for it with my life.”
But now, at thirty, even as I lay there bleeding and in tears, he didn’t care.”
‘What a joke…
After a long while, I pushed myself up, wincing at every movement. I limped out, hailed a cab, and went straight to the hospital.
