Bleeding Out While He Chose His Vow to His Ex-Wife

Three days after the surgery. Nighttime.

I just swallowed my painkillers. The front doors banged open.

Caspian was back early.

"Mrs. Serrano. Perfect timing as always."

Cassandra's heels clicked into the living room. She looked me up and down. Smirking.

"Look at her, Caspian. Playing the victim. Such a shame she's not in Hollywood."

"Anyway. You only spent two days with us this quarter. You owe us thirteen more."

"Cassandra." Caspian frowned.

"Don't take that tone with me." She crossed her legs. Tapped her manicured nails on the armchair. "What did you promise my father? Fifteen days a quarter. Mandatory family presence. Not a day less. Make it next Wednesday. I'm going to a private auction in Switzerland. Nora wants to pick something out."

Caspian's voice was flat. "Understood."

I glanced at the calendar on the wall.

Next Wednesday. Our fourth anniversary.

Caspian promised me an entire week. A private getaway. Just the two of us.

Guess he was breaking his word. Again.

Cassandra shot him a look. Pressing him.

Caspian sighed. He looked at me.

"Aria. Did you get the surgery done?"

First thing he said to me. His tone? Ice cold. Distant.

Once, Cassandra heard him call me 'Ari'. She lost her mind.

"Caspian, save the flirting for the bedroom! Doing it in front of my daughter? You want her to feel replaced?! What do you think our families' alliance is?!"

Since then? In front of her, I was just Aria.

But her? He still called her 'Cassie'.

I stared at this man. The man I loved for four years.

"No. I didn't. I don't need to."

I leaned back on the couch. Deadpan.

"The hemorrhage three days ago? It didn't just take our baby. It took my womb."

Caspian's massive frame froze.

His breathing hitched. Just for a second.

Cassandra's smug smile cracked.

"You can relax, Caspian." I gave a bitter smile. "Your blood oath is safe. I will never bear a child to threaten your ex-wife's throne."

Caspian stared at my pale face.

He opened his mouth. He wanted to speak.

But his eyes darted to the trash can by the coffee table.

Inside was a black box.

Inside the box? A dead pigeon. Reeking of blood.

"What is that sick shit?" Caspian's brow furrowed. His eyes turned lethal. "That's a blood warning! Who brought that into my house?!"

I looked blankly at Nora. She was hiding behind them.

"Ask your sweet daughter."

Nora nervously glanced at her mother.

Cassandra immediately pointed a finger at me. Screaming.

"Aria! Have you no shame? Pinning this on a kid?"

"Nora is six! Where would she get cartel shit like this?! Don't think I don't know what you're doing!"

She snatched my purse. Dumped everything on the table. Clatter.

She grabbed a bottle of prenatal vitamins. Smashed it at my feet.

She turned to Caspian.

"Is this your obedient little wife?! Look at this! Popping vitamins! Trying to get pregnant!"

Cassandra pointed at my face. Her features twisted with jealousy and rage.

"She wants a son to steal Nora's birthright! Miscarriage? Surgery? It's all an act! This plotting bitch! She killed a pigeon just to frame Nora with a fake threat!"

She turned her head.

"Caspian! Don't forget your vow! You let her break the rules today? Our alliance is dead!"

Such a ridiculous claim.

Anyone with half a brain would laugh.

But did my husband defend me? No.

Facing Cassandra's psychotic rant, Caspian didn't even raise his voice.

He just raised his hand. Patted Cassandra's shoulder. A habit.

"Don't get mad." His voice was steady. Almost indulging. "Take Nora to her room."

Cassandra scoffed.

She shot me a smug glare. Grabbed Nora's hand. Stomped upstairs like she owned the place.

Dead silence in the hall.

Caspian turned around. Pinched the bridge of his nose. Exhausted.

He looked at me again. Nothing but scrutiny. Pure blame.

"You crossed the line this time, Aria. I warned you. Don't play your cheap jealousy games on Nora. Framing a six-year-old with a dead pigeon? You disappoint me."

He didn't care that I barely survived.

He only cared if his daughter felt wronged.

Caspian stepped forward. Crushed the vitamin bottle under his expensive shoe.

He leaned in. Locked eyes with me.

"Now. Explain these pills. Were you trying to get pregnant behind my back?"