Chapter 4

By my seventh month of pregnancy, I had a regular seat at Vale Hospitality's operations meetings.

Adrian showed up less and less.

By contrast, Sienna was becoming involved in more and more Vale projects.

She became the face of the group's new seasonal arts partnership.

It never went through a full brand review.

When Marketing first objected, Adrian said offhandedly, "Sienna's worth it."

Nobody said anything after that.

Soon she had her eye on the new Vale resort in Miami. She wanted to premiere her dance documentary there.

The venue had already been booked by a jewelry brand.

Sienna didn't like that.

So Adrian had the contract rewritten.

The brand ended a two-year partnership the same day.

When the news reached the conference room, everyone exchanged long looks, but no one dared look at me.

I closed my folder.

"Have legal calculate the breach-of-contract damages. I'll handle the brand."

By then, this was normal.

Adrian's job was to keep Sienna happy. Mine was to keep the bill down.

Over the next three months, I attended more and more of the meetings that actually mattered.

Adrian's father even started sending me documents that had previously gone only to family members.

Sienna had clearly noticed.

Her messages shifted from boastful to subtly hostile.

[You're pregnant. Why are you still at the office every day?]

[Adrian says he likes women who have their own lives.]

I didn't bother answering.

A week later, my private prenatal records appeared online.

How far along I was. The clinic's address. Even the exact time of my next appointment, listed right there.

The account that posted it added a line.

[Will the next Vale heir outlast the marriage that made him?]

Margaret hit the roof and demanded that the family lawyers investigate immediately.

They quickly traced the leak back to Sienna's personal assistant.

For once, Adrian got into a fight with his parents over it.

"She sent a photo to a friend. She had no idea it would get out."

That afternoon, I went to the hospital for my usual appointment.

The car had barely stopped before dozens of reporters closed in.

My security team held the crowd back, but camera flashes went off in my face.

Somebody slammed into my shoulder.

My foot slipped, and my stomach seized.

A second later, something warm ran down my leg.

My bodyguard's face changed.

"Mrs. Vale!"

By the time they wheeled me into the ER, Adrian had rushed to the hospital, kiss marks all over his neck.

Sienna was right behind him.

Her eyes were red.

"Elena, I honestly had no idea this would happen..."

Margaret raised a hand and ordered her out.

Adrian stepped in front of her.

"That's enough! She's already apologized."

I lay there on the bed and watched him shield her without even thinking about it.

The doctor came running in.

"You're thirty-four weeks along, and the fetal heart rate is abnormal. We need to operate now."

Adrian's father rarely showed emotion, but even his composure slipped. "After today, that woman is out of your life," he said sternly.

Adrian was quiet for a few seconds. Then he took Sienna's hand.

"I'm not leaving her."

Margaret froze.

"Is this a joke to you? Your wife is in there right now having your child."

"I know."

He glanced toward the room.

"Once the baby is safely delivered, I'm divorcing Elena.

"The child still carries the Vale name.

"You get the heir you wanted."

He tightened his grip on her hand and moved her behind him.

"But who I'm with is my decision."

The anesthesia started working, and I closed my eyes.

Half an hour later.

A clear, high cry rang through the operating room.

A nurse brought the tiny baby over to me.

I looked at his wrinkled face and finally unclenched my hand.

Good. The child was here.

As for Adrian...

A slow, confident smile spread across my pale face.

His good days were over.