Chapter 3

The morning sun was blinding.

When Cormac came out of the guest room, he seemed to have forgotten last night’s fight. Maybe he was thinking about the three “bargaining chips” in my belly that would secure Bianca’s stardom, because he made a rare effort to be gentle.

He sat down at the dining table and placed his hand on my stomach.

“Baby, I was out of line last night,” he said, looking into my eyes. “Have the babies been kicking today? Did you feel anything?”

I looked down, swallowing the bitterness in my throat. “It’s too early. Not yet.”

“When they’re born, I’m going to build the biggest playground for them at the estate,” he said, his eyes glowing with a fanatical excitement. “I’ll give them the best of everything in the world.”

Listening to his grand plans, I felt nothing.

I knew that in his perfect future, there was no place for me.

At ten a.m., the doorbell rang.

Bianca stood outside, holding several designer shopping bags, a sweet smile on her face.

“I heard Victoria was upset last night, so I came to apologize in person,” she said, winking at Cormac.

Cormac was pleased by her thoughtfulness. He patted her head. “You two talk. I’ll be in my office.”

The second the office door closed, the innocent look on Bianca’s face vanished.

She plopped down on my sofa and looked down at me.

“You’re so pathetic, Victoria,” she sneered, her eyes full of mockery. “Can’t even keep your own man. You think getting pregnant means you’ve won? You’re just a useless incubator.”

I held my water glass, watching her pathetic little show.

“At least I don’t have to act like a thief in the shadows, begging for scraps from someone else’s boyfriend,” I said with a smirk. “It’s disgusting how proud you are of being the other woman.”

“You—!” Bianca’s face twisted in rage as she shot to her feet.

Just then, the handle on the office door began to turn.

A cruel idea sparked in her eyes.

She suddenly picked up the glass of hot milk on the table and held it out to me.

“Victoria, have some milk, it’ll calm you down…”

Before she finished, she twisted her wrist and poured the entire glass of scalding milk onto her own arm.

“AHHH!”

Bianca let out a blood-curdling scream as the glass shattered on the floor.

“Victoria, why would you do this to me? I was just trying to be nice…” she sobbed, collapsing next to the broken glass.

The office door flew open.

Cormac rushed out, his eyes widening in fury at the scene.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

He stormed over and, without a second thought, raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face.

CRACK!

The force sent me stumbling to the floor, the taste of blood filling my mouth.

I held my swollen cheek, staring in disbelief at the man I had loved for years.

“You’re a vicious bitch!” Cormac roared, his eyes burning with a hatred I’d never seen before.

Bianca shrank into his arms, crying hysterically. “Cormac, it hurts so much… I have a shoot soon, what if my arm scars?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take you to a doctor.”

Cormac swept her up into his arms and rushed for the door, not even sparing a glance for me, lying in a pile of broken glass.

As the door shut, Bianca, draped over his shoulder, looked back and gave me a smug, triumphant smile.

I pushed myself up from the cold floor, my heart too numb to feel the pain from the glass cutting into my knees.

I cleaned my own wounds, went to my room, and started packing.

I threw all the gifts Cormac had ever given me into the trash. I didn't want any of it.

Cormac didn’t come back that night.

I saw a picture of him on Bianca’s social media. He was sitting by her hospital bed, peeling an apple for her, his sharp features softened with tenderness.

The caption read: “I know you’ll always take care of me.”

I glanced at it once and moved on.

The next day, Rita called.

“Victoria, I’ll see you at the airport tomorrow. Don’t be late for the press conference.”

“I know,” I said softly. “But for now, let’s keep my casting as the lead under wraps.”

“Got it. I understand. See you tomorrow.”

Just then, Cormac walked back in. “What lead actress?” he asked, opening the door.