CHAPTER 1: TO THE GUTTER

Penelope's Pov

Running a company sounded exciting in theory, but the reality crushed me.

I had taken over Tyler’s second company only a few months ago, and I already felt like I was drowning. I did not understand how Tyler handled two companies worth millions without losing his mind, while I struggled with just one.

Still, there were some good moments. Traveling for work gave me a break from seeing the same walls every day. I had just closed a big deal in Seattle and booked the next flight back to Paris. All I wanted was to fall asleep in Tyler’s arms and maybe have lunch with Bianca, who I had not seen in months.

At the airport, Tyler’s driver came to pick me up. His jaw was tight, and his hands gripped the wheel hard. I noticed but thought he had just had a rough day.

When we reached the mansion, my mood lifted. A week away felt like forever. Bailey, one of the housekeepers, rushed to take my bags. But something felt wrong. The gates were wide open, expensive cars filled the driveway, and soft music floated out from inside.

I frowned. Tyler had not told me about any gathering.

Inside, the noise hit me right away. The living room was full of people—relatives, business partners, socialites—all dressed for something important. I walked further in, feeling eyes follow me.

Then, a voice came from the speakers.

“Everyone, a toast to the future Mr. and Mrs. Black—Tyler Black and Bianca Night!”

The room erupted in applause. My father-in-law stood nearby, smiling proudly.

My heart sank. I turned slowly and saw Tyler in the middle of the room with his arm around Bianca’s waist. She leaned into him, smiling like she had just won.

I froze. My stomach twisted.

“Finally, a real match,” someone whispered. I turned my head and saw Mrs. Salvator sipping wine with her daughter.

“The old wife was just a leech,” the younger woman said with a smirk.

I walked forward, ignoring the claps and fake smiles, until I stood in front of Tyler and Bianca. Tyler tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned in to kiss her.

“Tyler,” I said sharply.

The room went quiet. Tyler turned to me with a tight jaw and a cold smile.

“What is this?” I asked.

“It’s simple, Penelope. We’re engaged.”

My chest burned as I stepped closer. “You’re already married.”

“Not for long,” he said with a smug tone.

My fists tightened. “Explain.”

He shrugged and looked at his assistant. “David. Did you deliver the documents? David fidgeted nervously. “N-no, sir. I didn’t get the chance.”

Tyler’s smile dropped. His tone hardened. “Then go and get them. She can sign them right now.”

Before I could speak, Bianca chimed in, her tone full of mock concern. “You should be happy, Penelope. This frees you from pretending to be something you’re not. Like a mother.”

My head snapped toward her. “What?”

Bianca smirked. “Let’s not pretend. Everyone knows you can’t have children.”

My throat tightened, but I forced my head high. “Say that again.”

Bianca tilted her head, her honey-brown eyes sharp as daggers dipped in venom. A smug grin tugged at her lips.

“Tell me something, won’t you?” she said sweetly, her voice dripping mockery. “What title suits a woman who warms a man’s bed for five years and still has no child to show for it?”

Her words slithered through the air, aimed to scar.

“Empty womb!” her sister and Tyler’s mother chimed together, their cruel voices slicing through me like cold steel.

I shut my eyes, wishing for a miracle, wishing to blink and wake up from this nightmare. But wishes meant nothing in a house built on betrayal. Tyler’s mother had always seen me as a burden, an unworthy outsider.

And Tyler… oh, Tyler… his silence felt like a blade twisting in my ribs.

“Tyler… don’t do this,” I whispered, my voice barely holding together. “Don’t shatter everything we built… not for her… please… we can fix this. Just talk to me.”

Tyler scoffed, his laugh as hollow as a winter breeze. His hands sank into his pockets, his posture cold and distant.

“Talk? About what? How you clung to me knowing you would never give me an heir?” His words cracked against me like thunder.

I staggered back, breath stolen from my lungs. “That’s a lie!” I cried, my voice breaking. “We stood together before the healers! You read the same scrolls—they told us to wait, that our time would come.”

“Spare me your fairy tales,” Tyler snapped. His voice sounded sharp and cold. His eyes looked like ice, full of hate as he glared at me. “You trapped me with your lies and fake promises. You made me believe something that was never real. Bianca opened my eyes… she showed me the truth. She carries my child now.”

I felt like I could not breathe. The floor under me felt like it broke apart. My lips shook, my hands trembled. My chest felt tight like someone squeezed my heart. “She… she carries your child?” I asked in a soft, broken voice.

He stayed quiet. He didn’t need to say anything. His silence felt louder than any words. His face stayed hard like stone, cold and cruel.

My legs felt weak, and my knees almost gave up. My body turned numb, too heavy to hold up. Betrayal now had a name, and it wore my friend’s smile. It cut deep into my heart while pretending to care. It crushed my life without guilt.

Then Tyler’s voice rang out again, harsh and strong. “Daniel!”

Daniel rushed inside like a dog. He kept his head low and didn’t look at me, standing still like a servant.

“Take her out,” Tyler ordered, his tone cold like I never mattered. “Send her back to the gutter where she belongs.”