Chapter 4

Brielle let out a delighted cheer and hooked her arm through Audrey's.

"This is perfect! With Audrey here to keep me company, I won't have to stare at your annoying face all day."

She made an excuse to get Everett out of the room.

The moment the two women were alone, her expression changed.

Brielle folded her arms and sneered.

"I looked into you, Audrey Vance. Thirty-two years old. Both your parents died in an earthquake."

Her voice turned mocking.

"You're just an orphan desperate for love. No wonder you come running like a dog the second someone throws you a scrap of affection, then cling to them for dear life. I wonder if your parents know how shameless you've become."

Her gaze dropped to Audrey's flat stomach, and her voice grew even sharper.

"Good thing you lost the baby. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. A homewrecker like you would've only had another homewrecker. She would've grown up just like her shameless mother, seducing men who were already taken."

Audrey couldn't listen to another word. She raised her hand and slapped Brielle hard across the face.

A red handprint appeared on Brielle's cheek. But Brielle smiled.

Then she covered her face and hurried out of the room.

"Everett! What did I do wrong? Why did Audrey hit me?"

Everett rushed over at once and gently cupped Brielle's face. Then he turned to Audrey with an angry look.

"Audrey, you've gone too far."

Audrey stepped out of the bedroom, her eyes red.

She had swallowed every insult and grievance for seven years because she loved him.

Everyone seemed to have forgotten that she had always been the kind of person who would rather break than bend.

Brielle shot her a taunting look.

Audrey raised her hand again.

But Everett caught her wrist before she could strike. His grip was so tight it felt as though he might crush her wrist.

"Audrey, how long are you going to keep making a scene?"

Tears spilled down Audrey's cheeks. All she could think about was the earthquake years ago, when Everett had reached out to her through the rubble.

"Don't be scared. I'm here.

"I'll protect you for the rest of my life."

Too bad promises didn't last very long. His had only been true in the moment he made them.

Audrey yanked her wrist free.

In the struggle, Brielle lost her footing. As she stumbled down the stairs, she grabbed Audrey and pulled her down with her.

Audrey's lower back slammed against the sharp edge of a step. A bolt of pain shot through her.

When she came back to her senses, she realized she couldn't move.

"Everett..." Her voice shook with pain. "I can't stand up. It hurts so much."

But the only answer she got was the sight of Everett scooping Brielle into his arms and rushing away.

The love Audrey had carried for Everett slowly died, leaving nothing but ashes behind.

At that moment, she thought she probably didn't love him anymore.

Not even a little.

Her vision went black.

When she opened her eyes again, she was still lying on the cold floor. Blood had spread around her, staining her white lounge clothes red.

Fighting through the pain in her lower back, Audrey reached for her cracked phone.

The family group chat was still open.

Diane had flooded it with more than ninety-nine photos.

Diane: [My daughter-in-law had a baby boy! The Shaw family finally has a son to carry on the family name!]

Everett hadn't replied. Instead, he'd made the only social media post he'd ever shared.

In the photo, their hands overlapped as they held the newborn's tiny hand together.

Everett: [My life is complete.]

Audrey looked at the post and quietly tapped Like.

Nothing Everett did could stir her heart anymore.

She called 911 herself and was taken to the hospital late that night.

The doctor looked stunned when he saw her injuries. "Why did you wait until it got this bad to get help? Where's your family?"

Audrey's voice was hoarse. "I don't have any family."

The doctor paused.

"You injured your lower back pretty badly. You'll need to avoid heavy lifting and take it easy while you recover. Be careful not to strain or injure your back again, or it could give you trouble later in life."

A stranger had shown her more concern than Everett ever had.

Audrey's eyes felt dry and sore. She murmured a quiet, "Mm."

"From now on, I'll love myself."

After surgery, Audrey lay in her hospital bed, silently counting down the days until she would leave.

Suddenly, the hospital room door was kicked open.

Everett stormed in with bloodshot eyes and seized her wrist.

"Audrey, where did you hide Teddy?"