Chapter 4

I was so weak that every few steps left me desperate to sit down and rest.

As I struggled toward the door, Sophie came downstairs.

She was dressed to the nines, looking fresh and radiant.

I was deathly pale, barely able to stay on my feet.

We were the same age, yet I looked decades older.

All because of the same man.

The moment Sophie saw me, she strode over with a smug look.

“What, are you still waiting around for Mr. Carter to come home and comfort you?

“He’s already left for work. If you have something to say, I might be generous enough to pass it along.”

I gave her a cold glance.

Why did even she assume I was putting on an act just to get Damian’s attention?

“What makes you think you can speak for Damian?”

She immediately looked smug.

“Of course I can. I’m his assistant and the woman he loves. Whether it’s work, romance, or sex, I can give him everything he needs. You’re nothing but an incubator.”

I regarded her calmly.

“It won’t be long before another woman comes along and replaces you too.”

Sophie doubled over laughing.

“Do you know the biggest difference between us?

“I understand that Mr. Carter will never settle for just one woman. No one gets to keep him forever.

“Only an idiot like you would dream about spending the rest of your life with him.

“Wake up. You’re ugly, your body’s a mess, and you still think you’re getting a fairy-tale ending?”

I let out a contemptuous laugh.

There was a time when someone like Sophie wouldn’t have dared speak to me this way.

I’d sacrificed so much, only to end up like this.

My laugh must have struck a nerve.

“Stop acting like you’re better than me, Vivian. You stayed with him for his money and status too.

“You’re no different from me.

“Damian is mine now. You’ve already lost.”

I gave her a mocking smile.

“Then I wish you two a long, happy life together. I hope you have a baby soon.”

Sophie opened her mouth to respond, but the front door suddenly unlocked.

Panic flashed across her face.

She grabbed my hand, and the instant the door opened, she threw herself backward.

Damian saw the whole thing.

Already weak, I lost my balance when she yanked me and fell hard to the floor.

Damian rushed over.

He stepped around me and helped Sophie up.

Tears shimmered in her eyes.

“I understand, Vivian. I’ll leave right now.”

Her acting was painfully obvious.

But Damian’s face immediately filled with concern for her and fury toward me.

“Apologize, Vivian.”

I said nothing.

I struggled to my feet, grabbed my suitcase, and headed for the door.

Damian seized my arm.

“Didn’t you hear me? Apologize! You don’t get to hurt someone and then run away. I’m so disappointed in you.”

I turned back with a cold laugh.

“She framed me, and you’re demanding that I apologize?”

His anger exploded.

He slapped me across the face.

“Enough, Vivian! Do you want this wedding or not?”

I snapped my head back around and met his gaze without flinching.

“Not anymore.”

Damian’s eyes burned red with rage.

“Who do you think you are? The only reason I’ve put up with you for this long is because you’re carrying my child.

“But if you keep using the baby to threaten me, you’ll regret it.”

I laughed as tears streamed down my face.

Of course.

The baby was the only reason he felt so confident that I would never leave.

My laughter unsettled him.

The panic in his eyes lasted only a moment before his expression softened. He stepped toward me, ready to say something, but I cut him off.

“Don’t bother, Damian. The baby’s gone. You don’t have to put up with me anymore.”