CHAPTER 5

Elena's POV

Raven didn't even bother to let me respond before he turned around and stormed out of the room, leaving me completely alone to wonder how on earth a man could change so drastically overnight. It was completely clear that he was finished with me, even though I hadn't done a single thing wrong.

For the second time that afternoon, I began sobbing uncontrollably into my hands. I couldn't comprehend the absolute tragedy of my life. How could I find out I was finally pregnant on the exact same day I signed my marriage away? Was the universe playing a cruel joke on me?

When the doctor walked back into the room a while later, I was forced to quickly wipe away my tears.

The doctor looked at me with deep sympathy, but she didn't pry into my personal situation. After monitoring me and letting me know that everything was physically fine and that I just needed to avoid stress, I was officially discharged a few hours later.

I let out a bitter, hollow laugh. I was being allowed to leave the hospital, yet there was absolutely no one there to take me home. I wasn't even sure where home was supposed to be anymore.

I knew Raven had strictly forbidden me from returning to the mansion, but I couldn't stop myself. I held the official medical papers proving my pregnancy. Maybe if I showed him the physical proof, I could finally get through to him.

With that desperate thought in mind, I hailed a taxi and rode back to the grand estate I had called home for the past four years.

I knocked loudly on the heavy security gate since it was completely locked, and one of our security guards slowly opened it. He winced the moment his eyes landed on me. “I am so sorry, ma'am, but the boss gave strict orders that you are no longer permitted on the property.”

He began to pull the heavy gate closed, but I quickly shoved my hand through the opening to stop him. “I just need to grab something from inside,” I lied, fighting back fresh tears of intense humiliation. “I won't be long at all, I promise.”

“I could lose my entire livelihood over this, ma'am. I really can't let you in.”

“Please, I give you my word I will be out in a second. Please just let me through the gate. Just for one moment. I accidentally left something incredibly vital inside.” I never in my life imagined a day would come where I would be forced to beg a servant in my own husband's house just to step inside the yard. It was deeply humiliating, and I knew the pain of this moment would stay with me forever.

He hesitated for a brief second, and I knew I had successfully cracked his resolve. “Only for a single minute, ma'am.”

I nodded quickly, and he opened the gate just wide enough for me to slip through. I took a good look at his face, memorizing his features because I owed him a massive favor. Now, I just had to get Raven face-to-face. Deep down, I still believed he was a good man. That was why, despite his awful mother , I had been able to build a peaceful life with him.

I took a few calming breaths and walked up the long driveway. I tried to twist the front doorknob, but it was completely locked. I didn't have a single one of my belongings with me since I had been rushed to the hospital after fainting, I didn't even have my purse or my keys. Even the cash I used to pay the taxi driver had been given to me by the kind doctor.

I pressed the doorbell once, then twice. Before I could press it a third time, the front door swung open to reveal the exact woman who thought it was perfectly fine to destroy a marriage.

Tracy looked me up and down, her eyes overflowing with absolute disdain. “What exactly do you think you're doing here?”

I wanted to scream the exact same question right back at her, but I knew her answer would only break my heart further. “Is Raven inside?” I asked instead, keeping my voice steady.

Her perfectly shaped eyebrows arched up. “Yes, he is, and no, he has absolutely no desire to look at your face. So turn around and get off this property before I call the security team to physically throw you out into the street.”

I knit my brows together in confusion. What had I ever done to this woman for her to harbor so much hatred toward me? I was the one who should hate her, wasn't I? “I just need a quick word with Raven. Tell him I am standing out here.”

“He already knows you're out here, and he doesn't want to see you. So leave right now before I cause a massive scene.”

I shook my head, completely unable to believe how cruel she was being. Wanting to see the truth for myself, I attempted to step right past her to walk into the foyer, but she grabbed my arm and violently yanked me back. “My son is upstairs sleeping, you bitch. I will not allow anything to wake him up, especially not you. So before I completely lose my temper, disappear.”

“This happens to be my husband's house!” I yelled at her face.

“Not anymore he isn't. Right now, you look incredibly desperate. You obviously weren't woman enough to keep him, which is why he dumped your pathetic ass. You're so utterly useless you couldn't even perform the one basic task women are built to do,” she spat out venomously, casting a nasty look down at my stomach.

“I am pregnant! I am not lying to anyone! Please, just let me talk to Raven for one minute.” I had to completely resort to begging because it was obvious she had absolutely no intention of letting me inside. It hadn't even been twenty-four hours since I put my signature on those divorce papers, yet another woman had completely taken over my home.

How did my entire life turn upside down so incredibly fast?

“Listen to me carefully, you bitch.” Her grip on my forearm tightened painfully, her sharp acrylic nails digging deep into my skin. “Raven is no longer your husband. He is the father of my child, and I will absolutely not tolerate you trying to stir up drama in my home. So get the fuck out of here before I decide to get rid of you permanently.”

“My cell phone and my wallet are still inside the bedroom. Can I at least step inside to retrieve my property?” I was grasping at straws now. I just wanted an excuse to get into the house and find Raven. I felt an overwhelming urge to physically fight her, but I remembered I was pregnant. I couldn't risk harming my baby like that.

Unfortunately, she had absolutely no reservations about harming me. She gave me a violent shove backward, humming with smug satisfaction as my body fell hard onto the concrete driveway.

Before I could even scramble to my feet, she slammed the heavy oak door shut and turned the lock.

I pounded my fists against the hard wood several times, and when the door finally clicked open again, my phone and my leather wallet were thrown directly at my face. I winced in pain, rubbing the sharp spot where they struck my cheek, certain it would leave a dark bruise.

“Don't you ever show your pathetic face around here again, or you will deeply regret it,” Tracy warned me sharply. “Guards!”