DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

Veronica’s POV

“Do I know you?” I asked the stranger who sat across from me on the bed.

“My name is Adrian… We went to high school together.”

“I… don’t remember you,” I told him truthfully.

“I didn’t expect you to, but I could never forget you.” I looked at him, more confused than ever. He let out a sigh, rubbing his face. “When I was in high school, I was terribly bullied, but… you were the only one who ever stood up for me.”

A memory surfaced a boy being tossed around by Caleb and his friends, his clothes torn to shreds.

“So you’re a doctor now. Everything worked out,” I said with a small smile. At least life had worked out for one of us.

“I own the hospital and some other businesses.”

“That’s not possible. The owner of Moretti Hospital is Caleb’s rival, who has been dominating the business scene.” I shook my head.

“My birth parents found me after senior year. Everything changed,” he said with a small smile.

I simply nodded, trying to comprehend everything he had just said.

“Listen, Veronica. I’ve looked at your hospital files, and I can help you.”

“What?”

“There’s a trial treatment for PODS, and with my connections, I can get you in.”

“How?” I whispered, looking away as a single tear escaped. He leaned forward and brushed it away.

“Marry me.” His voice fanned against my skin. “Together, we’ll bring down Caleb’s empire and expose him for the monster he is, and you’ll get to live a long, healthy life.”

I thought about everything Caleb had ever done to me. I could manage the insults, but not only had he cheated on me with my twin sister he had also turned my daughter against me.

“Okay,” I said as I clenched my fists.

“Are you sure?” Adrian asked, as if he wasn’t certain he’d heard right. “There’s no going back once we start.”

“Caleb is a monster, and I’ll make him pay for everything he took from me and more.”

“Good. My lawyers will draft up a divorce agreement. You’ll get a proper settlement.”

“No.”

“No?”

“I don’t want anything from Caleb. I just want to be done with him.”

“I understand.”

“I I also need someone who can fake my death.” Before he could ask any questions, I stopped him. “Veronica Stanton was an unfortunate ballerina and a miserable housewife. I don’t want to associate with that anymore.”

“I’ll get right on it.”

With that, he left the room.

A week later

I returned to the Stanton estate. As I headed inside, the butler stopped me.

“Mrs. Stanton.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“What, I can’t enter my own home anymore?”

“It’s not that, it’s just…” He didn’t finish, looking uncomfortable.

I heard giggles coming from upstairs. My eyes narrowed, already knowing who those voices belonged to.

“Move, Richard.” This time, he didn’t stop me.

I walked into the master bedroom I had shared with Caleb. Ava and Avery were playing dressup with my clothes. I watched them for a full minute before either of them noticed me.

Avery twirled in one of my shirts, then froze when she saw me.

“What are you doing back here?” she huffed as she crossed her arms.

Ava looked at me and smirked. She bent down and ruffled Avery’s hair.

“A, don’t be rude to your mum. You’re hurting her feelings.”

“I don’t care if I’m hurting her feelings. She’s not my mum,” Avery huffed, rolling her eyes at me.

My chest tightened, but I forced my face to remain blank.

Ava walked toward me with a small smile on her lips. She grabbed my arm at the exact spot she had stabbed a week ago and pressed hard.

“Veronica, don’t take what she says to heart. She’s just a kid.”

“What are you doing in my room?” I gritted out, fighting back a cry.

Avery ran up and shoved me away from Ava. I staggered back.

“Mommy, don’t touch her, or you’ll give her whatever disease you got from the hospital.”

I stared at my child in disbelief. No matter the lies and poison Ava and Caleb had fed her, how could she have the heart to treat her own mother this way?

“Avery,” I gasped.

Ava suddenly looked past me and grabbed Avery protectively.

“Veronica, we’re sorry. We shouldn’t have been playing in your room or with your clothes,” she said, trembling.

I frowned in confusion. That was when I felt a rough shove. I caught myself against the wall and turned to meet Caleb’s furious eyes. He pulled Ava and Avery protectively into his arms.

“You just came back, and you’re already looking for trouble.”

“I’m not looking for trouble. I just asked why she was in my bedroom.”

“This is my house. Ava can go anywhere she wants. She doesn’t need your permission.”

“Yeah, no one wants you here, so just leave,” Avery added as Caleb smirked.

“Veronica, Caleb allowed me to stay because of my baby, but if you don’t want me here, I’ll just go,” Ava said, fake tears spilling down her cheeks.

“Ava, don’t let her bully you. I let you stay here. She has no right to tell you to leave, okay?”

I laughed bitterly.

“You’re not even trying to hide it anymore.” I locked eyes with Caleb.

“Hide what?” he asked, squaring his shoulders.

“You keep my sister as your mistress in our matrimonial home and pretend to be on some moral high ground.”

“Veronica, I would never steal your husband,” Ava said in a heartbroken tone.

“Ava, you don’t need to prove anything to her. She can stay delusional for all I care.”

He pulled Ava close and walked out of the room with Avery in tow.

At the door, Avery stopped and looked back at me.

“She’s a better match with Daddy anyway.”