Chapter Four: He chose her over me

Bella 

The question hit me so hard that for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

Before I could even process it, Damien cleared his throat and his voice carried across the entire office.

“This is Anna Sanders,” he announced. “She’ll be taking over the Vega project from now on.”

For a second, I just stood there.

Taking over the Vega project.

My project.

The one I had spent months building from nothing.

The one I had poured countless sleepless nights into.

The one I had practically lived and breathed.

Anna stepped forward with a graceful smile on her face, looking completely at ease.

“I’m excited to work with all of you,” she said softly.

As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Damien and a small smile appeared on her lips, almost as though she was thanking him for handing her everything she wanted.

Immediately, whispers spread through the office.

“Wait, wasn’t Bella in charge of the Vega project?” someone murmured under their breath.

“Yeah, she was,” another voice replied with pity slipping in. “It was actually her biggest assignment. Shame it got taken off her just like that.”

The words overlapped in fragments, circling the space in hushed tones.

My project that I had spent months building was handed over without my permission. And this woman was standing in the place I’d always been denied.

Her soft laugh. Her flirtatious tone. The way she leaned toward him ever so slightly.

It all made my blood boil.

The moment the crowd began dispersing, I turned around and marched straight toward Damien’s office. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

“Why would you take my project away from me?” I demanded.

He looked up from what he was doing and stared at me intently. 

My voice trembled slightly.

I hated that it did.

“You didn’t even think to discuss it with me first. Do you have any idea how hard I’ve worked on that project? Do you have any idea how much time I’ve invested into it? And you gave it away just like that?” 

His expression barely changed.

“It was an impromptu decision.”

The calmness in his voice felt like a slap.

“My mother thought it would be a good opportunity for Anna. The project is nearly complete, so she can use it to gain experience.”

For a moment, I honestly thought I had misheard.

“Gain experience?”

The words came out as a bitter laugh. “You took months of my hard work and handed it to someone else so she could gain experience?”

My chest rose and fell unevenly.

“Do you even hear yourself right now?”

His jaw tightened slightly. “Bella.”

“No, answer me.”  I shook my head while my eyes burned. “Do you even still see me as your wife?”

“You are my wife,” he said. “But don’t forget that she’s my sister. Can’t you just do this for her? Besides, this company also belongs to you, so you can take on any other project you’re interested in doing. Why are you so fixated on this project?”

I felt my chest constrict as I whispered, my voice breaking. “This is your company, not mine.”

His eyes softened slightly. “We’re married. That means what’s mine is yours too.”

“Really?” I let out a short, humorless breath. “Then transfer me some of your properties right now. If everything you own belongs to both of us, then prove it..”

To my shock, he immediately opened a drawer. A few seconds later, he pulled out a folder and slid it across the desk.

“This—” His voice dropped lower. “This is a signed property transfer agreement. It was finalized weeks ago. It belongs to you and our future child.”

My fingers hesitated before touching it. The lump in my throat grew and finally, the words I had been clutching inside me threatened to spill.

“I have something to tell you. I’m— ”

A soft knock cut through the moment.

“Sister-in-law?” Anna’s voice called out while she entered the office, she sounded hesitant and sweet. “Please don’t be mad at my brother because of me. If you really don’t want me handling the project, I’ll give it back.”

I didn’t even glance at her since Damien just reassured me. 

The anger inside me had already begun fading.

So instead of responding, I simply turned and started walking toward the door.

Unfortunately, Anna followed me.

“Sister-in-law, I’m really sorry.”

Her voice echoed behind me as we walked toward the elevators.

“I don’t know why he’s always been like this. Ever since we were children, he’s always done whatever he thought was best for me. Sometimes even when it inconveniences other people.”

“Thank you for apologizing,” I replied calmly. “But Damien already compensated me by transferring several properties to me.”

The moment those words left my mouth, her expression changed. The polite smile faltered and the softness disappeared, replaced by obvious frustration.

I pressed the elevator button to go back down, but Anna still trailed behind me apologizing to me. 

“Stop following me, I already said it’s not a big deal.” I said coldly. “Go do your job and you’d better not mess it up. Because I won’t help you clean it up.” 

She bit her lip, acting aggrieved.

Then—

A deafening bang erupted around us.

The entire elevator shook violently, the lights flickered and my stomach dropped. 

The floor disappeared beneath my feet and a scream finally tore from my throat. I slammed into the wall, sliding down as another jolt shook the elevator.

Minutes or maybe seconds passed like hours. Every movement sent stabbing pain through my belly.

Then I heard Damien’s voice. He was shouting from above. Anna cried out in response, her voice trembling.

“Damien.” My voice cracked in desperation. “Please help me.”

The emergency hatch finally opened and light poured into the darkness.

He climbed down and hope filled me. 

Then Anna started crying loudly. “Damien, I’m scared.”

He bent down and carried Anna in his arms, trying to calm her down with his words. I pressed myself against the wall.

“Damien.” My voice came out weak. 

“Just wait,” he said coolly. “Anna has claustrophobia. I need to get her out first.”

Then he turned around and walked away carrying her leaving me behind.

The pain in my abdomen twisted tighter.

My fingers trembled as I pressed both hands against my stomach.

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

“My baby,” I whispered.