chapter 4

Chapter 4

Nichole’s POV

All eyes fell on me, and I jolted back in my seat, the chair scraping against the floor as I stood up. Why was everyone staring at me?

"I didn't do anything!" I stammered.

My mother-in-law slammed her hand against the table as she stood. "I know you're jealous of the relationship between Lydia and Blake, but this is too much. How could you be so evil?"

"What?" My eyes widened in disbelief as I turned to Blake for support, but he just gave me a disgusted look.

"Baby, are you okay?" he asked, digging his hand into his pocket and pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the trail of blood slipping from the side of Lydia's mouth. She gave him a slight nod.

"Baby?" I mumbled under my breath, my throat suddenly dry. "You guys are together, aren't you?"

I noticed the way Blake's shoulders stiffened before his hand tightened around Lydia's, still refusing to spare me a single glance.

"Are you okay? Does your body hurt? I promise I'll go get the doctor," he said softly, his tone breaking my heart.

There was no longer any need to hide it. The man I loved was with another woman, shamelessly flaunting her in my face. Seeing how everyone was fawning over Lydia made me realize that, even though I was legally his wife, I was the outsider.

Three years... all for nothing.

My hand slowly moved to the satin cloth adorning the table. I’d bought it a year after we got married—a foolish attempt to make our home beautiful. It reminded me of all my years of stupidity and blind devotion.

Anger coursed through my veins. I grunted, pulling hard at the tablecloth. The sound of shattering plates echoed through the room, and everyone turned to me in shock.

Blake quickly shielded Lydia with his body, and honestly, I didn’t care if he got hurt. He hurt me first.

Blake marched up to me, his footsteps heavy with fury. He was truly angry—angrier than I had ever seen him. Fear clawed at my skin, but I forced myself to remain calm.

Like a flash of lightning, a sharp slap filled the room, the force of it sending my head sideways.

My cheek burned as tears filled my eyes. He had hit me... because of her.

My body trembled as I struggled to catch my breath. Slowly, I pressed a hand to my throbbing cheek and turned to him, disbelief evident in my eyes.

Seeing him now made me realize I probably never knew him at all. I’d been blinded by my desperation to be loved by him, unable to see or accept his flaws. I’d painted a picture in my head, deluded myself with the idea of love, when in reality, I had been living in bondage.

"How dare you do that to Lydia! First, you’ve been acting up, and now you try to kill her? Don’t you have any shame, Nichole? How could you be so cruel?"

Even now, he blamed me for everything. Was he always this manipulative, or was I just foolish?

With a grunt I launched my palm against his face and the whole room became silentsilent with shock. 

"Lydia! Lydia! Lydia! Why the hell is she so important to you?" I choked on my words, my throat tight with emotion.

"I am your wife, for God's sake!" I yelled, my voice shaking the room.

"How dare you raise your  hand on me, you bitch?" Blake growled. He grabbed a chunk of my hair, forcing me to meet his furious gaze. "My mom was right. I’ve indulged you too much."

His face tightened as he tossed me aside, treating me like trash.

I crashed against the table, the sharp edge digging into my stomach. Groaning in pain, I clutched my abdomen as a wave of dizziness washed over me. My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor.

Clutching my stomach, I gritted my teeth as tears poured from my eyes.

"My baby," I whispered, the words echoing in my head like a prayer. I had lost everything—but God, please, not my baby.

"No," I muttered, shaking my head in denial as I noticed the dampness spreading between my legs.

I couldn’t lose my baby.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

My phone rang. My head turned sluggishly toward the sound, and a flicker of hope ignited in my chest when I saw the name flashing on the screen. My phone was just a few inches away—all I had to do was reach it.

"Dad," I whimpered, my voice weak as I reached out.

"Argh!" I cried out when Blake's foot pressed down on my hand, crushing my fingers.

My body drained of energy as I panted heavily. "Blake..."

Blake scoffed, picking up my phone from the floor. He turned to his mother with a chuckle.

"Look who’s calling. It’s her dad," he sneered.

"I told you this wench was nothing but a gold digger," his mother spat with disgust. "All she wanted was your money. Pretending to be an orphan was just a ploy to gain your sympathy. Thank God you’ve come to your senses and decided to be with Lydia. She’s the perfect match for you."

I shook my head weakly, tears streaming down my face. "Blake, about my parents—it’s not what you think..."

"Shut the hell up, you liar!" Blake snapped, pressing his foot harder against my hand.

I screamed in pain as he arched a brow with a smirk. He pressed the answer button on my phone.

"Let’s see what Daddy has to say."

Jennifer’s frantic voice rang through the line, and my eyes widened in shock. Why was she answering my dad’s phone?

"My God, Nichole, where are you? Uncle’s condition has worsened! You need to get here right now. He only has three hours left to live..."

Jennifer’s voice cut off abruptly as Blake smashed my phone to the floor. Hope drained from me as I wiggled my fingers under his foot, desperately trying to break free.

"No, Dad," I whispered. 

"Blake, please," I begged, my voice trembling. "I promise I’ll explain everything, but I need to see my dad..."

Blake scoffed. "After hurting Lydia, do you think I’ll let you off that easily?"

He pulled me up from the floor just as the door burst open, and police officers swarmed into the room.

The supposedly injured Lydia, who moments ago looked as if she might pass out, sprang to her feet and rushed toward them.

"Finally, you’re here! Arrest her! She tried to kill me," Lydia said, smirking as she pointed at me.

I was too exhausted to fight. I needed to see my dad.

I grabbed Blake’s hand, tears streaming down my face as I pleaded. "Blake, please... for everything we shared over the past few years... help me." My voice cracked, my body shaking while blake stared at me with an unreaable expression.