Chapter 3

When Calvin hosted a welcome-back cocktail party for Harriet, I was summoned to attend as well.

A few drinks in, one of his friends brought me up on purpose. "Calvin, where's that shadow of yours? You didn't actually catch feelings for her, did you?"

Harriet's smile vanished instantly. "Who are you talking about?"

Calvin took a slow sip of his whiskey, completely nonchalant. "I didn't pry into what you did while you were abroad, so you shouldn't pry into my business here."

Tears welled up in Harriet's eyes. "If you've fallen for someone else, just tell me. I'll get out of your way."

Calvin immediately wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into a fierce, possessive kiss.

"Anna?" he murmured soothingly against her lips. "She's nothing more than a pet I keep around. How could I ever love someone like her? In this whole world, you're the only woman who belongs at my side."

Harriet finally broke into a triumphant smile, and the rest of the crowd chimed in with supportive laughter.

"Seriously, Harriet," one of the guys laughed. "That chick practically threw herself at Calvin. Remember when she downed a whole bottle of scotch just to help Calvin land that business deal? Ended up in the ICU with a bleeding stomach ulcer!"

"Man, she's desperate," another chimed in. "After you left, Calvin got into street racing to blow off steam. She wanted to keep up with him so badly that she took up racing too. Wrecked her car so hard she broke three ribs and spent three months lying in bed."

"And don't forget the time she showed up a few minutes late at the club," a third guy said, howling with laughter. "Calvin got annoyed and ordered her to lick his loafers clean. And you know what? She got on her knees and did it. Talk about having zero dignity!"

Harriet's expression grew darker and darker with every story.

Finally, she barked, "Bring that whore in here!"

In fact, I had been standing right outside the lounge, listening in silence the entire time.

Calvin hadn't said a word, swirling his whiskey glass. His eyelids drooped, hiding whatever expression was in his eyes.

"She's right outside," he said lazily. "Send her in."

I pushed the door open, meeting several awkward pairs of eyes. The very people who had been ridiculing me seconds ago clearly hadn't realized I was listening from the hallway.

Before anyone could react, Harriet lunged at me, smashing a wine bottle straight over my head.

"You shameless whore!" she screamed, striking me again as glass shattered everywhere. "Do you have an ounce of self-respect? Trying to steal someone else's fiancé!"

Calvin just stood off to the side, watching with an amused smirk.

The scene felt sickeningly familiar, hurling me back to the night my stepfather had raised a glass bottle to beat me. Lisa had stood by and watched just like this.

The only difference was that this time, no one was coming to rescue me.

Agonizing pain throbbed through my scalp as thick, warm blood seeped through my hair, trickling down my face. Dizzy and fighting back waves of nausea, I bowed deeply in front of her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Kelly," I choked out through the pain. "I just love Calvin so much. I can't live without him. I'm trash, I'm pathetic, and I'm sorry."

Harriet raised her hand and delivered a stinging slap. It sent my head spinning, leaving a high-pitched ringing in my ears.

Around us, Calvin's friends burst into raucous laughter.

"Damn, listen to that! She really is the queen of desperate simps!" one of them cheered. "Calvin, you have to teach me. How did you find a lapdog this loyal?"

Her hand throbbing from the slap, Harriet finally paused. But before I could react, she drove the five-inch needle heel of her stiletto straight into my abdomen.

A blinding wave of agony tore through me. My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor, clutching my abdomen tightly.

Blood pooled rapidly beneath me, staining the marble a violent shade of crimson. I looked up at Calvin, my eyes filled with tears.

A tragic, heartbreaking smile appeared on my bloody lips. I held out my hands to him, showing him my palms drenched in red.

"Calvin, your baby is gone," I said desperately.