Chapter 4

The confinement room was almost completely dark. Trembling, Zoe felt her way toward a corner, desperate for even the smallest sense of safety.

Ever since she'd been kidnapped by one of Yale's enemies, she'd suffered from severe claustrophobia. Back then, Yale had installed motion-activated lights throughout their home so she would never have to be afraid of the dark.

Now he stood outside the confinement room, holding Natalie in his arms as she pretended to be frightened, his expression unreadable.

"Hiss..."

Every hair on Zoe's body stood on end. Countless pairs of cold, slit-pupiled eyes glinted in the darkness.

A chill crept up her spine. She bit down hard on her tongue, terrified of making even the slightest sound. She was so frightened that she barely dared to breathe.

Again and again, she looked toward the security camera in the corner, hoping someone would come. Each time, she was disappointed.

Then slick scales brushed against her skin, followed by sharp stings in her arms and legs. The last thread of her composure snapped, and she fainted.

In the security room, Natalie's eyes had grown unfocused, and an unnatural flush colored her cheeks.

Yale was watching the monitor, a flicker of pity crossing his face. Just as he was about to say something, Natalie wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Yale, I don't feel good."

He immediately forgot about Zoe and carefully carried Natalie to the couch.

"The drug is strong, Natalie. I'll be gentle."

He failed to notice the triumphant smile in her eyes or that the security system's two-way audio had been switched on.

Nor did he realize that Natalie's breathy, saccharine moans were reaching Zoe, echoing in her ears as she drifted in and out of consciousness.

...

When Zoe opened her eyes again, the confinement room door was already open.

She quietly got to her feet and dragged her aching body back to the master bedroom, where she placed her creased divorce papers on the nightstand.

Then, forcing herself to keep going despite the pain, she began gathering everything Yale had given her over the years as tokens of his love.

All the valuable jewelry, handbags, and watches went to a luxury consignment store. Everything else, from love letters and Polaroids to diaries and mementos of their happiest moments, she set alight with a lighter.

She watched in silence as the flames consumed them, reducing them to ashes in a metal basin.

It was like watching a love story that no longer stirred a single emotion in her finally come to an end.

The sound of a door slamming against the wall interrupted her thoughts.

Natalie stood in the doorway, looking down at her. Gone was every trace of her earlier vulnerability.

"Professor Carter, Yale told me himself that you're getting old and losing your looks," she said, deliberately emphasizing the word "old." "He says you look half-dead, without a spark of life in you. You're nothing like me."

Zoe didn't even look up. She calmly tossed the silver ring in her hand into the flames.

"Then tell Yale to marry you."

It was the diamond-studded ring Yale had made for their engagement. Zoe had treasured it for years, wearing it so carefully that it barely had a scratch.

Yet the luxury consignment store had politely informed her that it was worth next to nothing.

Just like their relationship. Without love, it had no value at all.

Zoe's indifference infuriated Natalie. She stormed forward and kicked over the basin, scattering its burning contents across the floor.

"You're an old woman nobody loves anymore! What are you still trying to save face for?" Her eyes flashed with malice. "I'll make you see for yourself that I'm the only one Yale loves!"

Zoe stood and slapped her hard across the face.

The blow snapped Natalie's head to one side, but when she turned back, there was a strange gleam in her eyes.

They began grappling with each other, pulling and struggling until Natalie lost her footing and tumbled down the stairs.

Zoe frowned as she watched Natalie roll down the steps and land at the bottom, blood immediately pooling beneath her.

For a split second, she caught a faint, triumphant smile in Natalie's eyes.

Something about it didn't make sense.

Moments later, Yale burst through the door. He rushed to Natalie's side, scooped her into his arms, and cast Zoe a vicious look before carrying her away.

Zoe suddenly remembered the prenatal test report Natalie had emailed her to show off her pregnancy.

She found the email and opened the attachment. The report clearly stated that the baby's blood type was A.

Natalie had rare Type O Rh-negative blood, while Yale had type B blood.

There was no way the two of them could have a child with type A blood.

Natalie must have known that all along. That was why she'd deliberately provoked Zoe again and again, hoping to pin the blame for her miscarriage on her and win even more of Yale's affection.

A smile slowly spread across Zoe's face as she stared at the report.

"Looks like fate's on my side, Yale. Don't blame me for giving you a little surprise and collecting some interest on what you owe me."