Chapter 9
1
Over the past few weeks. Quinn and I had been surprisingly civil Maybe it was the baby I was carrying, or perhaps his grandfather’s ever–watchful presence, but every night, like clockwork, he made it home for dinner.
I glanced at the clock–it was almost noon.
I dialed Quinn’s number, but after a few rings, it went to voicemail. I let out a frustrated sigh and dialed his office line instead
“Mrs. Madden Finn answered quickly, his voice sinooth and professional. “Mr. Madden is in a video conference at the moment. It should be wrapped up in about thirty minutes.”
“I see” I replied. “I have a document that requires his review. Does he have anything scheduled after the meeting?”
Finn paused for a moment, likely checking the schedule. “Are you planning to join him for lunch, Mrs. Madden? He’s got a one o’clock meeting, so he only has about thirty minutes for a break.”
I couldn’t help but appreciate how well Finn knew his boss. It was no wonder he was Quinn’s right–hand man
“Would you like me to arrange lunch for you both? Finn asked, polite as ever.
“No need.” I replied. “I just finished my errands, so I’ll grab something myself. It’ll be quicker.”
After hanging up, I drove to Angel’s Bistro, the trendy spot everyone had been raving about lately. While waiting for my order, I noticed a familiar figure through the floor–to–ceiling windows.
It was Diana, Dressed in a knee–length white dress and heels, she walked into the restaurant, phone pressed to her ear. Without noticing me, she followed a waiter to a private dining room.
“Quinn, I’m here. How much longer will you be? Her voice floated through the air. My chest tightened, the words hitting me like a freight train.
Quinn had a one o’clock meeting. Concerned he wouldn’t have time to cat, I’d gone out of my way to bring him lunch. But apparently, for Diana, he was willing to clear his schedule and meet her here, in person.
They say heartache dulls over time, that you eventually grow numb to it. But every time I saw Quinn go out of his way for Diana, the familiar sting of bitterness came roaring back, fresh and sharp.
“Ma’am, your order is ready, a server said, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts as she handed me the takeout bag. “Thank you,” I replied, my voice a little distant. I hesitated for a moment before asking, “Where’s the restroom?”
The server gave me directions, and I found myself walking past Diana’s private room. I stopped outside the door, standing there for a moment, unsure of why I was even lingering.
Maybe I just needed to confirm what I already feared–would Qiann really show up?
I tried to reassure myself. Maybe Finn hadn’t had a chance to pass along my message to him yet.
Pulling out my phone, I called Quinn. He picked up almost immediately.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my words coming out rushed, my heart beating in my throat
Just finished the meeting, he replied, his tone calm, like nothing was out of the ordinary. “What’s up?”
“Did Finn tell you? I picked up lunch for you. I’m on my way back to the office now. I paused, my voice dropping. “Can you
wait for me?”
Chapter 9
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There was a beat of silence before he answered. “Alright.”
A small flamme of hope flickered to life in my chest, a tiny spark that chased away some of the tension.
Maybe Jenna was right–I shouldn’t just sit back and let someone else snatch my husband away without putting up a fight.
I hung up and glanced through the crack in the door. Diana was sitting inside, perfectly composed, her posture straight and poised as if she’d been waiting for something–or someone.
As I turned to leave the restaurant, her voice cut through the air sharp and accusing. “What do you mean you can’t come? Quinn, you promised to have lunch with me! Have you forgotten the promise you made to my mother?” she demanded, her voice slicing through the quiet hallway.
Her words, full of frustration, echoed in the air, her perfectly made–up face twisting in fury. I stopped, lingering for a moment longer, savoring the sight of her anger. Diana, throwing a fit, not getting her way–it almost felt like a small victory.
But then her voice shifted, sickly sweet and syrupy. Whatever Quinn had said seemed to cool her temper. “Fine, 1 understand. You’ll divorce her after the baby is born. That way, your grandfather won’t raise a fuss,” she cooed. T’m not mad anymore. I know you’re doing this for us–for our future.”
She hung up with a satisfied smile, her demeanor smoothing out as she stood. Meanwhile, I stood frozen by the door, her words hammering into me like shards of ice.
Quinn had promised to divorce me. To be with her. Two years as his wife, and I hadn’t managed to claim even the smallest piece of his heart.
Before I could fully process the sting, Diana stepped out of the room and spotted me instantly. Her expression didn’t even flicker.
Her eyes darted to the takeout bag in my hand, and her lips curled into a smug, mocking smile. “Natalia,” she drawled, her voice dripping with condescension, have you really sunk this low? Running around town with a pregnant belly, picking up takeout for Quinn like some desperate errand girl?”
Her words were meant to cut, but I’d heard worse–and I’d been through worse. Diana’s barbs didn’t land anymore.
I lifted an eyebrow, letting a cold smirk play on my lips. “Not everyone can be like you, Miss Terell, I said evenly. Throwing yourself at a married man’s bed and calling it ambition.”
Her face twisted for a split second, the brief crack in her facade enough to make me feel like I’d landed a direct hit. “You- Diana’s fists clenched, her voice rising with fury. “Natalia, you’re shameless! Quinn hates you, and you still cling to him like a damn leech! Do you really think popping out a baby is gonna make him love you?”
1 met her glare with a calm, icy smile, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Funny. I don’t recall him complaining about my shamelessness when we were tangled up in bed.
“Natalia, you disgusting-!” she hissed, her eyes blazing like she wanted to claw me apart. Stepping closer, she leaned in, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Don’t worry. I’ll take very good care of your baby once it’s mine.”
Her words sent an icy chill racing down my spine, and before I could react, her had suddenly shot out toward my belly. The panic hit me like a gut punch. In that split second, my only thought was that she was going to hurt my baby.
I didn’t even register what I was doing until I shoved her away, the action driven purely by instinct. The takeout bag slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a crash, food spilling everywhere.
A server rushed over, alarmed. “Ma’am, are you okay?”
I barely registered the question, my focus locked on Diana, My hands clenched into fists as anger surged through me, white- hot and almost impossible to contain.
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22:34 Thu, Dec 12 TO
Chapter 9
If it weren’t for the baby, I might’ve slapped her smug face right then and there. But for my baby’s sake, I couldn’t risk anything.
55%–
I took a deep breath, my voice low and deadly calm “Listen closely, Diana, I said, stepping closer. “I didn’t become Mrs. Madden by accident. If you push me, I can end you without lifting a finger. Don’t test me.”
With Quinn’s child growing inside me. I knew I could always tu to his grandfather.
Alex would never let someone like Diana stick around. I hadn’t made that move yet–not because I was weak, but because I didn’t want to risk Quinn hating me for it.
Diana’s expression twisted into something darker, pure venom flooding her gaze as she glared at me.
I turned to leave, but before I could take a single step-
“Ah!” Diana’s high–pitched scream echoed through the restaurant. She’d stepped on the scattered food, her heel slipping on the greasy floor. As she fell, her hand shot out and grabbed my arm, yanking me down with her.
Panic exploded in my chest as we crashed to the ground. The impact was sharp–sudden–and then a searing pain shot through my abdomen.
The loud, frantic voice of a server rang out, piercing the air. “Blood! There’s blood everywhere! Someone call 911!”
I froze, my heart hammering in my chest. I looked down and felt my breath catch. Bright red blood was soaking through my dress, pooling between my legs, spreading across the floor in terrifying, rapid amounts.
SEND GIFT
