Santia

ire existence, solidified something inside me. There was no going back. There

. The private investigator's reports piled up, confirming my worst suspicions and then some. Declan wasn't just cheating; he was systematically draining funds from his company i

Especially fr

plans from my old desk, as I occasionally did before the accident. As I navigated the sleek, modern corrid

ew. Everyone knew something was wrong. Some, the ones who had seen me at my strongest, offered quiet support, o

t. Bridgett. She strutted past the open doorway, her voice chirping loudly to a colleague, her p

ipping with mock concern. "Looking for

ocusing on the p

the doorway, effectively blocking my exit. "Declan tried to te

tt," I said,

eyes glinting with malice. "Declan told me to keep you away

touching my lips. "Did he also tell you how he spend

d, broken relic, Elena. A trophy wife who broke." She leaned in, her voice dro

job. My chronic pain flared, a dull th

a man who gets bored easily." I took a step closer, forcing her to back up. "You're just like that cat you threw in the dumpster. Shiny and new for

A flicker of doubt crossed her face.

s you when he's not confessing his true feelings about y

"You bitch!" she shrieked, and in a sud

nbalanced by her pregnancy and her own fury, stumbled. Her feet slipped on the polished

len belly, her face contorted in pain and shock. "My ba

hispers turned to shouts. Mobile p

ened?" som

er at me, her tears now flowing freely, a perfect picture of

m. He took in Bridgett on the floor, clutching her belly, surround

knelt beside her, his hand gently touching her

chest. "Elena... she pushed me, Declan. She

murderous fury. "You monster! You truly are a psychopa

e calm despite the pounding in my chest

her! Everyone saw you!" He turned to the gathere

ne met my eye. Loyalty, it

g. "And you know what, Declan? There are cameras ev

eras in this part of the office. You're just trying to deflect." He looked at Bridgett, his expression

"She hates me, Declan. She hates our baby.

d that baby? I hope you're ready for the paternity test, because if it is yours, you're about t

hite. His eyes narrowed, filled with a raw, primal rage. He rais

king, brutal pain. My head snapped back, the world tiltin

u question my child? This is it, Elena. You want a war? You've got one. I'll ruin you. I'l

y mouth. My head cleared. The anger, sharp and cold, returned. He had hit me. After years of emotional abuse, of gaslighting, he had

th panic. "Elena, what have you done? Declan is threatening to sue you!

ed, her voice desperate. "Beg his forgiven

. "You are an embarrassment, Elena. A disgrace to the Harris name. Declan is too good

is voice cold. "Drop the divorce. Apologize to Brid

me, strengthening my resolve. They didn't see the truth.

: "Elena, I still love you. This isn't you. Come home. Let's talk. Let's fix

ught. Forgive me? For what? For wanting th

ge of honor, a reminder of the monster I had married. They could threaten me. T

e every single one of their filthy lies. The

the bailif

but still arrogant. Bridgett sat beside him, looking demure and fragile. Our parents sat behind them,

yes, looked at Declan first. Her voice, when s

"do you, or do you not, admit to the allegatio

ysical blow. The air in the courtroom crackled with sudde