Caught Between Enemies

While I Was Bleeding Out, He Lit Lanterns For Her

Katie Oettgen

As I lay on the floor of our manor, bleeding out from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, I used my last ounce of strength to call my husband, Cole. I begged him for help, my vision blurring. But the only thing I heard was the clinking of champagne glasses and his mistress's giggle in the background. "Stop the drama, June," Cole snapped, his voice cold. "We're about to go on stage. Don't call again." He hung up, leaving me to die alone on the Persian rug while he accepted an award with another woman on his arm. I woke up in the hospital days later. My baby was gone. They had removed my fallopian tube. Cole finally arrived, smelling of expensive scotch and his mistress's perfume. He didn't hug me. He didn't cry. Instead, he leaned over my hospital bed, pressing his knee into the mattress until my fresh stitches tore open and bled. "You embarrassed me by calling an ambulance," he hissed. "My mistress, Alycia, says you're faking it. Clean yourself up." He left me bleeding again to go announce a $10 million donation to Alycia's "groundbreaking" medical research. I stared at the TV screen, numb. The research Alycia was taking credit for? It was mine. I wrote that patent years ago under a pseudonym. They thought I was just a poor, orphan housewife who needed Cole's money to survive. They had no idea I was actually a billionaire scientist hiding my identity. I pulled the IV needle out of my arm. A drop of blood fell onto the divorce papers I had been hiding. I didn't wipe it off. I signed my name right over it. Then I walked into the bank, reactivated my dormant account with $128 million, and bought the penthouse directly overlooking Cole's house. The mourning widow is dead. The avenger is born.

Romance Crime Revenge Pregnancy Enemies to Lovers Pregnancy Personal Growth

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Helena POV

"Please hold on, I'm coming. I'll be right there; please tell them to wait. I'll be there in a... oops!" I exclaimed as I fell to the ground, having bumped into someone and spilled the paper cup of coffee I was holding all over him. The person, in turn, pushed me to the floor.

"Hey, you worthless dog! How dare you! Are you blind?" A man standing at 6 feet 3, with a strong build and striking features, bellowed while dusting off his suit. He seemed familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I'd seen him before. Regardless, his rudeness fuelled my determination to give it back.

"Hey, buddy, you're the worthless one here. You had your eyes up while walking. You even pushed me to the floor, but I let it slide."

"Well, I won't, not until you get me another suit and a pair of shoes because the coffee you spilled on me has stained my entire outfit," he said firmly.

As the exchange of words continued, oblivious to our surroundings, I could see the shock in his eyes over my retorts. The unexpected confrontation had escalated quickly, and now the two of us were engaged in a verbal sparring match, neither of us refusing to back down.

Fuelled by a mixture of embarrassment and indignation, I wasn't about to let the man's arrogant demeanor go unchallenged.

"You think I'm getting you anything? You should watch where you're going instead of blaming others for your clumsiness."

The man, seemingly taken aback by my feisty response, retorted, "Clumsiness? I don't spill coffee on people and then have the audacity to play the victim. You owe me a new suit, and I expect you to replace it."

Not one to back down, I stood my ground. "I owe you nothing! If anything, you owe me an apology for pushing me to the floor. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to be."

Our heated exchange continued, drawing the attention of onlookers who couldn't help but watch the unfolding drama. My bold and unapologetic demeanor clashed with the man's entitled attitude, creating a scene that neither of us expected when we crossed paths.

In the midst of the verbal jousting, I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew him from somewhere. Despite the chaos, a spark of recognition flickered in my mind, but the focus remained on the escalating confrontation. I attempted to leave, but he stopped me.

"Hey, where are you going, lady?! This suit is ruined because of you," the man persisted.

Undeterred, I shot back.

"Ruined? Your suit was probably more expensive than my entire wardrobe. I'm not your personal dry cleaner. Deal with it yourself."

He narrowed his eyes, clearly irritated. "You're incredibly rude, you know that? I demand compensation for this mess."

Crossing my arms defiantly, I replied, "Demand all you want, but you won't get anything from me. Maybe next time, watch where you're walking instead of expecting the world to cater to your every need."

The man scoffed, "You're impossible. A woman like you should learn some manners."

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