His Dark Love

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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"Welcome to Blackwood Manor, Miss Emilia," the butler said, bowing slightly as he took her cloak. "I'll show you to your quarters.

"Thank you, Mr. Jenkins," Emilia replied, her eyes scanning the grand foyer. "The manor is even more impressive than I expected."

"Yes, milady... I mean, Miss Emilia," Mr. Jenkins corrected himself with a hint of a smile. "The Blackwoods have lived here for generations. It's a grand old place, but it has its... quirks."

Emilia raised an eyebrow. "Quirks?"

Mr. Jenkins leaned in, his voice lowering. "Some say the manor is... haunted. But I'm sure it's just old house creaks and groans."

Emilia chuckled. "I'm not one to believe in ghost stories, Mr. Jenkins. I'm here to care for the children."

"Ah, yes, the young master and mistress," Mr. Jenkins said, leading her up the stairs. "They're... spirited, shall we say. You'll have your hands full."

As they reached the nursery, Emilia heard the sound of laughter and playful shouts. She smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. This was going to be a challenge, but she was ready.

"Ah, Miss Emilia, let me introduce you to the children," Lady Blackwood said, sweeping into the room. "This is my son, Edward, and my daughter, Sophia."

Emilia curtsied. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm here to help you learn and grow."

Edward, a boy of about 10 years old, looked up at her with piercing green eyes. "I don't need a governess," he said, his voice sullen.

Sophia, on the other hand, smiled shyly. "I'm glad you're here, Miss Emilia. I've been wanting someone to play with."

As Emilia began to get to know the children, she noticed that the manor seemed to be... watching her. She felt eyes on her, even when she was alone. She shook off the feeling, attributing it to her imagination.

But as the day drew to a close, Emilia couldn't shake the sense that something was off about Blackwood Manor. And she couldn't help but wonder what secrets the family was hiding.

Lord Blackwood sat in his study, staring into the flames dancing in the fireplace. He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him. The Blackwood family had always been cursed, some would say. Generations of wealth and power came with a terrible price.

He thought about his children, Edward and Sophia. They were innocent, unaware of the darkness that lurked within the manor walls. He had done everything to protect them, to keep them safe from the family's secrets. But he knew it was only a matter of time before they discovered the truth.

A knock at the door broke the silence. "Enter," he called out.

Mr. Jenkins stepped in, his expression somber. "My lord, the new governess, Miss Emilia, seems like a capable woman."

Lord Blackwood nodded. "Good. I want her to keep the children safe, to teach them what's proper and decent. I don't want them... tainted by our family's... condition."

Mr. Jenkins hesitated before speaking. "If I may, my lord, there's something you should know. Miss Emilia seems... curious. She asked questions about the manor, about the family's history."

Lord Blackwood's eyes narrowed. "I'll speak with her. Make sure she understands the importance of discretion."

As Mr. Jenkins left, Lord Blackwood couldn't shake the feeling that Miss Emilia's arrival marked a turning point. He knew that the family's secrets wouldn't stay hidden forever. The question was, what would happen when the truth finally came to light?

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