STIGMA

Secret Triplets: The Billionaire's Second Chance

Roderic Penn

I stood at my mother’s open grave in the freezing rain, my heels sinking into the mud. The space beside me was empty. My husband, Hilliard Holloway, had promised to cherish me in bad times, but apparently, burying my mother didn't fit into his busy schedule. While the priest’s voice droned on, a news alert lit up my phone. It was a livestream of the Metropolitan Charity Gala. There was Hilliard, looking impeccable in a custom tuxedo, with his ex-girlfriend Charla English draped over his arm. The headline read: "Holloway & English: A Power Couple Reunited?" When he finally returned to our penthouse at 2 AM, he didn't come alone—he brought Charla with him. He claimed she’d had a "medical emergency" at the gala and couldn't be left alone. I found a Tiffany diamond necklace on our coffee table meant for her birthday, and a smudge of her signature red lipstick on his collar. When I confronted him, he simply told me to stop being "hysterical" and "acting like a child." He had no idea I was seven months pregnant with his child. He thought so little of my grief that he didn't even bother to craft a convincing lie, laughing with his mistress in our home while I sat in the dark with a shattered heart and a secret life growing inside me. "He doesn't deserve us," I whispered to the darkness. I didn't scream or beg. I simply left a folder on his desk containing signed divorce papers and a forged medical report for a terminated pregnancy. I disappeared into the night, letting him believe he had successfully killed his own legacy through his neglect. Five years later, Hilliard walked into "The Vault," the city's most exclusive underground auction, looking for a broker to manage his estate. He didn't recognize me behind my Venetian mask, but he couldn't ignore the neon pink graffiti on his armored Maybach that read "DEADBEAT." He had no clue that the three brilliant triplets currently hacking his security system were the very children he thought had been erased years ago. This time, I wasn't just a wife in the way; I was the one holding all the cards.

Modern Crime Revenge

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"Someone help me! I'm being attacked!"

The desperate screams of Linda Harris filled the air, drawing an increasing crowd of onlookers to the scene.

Hadley Pearson was poised at the top of the staircase, her gaze fixed on Linda who lay crumpled below. A look of utter confusion washed over Hadley as she stared down at her own hands, completely bewildered.

Murmuring to herself, Hadley said, "How could this have happened..."

Why did Linda collapse so suddenly?

"What's going on here?"

With today marking the Flynn family's grand banquet, the estate was bustling with guests. Those who heard the commotion quickly encircled Linda, who was sprawled out from her fall down the stairs.

"What's going on? How did she end up falling?"

"Look up there. She..."

Struggling through her pain, Linda managed to lift her head and look up towards where Hadley stood.

It was then that the gathered crowd pieced together the apparent events.

"Hadley pushed Linda!"

"Good heavens! Hadley, regardless of your feelings towards Linda, such harshness is unthinkable! And she's expecting a child!"

"You've crossed the line!"

"No, that's not true..."

As accusations flew, Hadley's complexion blanched, and she vehemently shook her head in denial.

She tried to assert her innocence, insisting she hadn't pushed Linda.

However, her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Make way!"

A commanding male voice disrupted the gathering, asserting his presence authoritatively.

That voice belonged to Eric Flynn, Hadley's new husband for only a brief period.

"Eric..."

A wave of relief washed over Hadley as she turned to him for support.

Yet, as Eric's eyes met hers, they were sharp and accusing. "You hurt her!"

"I didn't!" Hadley protested, her denial forceful as she shook her head desperately. "I wasn't the one..."

"Then who did?" Eric asked, his disbelief apparent.

His look of disdain and anger was directed squarely at Hadley, his features twisted in revulsion.

"Are you suggesting Linda threw herself down the stairs? You're known to be overbearing. Haven't you been antagonizing her all this time? Must I remind you of all the incidents?" Eric continued.

Hadley remained motionless.

The severity in her husband's voice rendered her speechless.

"Ah..."

Cradling her stomach, Linda leaned on Eric, her voice faint. "Eric, it's so painful. It really hurts!"

"Linda?" Eric's grandmother, Nyla Flynn, approached, alarmed. "What has happened here?" she demanded.

"There's blood!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"Look, she's bleeding!"

Beneath Linda, a crimson stain was expanding steadily.

Clutching at Eric's neck, Linda broke down in tears. "Eric! My baby! Help my baby..."

"Don't worry!"

Eric tried to reassure her, but his face betrayed his own fear as panic set in.

"We need to get to the hospital immediately!"