Unforeseen Chemistry

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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Angela Anderson, despite what happened in the past has managed to put it behind her and completed her college education with good grades. Ten years after the tragic incident which happened on her birthday, she was now ready for the real world. With the help of her father, Mr Anderson, Angela was able to apply for a position in a well-known prestigious trillion-dollar company called Diamond Corporation. She had been called for an interview and she prepared herself for it very excited. Angela appeared to have pushed everything behind her growing up and is now focused on her future.

The day for the interview finally came and Angela got ready for it. She put on a simple white blouse over a black skirt and completed her dressing with a simple necklace, small earrings and black full shoes with a 2-inch block heel. She held her hair up in a bun and checked herself out in the mirror after applying some lip gloss on her dry lips. Satisfied with her appearance, she exited her bedroom and went down the stairs to bid her mother goodbye before leaving for Diamond Corporation.

"Mum, I am leaving for the interview," Angela said kissing Mrs Anderson on the cheek.

"I wish you the best. Your father will drop you off," Mrs Anderson said and immediately Mr Anderson joined the two in the kitchen, casually dressed.

"You don't have to Dad. I can always get the bus," Angela said. "I am not a little girl anymore," she added drawing Mr and Mrs Anderson's attention to herself that she was all grown.

"Don't be silly. It is your first interview and I need to be there. Subsequently, you can do the bus," Mr Anderson said and greeted his wife with a kiss on the cheek making her smile.

"Hmm, I love everything about this family except this old tradition of being present at the first of everything," Angela said throwing her hands in the air as she walked towards the main door. "At this rate, I guess you will drop me off at my boyfriend's on my first visit. At my husband's, when I'm moving in for the first time," she added.

"That wouldn't be a bad idea. That way I will know you are safe at all times," Mr Anderson said as they walked out the front door.

"Are you going to be present when I decided to lose my virginity to my husband?" Angela asked standing next to the co-driver seat door.

"Hmmm, that, I don't want to be present," Mr Anderson said after pretending to be thinking through her statement making Angela laugh.

"I wouldn't mind dropping you off at the hospital for your first pregnancy test, first antenatal check and first birth," Mr Anderson said as they both got into the car and Angela shook her head in disbelief while smiling.

"Someday when you start your family, you will have a tradition of your own when the little angels start coming in. It would be your way of ensuring your family is safe always," Mr Anderson said and Angela smiled.

"I love you, Dad," Angela said and hugged Mr Anderson behind the wheel.

"I love you too kiddo," Mr Anderson said hugging her back. "Now let's go and pass that interview," he added pulling away from the hug and bringing the car engine to life.

The car drove out of the compound and headed for the company. Mr Anderson decided to ensure Angela was well prepared for her interview so he threw a couple of questions at her to answer to help her build her confidence for the interview. Angela did her best to answer them all.

"You will do fine. Just relax. Pay attention to the questions, and answer them to the best of your knowledge. Remember, always mention your skills in your answer and don't forget to add how that will benefit the company," Mr Anderson advised and the car came to a stop.

Angela stuck her head out and stared at the entrance of the company with the tight security. She moved her gaze beyond the gate and, sitting inside a compound surrounded by tall walls, was a towel with Diamond Corporation bolding inscribed at the top.

"Oh God help me," Angela whispered on her lips staring at the giant building.

"You will be fine. Just believe in yourself," Mr Anderson encouraged and Angela hugged him one more time with a smile before getting down from the car.

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