a lost king

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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chapter 1

Rose POV

I’m such a stupid person, what was I even thinking when I decided to wander around in such a cold weather. I just wish it doesn’t snow to add more to my misery.

I really need to work on my social attitude. I’m Rosalyn, yeah call me Rose. Are you waiting for my full name? Sorry to disappoint you, it’s a secret no one has to know, so bear with me.

‘HERE IT GOES JESUS EHHHH!’ Can’t I take a break from my ever so charming bad luck? Does it really have to snow? Oh, leave it; I need to hurry before I die from the chilling cold. I never knew Russia has such a cold weather in winters, only if I knew. Yes folks, my current home is in Moscow, Russia but please don’t come over, I would really mind.

Finally, after jiggling with my apartment keys, I enter inside my apartment shivering. It’s a simple yet beautiful one-bedroom apartment with an open kitchen. I take off my boots and coat while heading towards my cocoa brown couch that is placed in the middle of the small living room. I slum on the comfy couch and look around my apartment to give a once over like every day to see everything is same as I left. Same white walls with a painting hanging in the middle of the living room wall above the fireplace, a glass table in front of me and an open kitchen on my view with untouched appliances.

Soon I feel myself basking in the warmth of my apartment and in no time, I drift to my dreamland leaving all the things at the back of my mind.

…..*…..*……

I’m flying, wait what? Nooo, I’m falling and before I know I’m on the floor groaning from pain. So much for flying and how could I fall asleep on the couch? ‘Because you are a lazy ass who can’t give up her sleep’.

‘I really need to stop talking to myself if I don’t want people to freak out.’

‘As if you care.’

‘Fine I give up; my inner sarcastic voice, please let me have a break.’

‘Sure, just don’t forget that you have packing to do and a flight to catch’

“OH MY GODD! HOW CAN I FORGET I HAVE PACKING TO DO? I am a goner; I haven’t even started yet.”

‘Oh, hello my inner voice, help please. Ok I got it; you don’t want to help me in the time of need. I’m all by myself.’

….*…..*……

6 hours, yes it took me 6 hours to get done with my packing and getting ready. I should be proud of myself for getting ready on time at least, and now I’m standing in this damn line for luggage check-in.

Finally, after all the hassle it’s time to board and I am more than grateful.

After settling on my seat, I start to think about my destination New York, my new home. I don’t even know why I thought to move to that city since it was once my home. ‘Let’s not think about that, 10 hours of flight are going to be hell boring so let’s utilize them by taking a nap. It’s been ages since I last slept.’

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