Saintwood Revelations

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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In S City, Z Country...

It was mid-June, and the tall mulberry tree was in bloom once more.

Fiona Ji looked up and down at the trees. With a sigh, she went on her way, thinking that she ought to be on her way to school.

The high school auditorium was jam packed with people. It was graduation day, and all the students and parents waited excitedly for the opening ceremony to begin. It was another year, and another set of fresh graduates. The students had just finished their college entrance examinations, and were about to set off to a new milestone in their lives.

Backstage, Fiona Ji was waiting behind the curtain to deliver her speech. Fiona was undoubtedly beautiful. Her smooth, black hair fell elegantly on her shoulders. It made her fair skin stand out even more, which had a faint, pinkish glow. Fiona's eyes were big and bright--with one glance, they appeared to have a million things to say. Her thick and long lashes often cast shadows over her eyes, making her look all the more lovely.

She straightened out the school uniform she was wearing and adjusted the bow knot tied at her collar. Mumbling to herself, she practiced her speech one last time as preparation.

"Fiona, you're up. Come here and get ready to get on the stage," one of her teachers whispered to her.

"Yes, Miss Zhou."

"Everyone, please welcome this graduating class' most outstanding student, Fiona Ji!"

Taking a deep breath in, Fiona strode out to the center of the stage and onto the podium. Applause filled the entire auditorium.

Some of the naughtier students whistled when they saw Fiona make her way to the center of the stage.

A lot of male high school students saw Fiona as a goddess. Beautiful and intelligent. What was more, she was rather cold towards other people, which made her all the more mysterious. Most of the students did not dare to get close to her because of this.

What they didn't know was that Fiona used to be such a happy little girl, always smiling and laughing. Obviously, those days were no more...

"It was three years ago when we started high school. We were innocent and naive. At that time, it was easy to imagine all the things that we could be. But, we have yet to decide what we really want to be, what we are passionate about, what kind of life we can achieve for ourselves. We will soon be able to grow and find out more about ourselves in the next chapter of our lives. Luckily, our elders will be there to guide us every step of the way. As we enter college, let us also not forget to make deep and meaningful relationships. There is no need to go through any hurdles alone.

High school may seem like the best time in our lives, but I say that the best is yet to come. When we leave this school, let us all do everything we can to achieve all our dreams. Congratulations to everyone! Thank you."

When Fiona finished her speech, some of the girls were already sobbing with sadness. There was also a tinge of sorrow rising from the bottom of Fiona's heart. She wanted to go back and see the mountainous tree at the school grounds.

When the ceremony ended, students said their tearful goodbyes to each other. Some were taking photos with their parents. Some were chatting away with their favorite teachers. Some were boasting loudly about what they would be doing next.

It seemed as if Fiona was the only one who came to the graduation alone. It has been almost ten years.

'Father, mother... How are you up in heaven? Have you seen how I've grown up? Are you proud?'

"Hi, Fiona!" As she was thinking quietly to herself, someone behind her suddenly called her name. Fiona turned around and found it was one of the class leaders.

"What's up?" Fiona asked politely.

"Oh.. Ah, nothing," he stuttered as he laughed nervously. The boy was so shy that he scratched his head and said, "I heard that you ranked second in the college entrance examinations in our city. That's so awesome! Which school did you register for?"

"D University."

"Wow. D University is a great school! That's in M City, right? It's pretty close so it'll be convenient for you to come home!"

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