Chapter 3

"Once I reclaim my billionaire status, what if you try to use our past relationship to extort an astronomical settlement out of me?!"

Sweat poured down my face from the pain. "Can't you see she's bleeding out?! If we delay any longer, she could lose her life, not just the baby!"

Ethan's face contorted with cold indifference. "I’m about to inherit a multi-billion-dollar empire! My time is precious, and I’m standing right here waiting. What makes her so special?"

"Besides, she's a broke nobody. Any kid she pops out will just be another broke nobody. It's better off not being born at all than suffering in poverty! Consider it a favor!"

"So what if she miscarries? Worst case, I'll toss you guys a couple grand for emotional distress tomorrow. Call it charity!"

As he spewed his venom, Ashley weakly pointed a trembling finger at him. "You... just you wait..."

I clutched Ashley’s icy hand, my heart tearing apart.

Left with no choice, I begged the firm's staff to rush Ashley to the hospital in their car.

The moment the finalized separation papers came out of the printer, I signed my name without reading another word, grabbed my keys, and ran out to the parking lot.

Before I could back out, Ethan planted himself directly in front of my hood.

"Get out," he ordered, rapping on the glass. "I need the car to take Chloe mansion shopping."

I rolled down the window an inch, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. "The vehicle title is in my name. We just signed the notarized agreement. It belongs entirely to me."

Ethan scowled. "Chloe is pregnant and needs comfort. You can't easily catch an Uber around here. Hand over the keys and walk back!"

"Once I officially take over the Sinclair empire the day after tomorrow, I'll buy you the latest model as compensation for all the years you spent warming my bed."

[What car? What house? The luxury apartment and Porsche Nora bought him? He signed over the titles to Chloe the very next day! Ethan literally owns nothing!]

Hearing his haughty, mocking laugh echo over the baby's inner thoughts, I didn't hesitate for a second. I slammed my foot on the gas and aimed straight for him.

Ethan scrambled backward in terror, tumbling onto the sidewalk. "You crazy bitch! You try to hit me? I swear to God I'll bankrupt your family's pathetic little company!"

I thrust my hand out the window, flipped him off, and yelled, "Go check the luxury hotel records under Chloe's name, you absolute clown!"

Chloe immediately adopted a frail, tearful look, clutching Ethan's arm. "Ethan, you know my new place was just renovated... I was terrified the fumes would harm our baby, so I had to stay in a hotel..."

Ethan looked down at her with blind, besotted trust.

I didn't waste another breath on them. I sped straight to the emergency room.

Ashley was still in critical condition. The doctor warned me that the trauma was severe, and the chances of saving the pregnancy were slim.

I sat in the sterile hospital corridor, crying until my eyes were swollen and raw, until my phone buzzed with an incoming call from my best friend, Nicole Sinclair.

"Nora! I'm landing tomorrow morning! Come over to the Sinclair estate! I brought you the most amazing wedding gift!"

Voice cracked with emotion, I told her everything that had transpired today. "Thank you for your 'prank.' It made me see both of them for the monsters they truly are before I ruined my life at the altar."

Nicole unleashed a torrent of furious curses on Ethan and Chloe before hanging up, promising to handle it.

Knowing Nicole was arriving the next day, I took time off work.

I decided to head to the premier luxury mall downtown to pick out a welcome-back gift for her, hoping a little retail therapy would clear my head.

I never expected to run into Ethan and Chloe there.

On her ring finger sat a blinding, ten-carat radiant-cut diamond.

[Bought entirely on high-interest credit! Let's see how they pay that bill!]

The baby's voice chimed in right on cue.

Spotting me, Chloe intentionally let her grip slip on her limited-edition Hermès bag, letting the keys to a brand-new Ferrari and an elite penthouse spill across the counter.

[Chloe sold off every single car and property Ethan previously gave her, but it still wasn't enough cash. Even those keys are leases bought on margin! I'm not inheriting a billion-dollar empire—I'm inheriting a multi-million-dollar mountain of debt!]

[Last night they dragged their friends to an upscale club, and Chloe was hooking up with some random guy in the VIP bathroom! And yet I'm still stuck in this womb! Lord of the Underworld, show some mercy and let me die already!]

Just then, several heavily made-up women came rushing toward Chloe, squealing in delight as they grabbed her hands.

"Chloe! Is it true?! You really bagged a multi-billionaire heir?!"