Chapter 5
I twitched. Mike must’ve smacked her one too many times–girl sounded fully concussed.
Fifty million? Why not just ask for the whole company while she’s at it?
Something outside caught my eye. Quick flash, but familiar. I leaned closer.
Once I realized I wasn’t seeing things, I laughed..
“So, how’s life with Mike these days?”
Instant mood shift–hit her right in the ego.
“What’s that supposed to mean? We’re perfect, obviously! Unlike you–no guy would ever want you!”
Terrance’s jaw ticked at that. Weird. No clue why he was irritated.
Still locked on the street, I switched to video call.
“The guy who just walked out of the shopping mall with another girl… isn’t that your husband?”
That was the day Cecilia totally snapped. Screamed like she belonged in a horror movie.
I didn’t bother replying–just dropped the phone on the seat and went shopping with Freya.
When I got back, she was still yelling.
Gotta admit, the girl had stamina.
But after that meltdown, maybe realizing she was losing her grip, she went quiet for a bit.
Next time I saw her? Family gathering. She showed up all smug and dropped the bomb–she
was pregnant.
Her stomach was still flat, but she kept rubbing it like she was already queen of the Spencer dynasty.
She didn’t even fake it around me–eye–rolls so dramatic I was surprised her eyeballs didn’t fall out.
“Oh, what’s the point of women working themselves to death? Honestly, such a waste. A real woman’s happiness is a husband and a baby.”
And I just sat there thinking–how did we grow up in the same house?
Who the hell taught her women were supposed to depend on men?
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It was pushing 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and even with the AC cranked, the room was
warm.
Still, Cecilia was bundled up in layers. The little skin she did show? Covered in bruises.
Everyone already knew the tea. After the Feltons pulled out their investment, Mike’s grandpa made him kneel for a whole month, calling him a useless bastard.
Mike? Took all that rage and dumped it on Cecilia. Her screams basically became the house
soundtrack
Of course I knew. I leaned my chin on my hand, smiling.
“Cecilia, why all the layers? You trying to melt?”
Her smile cracked. She scrambled to hide the bruises.
“I… I get cold now that I’m pregnant! None of your business! Maybe worry about yourself for once. You’re not getting any younger–I’m actually embarrassed for you!”
Not getting younger? Girl, I’m twenty–five.
If that’s the case, then Terrance–four years older–should be six feet under from the shame.
Wait… why did he pop into my head?
I stared at my fork, suddenly forgetting how to eat.
Now that I thought about it, I’d been bumping into him a lot lately. Sure, Freya was always around, but still.
He’s a CEO–shouldn’t he be drowning in meetings or something?
Even if I’d been oblivious before, it was getting kinda obvious.
My face went full tomato.
And of course, my mom clocked it instantly. Grinning like she won the lottery.
“Demi, do you have a crush on someone?”
For once, I totally choked. “I… I don’t!” I stammered, then made a break for the bathroom.
Cold water, deep breaths–anything to stop blushing like a schoolgirl.
But just as my brain started to chill, a pair of hands slid around my waist from behind.
I jumped and spun straight into Mike’s smug face.
“Demi,” he whispered, full creep mode, “Cecilia’s pregnant, She can’t… entertain me. Don’t
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Chapter 5
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you think you should step up? You’re smart. You know what your business could gain from my family’s support. I don’t need to spell it out.”
He leaned in, aiming for my face.
I didn’t even think. “Go kiss your own ass!” I snapped, and kicked him–hard.
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