His Guilt, Her Freedom

At their nine-year anniversary party, Annis's husband brought his pregnant mistress home. He told Annis to move her things to the guest room and play hostess.

"She's carrying my son," he said. "Be a good girl."

But that wasn't the worst of it. A few days later, his mistress had "complications." She needed a transfusion. She had a rare blood type-the same as Annis's.

He had his men drag Annis to a private hospital. She had a severe heart condition, and the doctor warned him that a full transfusion could stop her heart. Her husband simply waved him off.

"Do it," he ordered. "I'm assuming full responsibility."

He forced her to sign the papers, saying, "You owe me this, Annis. After all I've given you."

As her blood drained away, her heart monitor began to scream. But his mistress called for him from the next room. He left Annis on the table, snapping at the doctor to "speed it up" before rushing to her side.

The nine years of love she had for him died right there in that hospital bed.

But she didn't die. She survived. And she waited.

On his grandfather's 80th birthday, in front of his entire powerful family, a courier arrived. He wasn't carrying a gift. He was carrying a package from Annis, containing signed divorce papers and the official medical report detailing exactly how her husband had tried to kill her.

Chapter 1

The crystal champagne flute felt cold in Annis Myers's hand. It was supposed to be a celebration, their nine-year anniversary party. The penthouse buzzed with the laughter of Dominick's friends, the clinking of glasses, and the low thrum of music.

But the party had ended for Annis the moment Dominick Reyes walked in.

He wasn't alone. On his arm was Chastity Daugherty, his new junior analyst, her hand resting possessively on her swollen belly. The pregnancy was obvious.

Chastity was glowing. Dominick was smiling, a king in his castle. He brought her straight to Annis.

"Annis, darling," Dominick said, his voice smooth and casual, as if he were discussing the weather. "Chastity is feeling a bit tired. She'll be staying with us from now on."

Annis stared at him, her face a blank mask.

He continued, oblivious or just not caring. "You can move your things to the guest room. And make sure Chastity has everything she needs. She's carrying my son, after all. Be a good hostess."

His words hung in the air, each one a separate, deliberate blow.

A wave of nausea hit Annis, but she pushed it down. She had been preparing for this. For months, she had seen the signs-the late nights, the lingering scent of another woman's perfume, the growing distance in his eyes. She had hoped she was wrong. But she had prepared for the worst.

She gave a small, calm nod. Then she turned and walked toward their bedroom.

Behind her, she heard Dominick's friend, Jake, laugh. "See? What did I tell you? She's a doormat. Always has been."

Dominick's voice was full of arrogant amusement. "I'll give her three days. She'll cry in the guest room, then she'll be back to folding my shirts. Bet you a hundred bucks."

Their laughter followed her down the hall. Annis closed the bedroom door, her hands steady. She didn't pack. Everything was already packed. Two suitcases sat by the door, filled weeks ago. She picked up her purse.

She didn't spare a glance for the room they had shared for nine years. It wasn't her home anymore. It was just a cage.

As she walked out of the bedroom and toward the front door, she ignored the stunned faces of the party guests. Dominick saw her, and his smile faltered.

"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded, stepping in front of her.

"I'm leaving, Dominick." Her voice was quiet but firm.

He scoffed. "Don't be dramatic. Go to the guest room and cool off."

"No."

He grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her skin. "Take off that bracelet."

His gaze fixed on the delicate, valuable platinum chain on her wrist. It wasn't just jewelry; it was her mother's only legacy to her. The memory was sharp and painful: her mother, on her deathbed, placing the cool metal into Annis's hand. She had made Dominick promise, right then and there, that he would cherish and protect Annis for the rest of his life. With this single, cruel demand, he was not just taking a piece of jewelry; he was shattering that sacred vow completely.

"Why?" she asked, her voice still level.

"Chastity has been having nightmares," he said, his expression turning cold. "She says it's because she feels guilty about you. Seeing that on your wrist will only make it worse. She needs it more than you do."

The cruelty of it was breathtaking. He wanted to strip her of everything, even this final, sacred memory. Annis looked past him, at Chastity, who was watching with a small, triumphant smile. That look, combined with the ghost of Dominick's broken promise, gave her a final, chilling strength.

She looked Dominick in the eye. "You're right. She does need it."

Annis walked over to Chastity. She unclasped the bracelet from her own wrist. "I wish you and the baby well," she said softly, her voice devoid of emotion.

She held the precious chain out to Chastity. But instead of taking it, Chastity's hand shot out and snatched it. With a malicious smirk, she deliberately and forcefully slammed the bracelet against the sharp corner of a glass table.

There was a sickening crack. The platinum chain snapped, and the priceless diamond at its center fractured. The pieces of the shattered heirloom scattered across the floor. One tiny shard of metal flew up, nicking Chastity's arm.

A thin line of red appeared on her skin.

"Oww!" Chastity shrieked, clutching her arm. "My baby! She hurt me! She's trying to hurt my baby!"

Dominick's face contorted with rage. He rushed to Chastity's side, examining the tiny scratch as if it were a fatal wound.

"Are you okay, sweetheart? Is the baby okay?" he cooed, ignoring Annis completely.

Annis almost laughed. The scene was so absurd, so perfectly Dominick. She remembered her own pain, her own loss, and his complete indifference. The contrast was a bitter pill.

Dominick whirled on her, his eyes blazing. "What the hell is wrong with you? Look what you did!"

He grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her forward. "Apologize. Now."

His grip was like iron. He forced her down to her knees. The impact sent a sharp pain through her kneecaps as they hit the marble floor. He looked down at her, his face filled with disgust.

"You always have to make a scene, don't you?" he hissed. "Apologize to Chastity."

Annis looked up at him. She had apologized for nine years. For his moods. For his mistakes. For existing in his world.

This would be the last time.

She turned her head to Chastity, who was now being tended to by a frantic Dominick.

"I'm sorry," Annis said, her voice a dead monotone. "Is that good enough for you?"

Dominick's face flushed with anger at her tone. "You little-"

Just then, the paramedics he must have called in his panic burst through the door. Dominick immediately dropped Annis, his attention snapping back to his pregnant mistress.

"She's pregnant! My son could be in danger!" he yelled, guiding them to the couch.

Annis slowly got to her feet, her knees aching. No one looked at her. No one cared.

She walked out the door without a backward glance. Outside, a black sedan was waiting, just as her old college friend, Haven Harper, had promised.

She got in the car and didn't look back.