Benedict’s jaw tightened, his grip on the phone turning his knuckles white. He and Quinn had barely touched each other since the night I caught him.
His voice was like ice when he called her. "Where are you?"
Silence. Then, a soft, hesitant voice. "Benedict… did you get my message?"
"Of course, I did. Answer my question. Where are you?
The woman on the other end hesitated before letting out a bitter laugh. "Aren’t you happy? We’re having a baby."
Benedict let out a harsh, humorless chuckle. "Are you sure it’s mine?"
"You’re the only one I’ve been with! You know that."
His fingers drummed against his desk impatiently. "Then get rid of it."
My breath caught in my throat. I knew Benedict was ruthless, but hearing the words so casually spilled from his lips made my stomach twist in disgust. This was the man I had once thought I loved.
The woman on the other end let out a strangled gasp, her voice trembling with fury. "No! This is your child! I won’t—"
Benedict’s expression remained unreadable as he cut her off. "You have two choices. Either you take care of it yourself, or I handle it for you."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Then, a quiet, broken whisper. "I won’t let you take this child away from me. I’ll raise them alone. And they will never know who their father is."
Benedict hung up without another word. He tossed the phone onto the desk, exhaling sharply as he ran a hand through his dark hair.
I stepped back from the doorway before he could sense me. My hands were shaking. I didn’t know what terrified me more—the fact that he had cheated, or the fact that he was willing to dispose of the consequences so easily.
I had to get out.
The next morning, as I sat at the restaurant table, Jane chatted idly beside me, but I barely heard her. My mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of last night over and over. Benedict had left after the phone call, and he hadn’t returned until dawn.
"Felicia? Are you even listening?" Jane nudged me playfully.
I forced a small smile. "Sorry, I didn’t sleep well."
She raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. "So, about that job interview… You’re seriously applying to work for Blackwood Pack?"
I nodded. "Yes. It’s the best opportunity I have."
Jane looked at me like I had lost my mind. "Felicia, you do realize Elias Blackwood is Benedict’s biggest rival, right?"
"I know."
"And you’re okay with that?"
I hesitated before nodding again. "Benedict has no say in what I do anymore."
Jane let out a low whistle. "Damn. You’re really done with him, huh?"
I didn’t answer. Instead, I finished my coffee and stood. "I should go. I don’t want to be late."
By the time I arrived at Blackwood Pack’s headquarters, my nerves were on edge. The building was sleek and modern, far different from the old-world elegance of Benedict’s estate. It felt like a fresh start—like walking into a new future I never thought I’d have.
The interview went smoothly—better than I had expected. When I stepped outside, my phone buzzed. Jane called.
"How’d it go?" she asked the moment I answered.
"I think it went well. They said they’d get back to me within a few days."
"That’s amazing! So what’s next?"
"I need to find an apartment."
"Felicia…" Her voice softened. "Are you sure you’re ready?"
I swallowed hard. "I don’t have a choice. If I stay, I’ll never be free."
That night, as I packed my things, Benedict was not at home as he was busy with his business travels, so I took my time to make my escape while he was away.
But then, my phone rang. It was Benedict, and I had no choice but to answer.
"Where are you now?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.
I turned slowly. "I'm home, just resting."
His tone was unreadable. "Hmm… good. Just rest and wait for me to come home. I have gifts for you."
I let out a dry laugh. "For what? I don’t remember any special occasion."
"Honey, you forgot our wedding anniversary." He scoffed.
"Oh, that? Sorry, but I have too much on my mind to even think about celebrating."
He sighed. "Felicia, I know you're still mad at me, but give me a chance to make this right."
My expression soured. "Do you think it's that easy for me to forget? Come on, Benedict, give me some space. Let me breathe."
Benedict exhaled sharply. "Don't tell me you're planning to walk away, Felicia. Remember, I pay for your grandmother’s life support," he threatened.
I gulped, but I refused to let fear control me. "Stop blackmailing me, Benedict. If you put my grandma in danger, everyone will know that you cheated on me and have a child with your mistress," I retorted.
I ended the call and continued walking away from this miserable place. By the time he got home, there would be no trace of me left.
As I stepped into the night, I felt a strange sense of relief.
For the first time in a long time, I was free.
