"You fucking attacked her again?" he barked, shoving me away roughly. I toppled off the bed. Pain exploded along my side where the stitches tore. My bood ran warm and sticky on my gown.
"Owen! She had me shot—"
He cut me off with a cold laugh. "Stop! I caught the guy who shot you. He says you paid him to stage it. Do you hear me? You staged your own attack."
My hands went numb. "No, no, I would never—"
"Of course you would," he snapped. "You crave attention! You always have. You would do anything for it."
He leaned close, voice low and sharp. "How far will you go, Laura? You even hurt the woman carrying my children. You are dangerous."
I tried to tell him I did not do it. I tried to tell him the truth. But he already turned away. "Kelsey has a baby shower tonight. Be decent and help. Try to act human."
Kelsey stepped forward, all sweetness. "Don’t worry," she said, patting my arm like I was a stray dog. "I’ll save you a piece of cake."
They left together, shoulders brushing, the doctor closing the door behind them.
I sat there while my phone buzzing on the bedside table. Mr Harris.
I opened the message with fingers that felt foreign.
Divorce papers have been delivered.
…
When I got home, the house was full of laughter. Music, clinking glasses, people talking like life was perfect. Pink and blue ribbons hung on the walls, and a banner stretched across the room:
“Welcome Baby Jaxton and Jayden Ashford.”
It hit me then—today wasn’t just the baby shower for Kelsey’s twins. It was supposed to be my wedding anniversary too.
But there was no sign of it. No flowers. No card. Not even a glance from Owen that said he remembered I existed.
People turned when I walked in, voices dropping to whispers.
“There she is.”
“She still lives here? Poor thing.”
“I heard she can’t have kids anymore. No wonder Owen stays with Kelsey.”
I didn’t say a word. Just walked past like I didn’t hear them. My legs still hurt from the hospital, but I climbed the stairs anyway. I couldn’t stay there another second.
When I reached the master bedroom, my hand froze on the doorknob. The door was slightly open. Inside was pink curtains, baby clothes folded on the bed, framed photos of Kelsey and Owen smiling.
My room. My bed. My memories. Gone.
Kelsey had taken everything.
I stood there for a long time, then turned and went down the hall. The guest room was cold and smelled of dust, but I shut the door and lay down anyway. Maybe if I closed my eyes, the noise downstairs would disappear.
---
A few minutes later, the door slammed open. Owen stood there, still in his suit, face tight with anger. He threw a folded uniform at my face.
“Wear that. One of the waitresses didn’t show. You’ll serve food.”
I looked at him. For a moment, I almost asked why. But then I realized it didn’t matter. I picked up the uniform, my hands steady even though my chest felt hollow.
“Okay,” I whispered.
He hesitated. For a second, something flickered in his eyes but he turned away before it could stay.
“Just don’t cause trouble,” he muttered and left.
I changed quietly. The black uniform hung loose on me. I didn’t even look in the mirror before stepping out.
As I was walking toward the stairs, Kelsey’s voice floated up from below, all sweet and fake.
“Oh, Laura!“You’re helping tonight? That’s so kind of you.” Then she lowered her tone. “Could you give this to Owen? I need his signature to finalize a few things... you know, the house, the thirty cars, the five beach resort he gave me, and those new shops. You know how generous he is.”
I took the documents from her hand, glanced at them, then slid another paper beneath them: my divorce papers.
She blinked, surprised. “What’s this? You’re not even angry?”
I didn’t answer. I just gave her a faint, tired smile and walked away.
In Owen’s study, he was talking on the phone. When he saw the papers, he took them without question and started signing.
“All this for Kelsey?”
He didn’t look up. “Yeah. She deserves it.”
His pen didn’t stop moving. Not once.
And just like that, without even realizing, he signed everything her properties… and our divorce.
---
By the time the guests arrived, the whole place looked like some rich people palace. Lights everywhere, fancy food on every table, people laughing like their lives were perfect. Kelsey was in the center of it all, glowing like she owned the entire world.
I stood at the back, in my black uniform, trying to look small.
Mrs Ashford walked in like the house belonged to her alone, pearls, perfume, and judgment filling the room.
She saw me and her face twisted.
“Why is that woman here, Owen? I told you I don’t want her stepping in this house again.”
Owen didn’t even look up from adjusting Kelsey’s shawl.
“We’re out of staff, Mom.”
Mrs Ashford laughed.
“Well, she does look better in that uniform. Go, get me my drink.”
I didn’t argue. I just nodded and went to fetch it. My hands shook a little, but I didn’t let myself feel anything.
When I came back, Kelsey suddenly slid her foot out just as I walked past. I stumbled. The tray tipped. The wine splashed right onto Mrs Ashford.
She screamed like I stabbed her.
“You ruined everything. Again. Just like how you ruined your own child’s life. No wonder the baby died. And now look at you. Barren, useless, clumsy. You can’t even carry a drink.”
Her words hit harder than the fall. My throat tightened.
Kelsey rushed in, acting shocked, acting worried.
“Oh Mom, please don’t be angry. She’s been through a lot. It’s not her fault. Just forgive her. My sister is trying.”
The room went quiet.
My sister.
She said it like she was some saint.
Mrs Ashford softened immediately, her gaze melting as she turned to Kelsey.
“See, this is why I adore you. You’re kind, pure, patient. Why can’t you be like her, Laura?”
My chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe.
I wiped my face, stood up slowly, and looked straight at Kelsey.
“Kind?” I said, my voice shaking. “You want me to be like her? The same woman who took my husband, my home, and my baby? The same woman who lied about being sick so Owen would take my son’s stem cells? The same woman who let my child die so she could get better?”
Gasps exploded around us.
Kelsey blinked, her smile cracking just enough for me to see the truth under it.
Mrs Ashford glared at me, furious.
“Stop lying. Kelsey would never harm a child!”
“She already did,” I said. “Mine.”
Owen stepped in then, jaw tight, eyes cold.
“What the fuck are you doing? This is Kelsey’s day. Don’t ruin it with your nonsense.”
My hands shook, but I didn’t look away.
“You don’t even remember what today is, do you.”
He frowned.
“What now.”
“Our anniversary.”
Laughter broke out from the guests. Mrs Ashford smirked proudly. Kelsey hid behind Owen’s arm like she was scared.
Kelsey suddenly grabbed her belly and let out a piercing scream that echoed through the whole hall.
“Ah! My stomach—” she cried, doubling over. “Owen! It hurts! My babies, oh my god—”
People froze. Music stopped. Every head turned.
Owen rushed toward her instantly.
“Kels! What’s wrong? What happened?!”
“I… I just remembered… earlier… I saw Laura standing near my drink. I—I thought she was just fixing the glasses but… what if she put something in it? I don’t know but oh god, what if she wanted to hurt my babies?”
The room exploded.
