“She just gave birth—her stepfather and stepfather are handing her the divorce papers, unaware that she’s secretly a billionaire!” The metallic scent of blood and disinfectant hung in the air of the hospital room. Valentina Rodriguez clutched her newborn son, Leo, to her chest; the tiny heart beat steadily beneath the white blanket. Her hands trembled—not from weakness, but at the bedside, in the middle of the happiest day of her life, stood four men who had turned her world into a nightmare: her husband, Christopher, her parents, Margaret and William, and the other woman—Jessica. Jessica was dressed for a cocktail party, not a hospital. Her diamond earrings sparkled under the fluorescent lights, her smile both sweet and toxic. On her finger glittered Margaret’s wedding band. “Signature,” he hissed, and tossed a stack of papers onto Valentina’s lap. “You’ve already taken enough from our family.” Christopher said nothing. He didn’t even dare look at her. Valentina glanced at the divorce papers, then at her crying baby. Her pulse pounded wildly in her ears. “W-what is it?” he asked, his voice trembling. Margaret smiled sarcastically. “Your freedom.” You’re nobody, you came out of nowhere. You trapped our son with this pregnancy, but now it’s over. Christopher deserves better. She deserves Jessica. Jessica stepped forward and held up her hand. “You’ve already chosen me,” he said softly, holding out the ring. “He gave it to me last week.” Then he pulled out his phone—and the pictures hit him harder than any slap. Christopher and Jessica kissing in a restaurant. Holding hands in Paris. Sleeping in a hotel room. Valentina’s body language mirrored William’s voice. “Sign the papers.” “Grab $50,000 and disappear. The baby stays with us.” She hugged Leo tightly, her heart breaking. “You can’t marry my son.” But Margaret stepped forward and reached out to the newborn. Valentina screamed, “No!” and the baby began to cry. Hospital security burst in.
The metallic smell of blood and disinfectant hung in the air of the hospital room. Valentina Rodriguez kissed her newborn son, Leo; his little heart was beating steadily under the white blanket. Advertisement. Her hands were trembling—not from weakness, but from disbelief. For at the foot of her bed, in the middle of the … Read more
