It had been a week since Heather was admitted to the hospital. A full week. No visit from Caius, not even a text from anyone in her family.
She didn't know why it still hurt. After everything they'd done, she should've expected this. But she couldn't help it, she was human, it hurt.
Caius's accidental appearance,
Caius had shown up once—accidentally. The time he put her back in bed without a word, was the only acknowledgment he had given her. And even then, he didn't say a word or ask how she was, he just left. Like she was a chore. He was only there for Lauren. That much was clear.
He hated her. She could see it in the way he looked at her—when he even bothered to look at all. But Lauren? He loved Lauren. That much she couldn't ignore.
Lauren, who had pushed her down the stairs.
Did she know about the baby? Was that why she did it? To take everything away from her?
Heather had always known Lauren was cruel. But this… this was something else.
And when the nurse told her she'd lost the baby, she didn't cry. At first, she just stared. There was a strange, cold kind of relief buried deep beneath the numbness. She didn't have to make the choice anymore. She had wanted to run away with the child, to start over. But she also knew the weight that came with raising a child alone. The loneliness and questions. The rejection that would've eventually come from Caius.
Still… the guilt swallowed her whole. How could she even feel relief?
She hated herself for it.
But she hated them more. Lauren. Caius. Manager Min. All the people who walked over her like she was nothing.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Manager Min.
He was bragging about landing a deal Heather had discovered. One she'd built the strategy for, pitched, refined. He ignored her input, as always—but now, suddenly, it had gone through. And he was taking all the credit.
Of course.
Something didn't sit right with her. Something about the deal was… off.
...
A few days later, Heather was back home. Not much had changed around her, but inside, she felt hollow. She wasn't healing, just… existing.
That evening, she made dinner—Caius's favorite dish. She told herself it was for closure. A small, final goodbye. But she also hoped, foolishly, that he might show up. That maybe, deep down, he'd remember something about them, something worth holding onto.
She told him before he left that afternoon. Told him dinner would be ready. He didn't reply. He just looked at her for a second, blank as ever, then walked out.
Still, she waited. Sent a text, but he didn't reply, it showed that he saw it.
"Maybe he's in a place where he can't use his phone." Heather gave him the benefit of the doubt.
Hours passed and the food went cold.
When the front door finally opened, she stood up quickly. Her heart, traitorous, still fluttered.
"You're late," she said gently.
"I had other plans," he answered without looking at her, brushing past.
"I sent you a text," she tried again, her voice quiet. "I made your favorite. It's cold now but—"
"I don't text you. Why didn't you call?" he cut in, flat.
"You don't answer when I call," she replied, eyes on the floor.
"Oh."
Just that. Oh?
That was all he had to say?
Before she could respond, another voice cut through. "Where's that smell coming from?"
Heather's chest tightened. She watched as Lauren walked into the dining room, spotted the plates, and made herself comfortable—grabbing the portion Heather had made for herself.
"Oh my, is this it?" Lauren grinned. She didn't wait for permission before digging in. "Mmm. So good."
Heather took a step forward. "That's not yours."
Lauren just smiled, taking another bite. She was enjoying this, every second of it.
"Why is she here?" Heather asked, trying to stay calm.
"She's staying here for a while," Caius said from behind her.
Heather turned to him. "Why?"
"Why do you care?" he replied, voice cool. "You won't be living here much longer."
Lauren rested a hand gently on her stomach and gave Heather a look that made her blood run cold. "Plus, I need to eat more now," she said, voice sweet and poisonous.
Heather froze, her eyes dropped to Lauren's hand.
She was pregnant?
It hit like a slap. Her legs felt weak beneath her. Caius had cheated during their marriage. That's why he never wanted her baby. Why he tried to pay her off. He already had Lauren and now he had her baby too.
Heather felt the ground crumble beneath her. Every insult, every cold stare, every red flag she'd ignored came rushing back.
But she wouldn't cry. Especially not in front of them.
She turned to Caius. This man. This shell of the person she loves, he didn't deserve her. And one day, she knew, he'd realize what he lost.
"I told you," Lauren said suddenly, breaking the silence. "I'll take everything from you."
She laughed. That laugh. Sharp. Ugly. Cruel.
Heather didn't respond. She just walked away.
She went straight to Caius's office. The divorce papers were still sitting there. She placed them there.
She picked up the pen.
Signed.
A single tear hit the page, but she wiped it away. That was the last one.
Then she packed her things and walked out of the house.
Not even her house anymore, she was done.