Empty Promises, Full Pockets

Neil didn't seem to realize that when he was nervous, his fingers always fidgeted at the edge of his shirt.

I smiled faintly. "I'm visiting a friend. She's hospitalized."

Relief washed over his face. "Where are you headed? I'll drive you."

"No need. You're busy. It's your employee, after all. Can't have rumors spreading that the Schmidt family mistreats staff. If she miscarried, well, that'd be on us, wouldn't it?"

Neil froze, caught off guard, but I didn't wait for his response. I turned and walked out.

Once outside, I gulped down a deep breath of fresh air. By the time I got home, I didn't hesitate—I packed up every last one of Neil's things and had them sent straight to that villa.

This was my house. My turf. If someone had to leave, it wasn't going to be me.

An hour later, Neil stormed in, his face flushed and frantic. He found me in the kitchen, calmly setting down a bowl of soup.

"Angela, I can explain!" he blurted, his voice desperate.

I looked up at him. "Neil, did you know? I've given you three chances.

"The first time was the day you came back from Ardenport. You had a mark on your neck. I asked about it, and you said it was from a stray cat.

"The second time, I told you I wanted a divorce because I didn't want you to be childless. You swore up and down you didn't care about kids, that you only wanted me.

"And the third time was today. You claimed she's just an employee—that you're such a good boss, you couldn't sit back and do nothing."

I sighed softly. "Neil, I'm not generous enough to sit back and watch my husband build another home outside of ours.

"Neil, we're done."

"No!" Neil panicked, his hands grabbing me.

"Angela, I love you! She's a mistake. Mom's already agreed—we'll keep the baby, but I'll send her away! Once she gives birth, I'll make sure she's gone. She won't interfere with us. You'll always be Mrs. Schmidt!"

I patted his shoulder and pushed myself out of his grip. Calmly, I handed him the document I'd prepared. "I don't trust you. Not unless you transfer all your assets to me."

His eyes darted to mine, but I kept going. "I have no children—just you. But you? You've got a kid and another family waiting for you outside. How am I supposed to believe anything you say?"

Neil stared at the agreement in silence, the seconds dragging out. Finally, his voice came hoarse and shaky. "Pulling that much money out of the company... it might not be appropriate."

"Then let's just get a divorce, Neil," I said, cool as ever. "I don't tolerate betrayal. You can't bear to lose me, and you can't bear to lose your money either. But you can't have it both ways."

I slid the divorce papers across the table.

Neil didn't even glance at them. He just ripped them apart. "I'll agree! I'll give it all to you!" he said, holding me tightly. "Angela, I won't let you down. Once she gives birth, this will all be over."

Over? I almost laughed in his face.

Neil was so naive it was almost sad. Cecelia came from nowhere—someone like Neil was the best shot she'd ever get, and she wasn't letting go of him anytime soon. Getting pregnant, wrecking someone's marriage, posting smug little hints all over social media? She was playing for keeps.

To my surprise, Neil actually moved fast. Three days later, he brought in a lawyer and transferred everything to me.

He even added an extra 10% of the company shares. When word got out, the whole hospital buzzed with gossip.

Neil had barely finished signing when his phone rang. "Angela," he said, half out the door already, "there's an emergency at the company. I'll come back and spend time with you once it's handled."

"Go ahead," I said sweetly, practically ushering him out.

The second he left, I grabbed my bag and headed straight to the hospital.

Before my procedure, I made a point to stop by Cecelia's room.

She was curled up in Neil's arms, tears streaking down her face. "Neil, I'm scared. Are you going to leave me?"

He stroked her back like she was some fragile thing. "Don't be afraid, Cece. I won't leave you. This is my first child—you're his mother. No one can separate us."

The words cut deeper than I expected. I thought I was numb to this.

'Neil, you really think you can have it all, huh?'

On the operating table, the doctor's voice was steady but firm. "The procedure is about to begin. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. I'm sure," I replied. "Go ahead."

This child? I didn't want it anymore.

And the father? I didn't want him either.