Black Opal’s Three Tests of True Love Chapter 04

I sat in a quiet café, compiling my personal network and reaching out to former classmates and connections in Paris.

Tears welled up and spilled onto the screen as I typed. I wasn’t even sad anymore; my body simply couldn’t contain the raw exhaustion and pain.

A shadow fell over my table.

A strikingly elegant woman stood over me.

Vivienne.

“We need to talk.”

I looked up, recognizing the face from the photo, but kept my expression blank.

“Who are you?”

She let out a condescending smirk.

“I’m Leandro’s fiancée. I’m pregnant, so can we have a seat and chat now?”

My fingers froze over the keyboard.

I’d never once doubted Leandro’s loyalty. We shared the same interests, and the chemistry between us was undeniable. He’d told me I was the only woman who made him feel completely at ease, no weight holding him back.

We could lounge on the sofa for hours talking about nothing, his eyes filled with that tender, reverent warmth. How could I have ever imagined a man like that straying?

Then again, what was truly impossible in their world?

An hour behind closed office doors was more than enough time. Hell, half an hour was plenty.

I looked up at her calmly.

“What’s your point?”

Vivienne rested her manicured hand over her lower abdomen, wearing a smug grin.

“I’m just reminding you that Leandro would never marry a shameless gold-digger. The only reason you lasted this long is because I was out of the country.”

The corner of my lips curled into a faint, mocking curve.

“Understood. Thanks for the heads-up.”

Her smug expression cracked, visibly thrown by my complete lack of a meltdown.

Ignoring her, I packed my laptop and headed straight for a private OB-GYN clinic across town.

Her mention of pregnancy suddenly reminded me that my period was weeks overdue.

Check-in, vitals, blood draw, and the agonizing wait for lab results.

Thirty minutes later.

The doctor reviewed the lab results and pushed up his glasses.

“Congratulations. You’re about six weeks pregnant.”

The air was sucked clean from my lungs. The sheer irony of it made me want to laugh hysterically.

“I… I’m not in a place to have a child right now.”

I lowered my gaze, unable to meet the doctor’s eyes. Having seen every excuse under the sun, he looked away and kept his tone clinical.

“Understood. I’ll prep you for the procedure.”

When the procedure was over, I walked out into the corridor pale as a ghost.

And right outside the exit, I ran straight into Alaric, who was heading toward Mom’s wing.

“Odessa?”

He strode over, his brow furrowing instantly.

“Why do you look like death?”

I threw together an offhand excuse.

“Just catching a bad cold.”

He looked me over, bought the lie, and let it go.

“Right. Leandro mentioned he’s throwing you a massive birthday bash. I’ll be there.”

He hesitated, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“Odessa, about the gifts Leandro gave you… maybe you should—”

“Should what?” I looked him dead in the eye.

Even at this very moment, a foolish part of me was waiting for him to step up and tell the truth.

To throw me a damn bone.

To not treat me like a laboratory rat forced to step on an electrified plate before realizing which button was off-limits.

He pressed his lips together, waving a dismissive hand.

“Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

That was the moment I stopped hoping he’d come clean. Crisp, quiet, and profoundly absurd.

When I stepped into Mom’s room, details I had previously been too blind to notice hit me in the face.

Why was the IV bag always filled with basic saline solution?

Why was the chalky paleness of her skin poorly blended foundation along her jawline?

In the past, I ran around caring for her by day, stroking Leandro’s ego by evening, and grinding out rideshare fares by night.

I was perpetually exhausted, my vision blurred by sleep deprivation. I never had the bandwidth to scrutinize them.

Lies were clumsy when you actually looked.

I caught the subtle, conspiratorial glances passing between her and Alaric, but didn’t bother calling them out.

“It’s getting late. I’m heading out.”

When Leandro returned that evening, he carried a velvet box containing a massive pink diamond ring.

“Like it?”

I nodded, painting a dazzling smile across my face.

“I love it.”

I slipped it onto my finger without a hint of refusal.

A flicker of distaste crossed Leandro’s face, and his tone turned cold.

“I’ll be in the study. Sleep on your own tonight.”

I knew exactly what he was thinking. Once again, I had proven myself to be an insatiable, money-hungry leech.

Watching his retreating back, I slipped the ring off my finger and tossed it straight into the trash can.

Garbage.

Early the next morning, Leandro pinged me the party details.

[Waiting for you.]

Alaric messaged right after.

[Happy birthday, little sis. Got something major to tell you at the party.]

I left both on read.

I took the positive pregnancy report and the termination discharge papers and left them flat on the stool inside the walk-in closet.

Walking out of Leandro’s penthouse for the last time, I carried only a handbag containing my passport and essential documents. Nothing that wasn’t mine came with me.

Then, without looking back, I headed straight for JFK Airport.

Their twisted little loyalty games were officially over.