He Took the Pain With Him When He Left Chapter 05

He Took the Pain With Him When He Left Chapter 05

The officer told me to hand over the knife. I didn’t resist.

As the blade dropped into the evidence bag, Serena leaned into Derek’s arms. A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

She’d won.

From the mall to tonight, she’d counted on Derek choosing her every single time. She’d also counted on the fact that the moment I fought back, they’d brand me as the crazy one. Before I left, I looked at Hart. “Collect all the bodycam footage from tonight.”

Derek’s expression shifted. Serena cried harder.

“Vivian, are you going to threaten me with videos too? You’ve already terrified me. Why can’t you just let me go?”

I ignored her and followed the officers.

At the station, before I’d even finished my statement, the internet had already exploded.

Serena posted the two marriage certificates. The caption was simple:

[I never wanted to hurt anyone. But I can’t let my husband and child live under threat.]

Derek reposted it.

[Serena and I have been legally married for three years. Vivian has been impersonating my wife and harassing my family. Tonight she broke into our home with a weapon. I will pursue this legally.]

—

The video from the mall—my soaked dress, ruined makeup, my humiliated face—circulated again.

But this time, they weren’t mocking me for leaking.

They were calling me the other woman.

“No wonder he was laughing at her. He was sick of her all along.”

“A mistress showing up at the wife’s door? Where does she get the nerve?”

“Seven months pregnant and she still couldn’t force the marriage. She must be desperate.”

Even the chili water was spun as a stunt I’d planned myself.

Someone dug up Vance Group’s address. Someone sent death threats and hate mail to our customer service. Others threatened to vandalize our office building and run us out of Crestwood.

My father called. His voice sounded older.

“Vivian, some people on the board are using this as an excuse to attack us. Hawthorne claims we’re sabotaging them. The banks are asking about project risks. Don’t worry about the company. I can handle it.”

I could hear people calling out to him in the background. He hung up quickly, but not before saying:

“Don’t be scared. Even if Vance Group loses everything, I won’t let them hurt you.”

My eyes burned. I tried to speak, but a sharp pain tore through my

—

stomach.

Warm blood ran down my legs and pooled beneath the chair.

The officer on duty went pale. “You’re bleeding!”

Derek was in the next room. He heard the commotion and rushed out.

I gripped the corner of the desk, barely able to stand. I grabbed his sleeve without thinking.

“Derek. The baby…”

It was the first time in seven months I’d asked him for anything.

But Serena clutched her stomach and fell into his arms.

“Derek, my stomach hurts too.”

He didn’t hesitate. He lifted her up.

As he passed me, he said, “Serena’s been badly frightened tonight. The baby she’s carrying can’t afford anything else to happen. You’ve always been healthy. Go to the hospital with the ambulance first. I’ll come as soon as I’ve settled things with her.”

His figure disappeared through the door.

The officer steadied me as I swayed. “You’re like this and he’s going to her?”

I couldn’t even answer.

In my head, I answered for him. Because Serena was his legal wife. And I was nothing.