Chapter 3 - The Unanswered Question
Vanessa shifted uncomfortably in her expensive gold silk dress. She glared at the broken glass on the marble floor, then looked up at the pregnant waitress, the sickening realization of their history finally dawning on her. Vanessa crossed her arms, waiting for Grant to defend her, but Grant was completely paralyzed.
Emily took a slow, deep, shuddering breath. Her swollen stomach pressed against the fabric of her black apron.
Nine months ago, Grant had thrown a set of divorce papers on their kitchen table. He told her she was too soft for his world, too weak for his empire. He had kicked her out of their penthouse with nothing but a suitcase, completely unaware that she had a positive pregnancy test sitting in the bathroom trash can.
Emily refused to show weakness to the man who had abandoned her to the wolves. She ignored his personal, trembling question completely.
"Would you prefer sparkling or still water, sir?" Emily asked, her tone polite, freezing, and entirely professional.
Grant swallowed hard, a massive, suffocating lump forming in his throat. He looked at her exhausted face, the dark circles under her eyes. Then, his gaze slowly dropped downward.
He looked past her swollen stomach. He looked at her feet.
Emily was wearing cheap, heavily worn black non-slip work shoes. The soles were peeling. The laces were frayed.
The reality of her brutal struggle hit the ruthless mafia boss like a physical blow to the chest.
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"Still," Grant whispered, his voice quiet and deeply strained.
👉 What massive secret is Emily hiding about the baby that could destroy Grant's entire empire?
