Chapter five

Dahlia's POV

I awoke to a loud noise from downstairs and immediately knew something was going on. Standing up from the bed, I quietly walked to the door and peeked outside, only to find nothing. With tentative steps, I headed to the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest.

For some reason, I felt like whatever was happening had everything to do with me, even though I didn't know what it was. A chill settled deep in my bones as I moved, a terrible feeling gnawing at me.

I could make out two voices; one of them was unmistakably Alice's, and the other belonged to Ethan’s younger sister, Maxine. She’d been terrorizing me all year, but only once or twice a month. She was just here a few days ago, so what was she doing back already?

I wasn’t curious. I already knew that whatever chaos was unfolding downstairs would end up being dumped on my head. A sigh escaped me, but I continued down the stairs, the sound of blood rushing in my ears as my heart hammered in my chest. 

I knew I wouldn’t like this. Not at all.

Bracing myself for the worst, I reached the bottom of the staircase and decided to stay hidden, quietly observing the commotion in front of me.

Ethan stood by the wall, his arms crossed, a paper dangling from one of his hands as he stared straight ahead. His usually expressionless face had morphed into something uglier, making my gut clench. That was a bad sign, a very bad sign.

In front of him stood both Maxine and Alice, their shrill voices trying to pierce through his calm demeanor, but it seemed like he could barely hear them. That wasn’t good, either.

“I already told you she was a whore from the beginning, but you didn’t believe me. Weren’t you starting to tolerate her just recently? Now look at what she’s done!” Maxine snapped, gesturing wildly at the paper in his hand while glaring at him.

Alice hadn’t expected that and fumed beside her. I tried to piece together what they were talking about, and then it dawned on me. Of course.

My hand flew to my mouth, trying to stifle a gasp, but I was still loud enough for them to hear. Maxine and Alice turned sharply toward me, making me grimace. This was either going to end up bloody or with me begging again —just like always.

But today, I didn’t want to beg. Today, I wanted to stand up for my baby against these cruel people who wanted nothing more than to see me broken at their feet. I wouldn’t let that happen. 

Not anymore. I was done listening to them tear me down like I was worthless.

Before they could come for me, I stepped forward with my head held high. I saw their faces falter at my defiance, but they quickly resumed what they did best, bullying me.

“We were just talking about the whore living in this house, and here she is. Hello,” Maxine mocked, waving her hand in front of me.

I didn’t look away from Maxine, meeting her eyes with a challenge. I was done with them, once and for all. Besides, I was leaving in two weeks, no harm in leaving earlier than planned, right? Mr. Caine would definitely understand.

“I don’t know this whore you’re talking about. My name is Dahlia Caine,” I replied, crossing my arms beneath my already sensitive breasts.

Maxine’s mouth fell open, and she took a step back as if I had struck her. A surge of power coursed through me, and from the corner of my eye, I could see Alice and Ethan staring. Alice looked just as stunned, while Ethan remained expressionless.

“Are you talking to me like that?” Maxine’s voice trembled with fury, her face flushing.

“Yeah. Who else?” I raised an eyebrow, my hazel eyes steady and challenging. I was ready for whatever hit came next.

“Wow!” Alice exclaimed from behind, eyes wide as if I had grown a second head.

Maxine turned to Ethan, pointing a finger at me. “Can you see that, Ethan? Can you see the audacity of this whore? She’s grown so used to the luxury you’re offering her that she’s talking back to me.”

I kept my face impassive and calmly walked over to Ethan, reaching for the paper in his hand. He refused to let it go, his deep blue eyes locked on mine, darker than usual. Was he angry? Why?

He stepped forward, invading my personal space, but I refused to back down. Not this time. Not today.

“Whose baby is this?” he asked, his voice eerily calm, sending a shiver through me. God, I loved this man.

Swallowing hard, I closed my eyes for a moment, making my decision. I couldn’t tell him this baby was his; he had no idea what had happened that night. Only Maria knew, and that’s how it would stay.

“From a one-night stand I had,” I answered, my face composed, my eyes wide open so he could see I wasn’t lying.

“One night stand?” He echoed in disbelief, and I nodded. “And you acted like a fucking doting little wife around me? One who wouldn’t look at another man? What was with the fucking innocence?”

“All an act. I told you I know about women like her. She’s a low-class bitch, and she’s admitted it herself now,” Alice interjected, stepping up beside Ethan with a triumphant smile.

“Let’s get this straight, Ethan. Our marriage is one of convenience, and I never stopped you from having your flings —” I shot a nasty look at Alice, “—and I am a woman with needs. So, I went out to satisfy them. How is that wrong? You’ve always thought I was beneath you and never looked at me like you wanted me. I get it. I really do.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but I stopped him, pressing my index finger against his lips, those lips I’d kissed, those lips that tasted of whiskey and took me to heights I’d never been before.

They were so plump and soft. I’d gotten lost in them throughout the night, and the thought of never tasting them again sent angry frissons down my spine. I wanted to continue living with him forever.

“I’m not finished yet,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes.

I swallowed hard. “You know the mistake I made when I agreed to marry you? Letting my heart fall in love with your heartless soul. I was naive, hoping things would change, but they never did. And do you know what’s worse? That I fell in love with you.”

I could see how my confession affected him, but it didn’t matter now. He’d sealed our fate by being a jerk from the start. He didn’t want me. I wasn’t his type, as he’d told me many times, and I’d accepted that.

There was no future for me in his life. He would probably marry Alice as soon as I was gone.

And then there was our baby’s life. I needed to protect our child. This was no place for us. They all wanted me gone, and I wasn’t going to waste another second waiting for him to love me or even notice me.

“Goodbye, Ethan Caine.” With that, I grabbed the paper from his hand and rushed upstairs. Once I reached my room, I collapsed on the bed and read the paper. I was exactly two months pregnant.

I packed my clothes and everything that mattered to me, even the shirt I’d stolen from Ethan’s room the night we’d slept together. I tucked it deep inside my suitcase and called Andrew Caine to tell him about the situation.

I didn’t mention the baby was Ethan’s. I just told him I was leaving for good and didn’t want the final payment. I’d be fine on my own.