Chapter 4
He didn’t even flinch. And that was the moment I knew—really knew—I meant nothing. Not anymore. “For now,” he said, barely looking at me, “stay away from Caroline. You need time to reflect.” I laughed. Actually laughed. A sharp, bitter thing that didn’t sound like it belonged to me anymore. “Take her to her room,” he snapped to the staff. “I don’t want her out until I say so.” A bodyguard reached for me. “Don’t touch me.” My voice was low. Frigid. I stood on my own. No one stopped me. — But being locked in a penthouse sounds glamorous until it’s because your billionaire husband wants you out of sight, out of mind. The gossip still found me. Whispered through cracks, sliding under doors, filtering in with every maid who forgot to shut her mouth properly. “Mr. Rodrigo stayed in Caroline’s suite again last night. Guess we know who really runs this place now.” “I heard Caroline was his first love. He only married Amelia because of her embryo. But some say because of family’s debt.” “Still, her kid died because of that stem cell transplant… and it wasn’t even enough to fix Caroline. Now Caroline’s pregnant with the heir? Amelia’s days are numbered.” I heard it all. Every word. But the worst part? I wasn’t even surprised anymore. The bitterness was just… dull now. Like the aftermath of a fire. Charred, empty, and silent. I caught one of the maids outside my room whispering, and when she turned, her eyes widened like she’d seen a ghost. “M-Mrs. Rodrigo…” She didn’t mean it. Not anymore. As she rushed off, she muttered something that hit harder than anything she’d said before. “Mr. Rodrigo said… from now on, the only Mrs. Rodrigo is Caroline.” That night, my body gave out. Fever. Chills. I could barely walk, but I still dragged myself downstairs to the in-house medical office. My vision was swimming. “Please,” I whispered, clutching the wall for balance. “I just need something for the fever. Anything.” The family doctor didn’t even meet my eyes. “I’m sorry, Miss Amelia. Mr. Rodrigo instructed us to prioritize Caroline’s needs. You’re no longer—” I didn’t hear the rest. I laughed, hollow and cracked, like something inside me finally gave up trying to pretend it was still whole. On the way back to my suite, I passed Caroline’s door. It was cracked open. I shouldn’t have looked. But I did. Inside, Favio was wrapped around her like she was oxygen. Hands on her body. Lips on her neck. “Easy, love,” she giggled. “We’ve got a billion-dollar baby in there.” “I know.” His voice was soft, adoring. “Our son. Our legacy.” I felt sick. But I couldn’t move. Then she said it. “I wonder if Amelia ever made those same noises. She seems… so boring.” He groaned, still pressed against her. “Don’t bring her up. She’s cold. Always was. Being with her was like kissing marble. I only married her because I had to.” I didn’t realize I was crying until I tasted salt. I bit down on my lip so hard I drew blood. The pain was nothing compared to what I felt inside. When I finally stumbled back to my room, I collapsed in bed, burning up and empty. The next morning, I messaged my brother. “I’m coming home.” His reply came quick. “Are you serious?! Amelia, this is the best news! Mom and Dad will be over the moon. I’ll book you a ticket right away.” He paused. “What about Favio?” “I’ll divorce him.” I lay back, eyes heavy, throat raw. It hurt to breathe. Then… the door creaked open. I didn’t need to guess. Caroline strolled in, all silk pajamas and smug confidence, one hand gently resting on her stomach. “You saw last night, didn’t you?” she purred. “Favio’s been sleeping in my bed for weeks now. And this baby? It’s his. His real legacy.” I didn’t answer. She walked over like she owned the place. “I know you’re not over the whole necklace thing, but… I did that on purpose. That little family heirloom? Smash. Just like that baby of yours.” My breath caught. “And here’s the kicker—when I told Favio that your baby’s stem cells might help me? He didn’t even blink. He chose me. He authorized the surgery himself. Personally signed off on it.” I felt my stomach twist, bile clawing its way up my throat. But Caroline smiled wider. Crueler. Then she leaned in, her voice silk-wrapped poison. “Only… there’s one tiny detail I forgot to mention.” She giggled. Actually giggled. “It was a lie.” I stared at her. “W-what?” She rolled her eyes like I was slow. “I paid the doctor to fake the report. Your embryo? Useless to me. It was never about that.” The room tilted. “I just… wanted to see,” she whispered, brushing imaginary dust off her designer sleeve. “If Favio would choose me over your child.” She grinned. “And he did. Without hesitation. Didn’t ask questions. Didn’t need proof. He was ready to kill your baby for me.” My breath caught. She stepped closer, voice sweet as rot. “So I win. Again.” “G-get out,” I said. My voice cracked, low and shaking. She tilted her head like she pitied me. “Poor Amelia. Always the backup plan.” “GET OUT!” I screamed, my throat burning. Caroline flinched—but just smiled, stepping back with one last look of pity. “I’d say I’m sorry… but I’m really not.” She closed the door behind her, and I collapsed against it the second it clicked shut. I really wanted to clawed her face but my body was betraying me. They didn’t just kill my child. They killed everything I ever believed in. And I was done pretending I wasn’t going to burn this empire to the ground. And as I sat there, surrounded by the wreckage of my faith, my love, my motherhood—I made a silent vow. They will pay. Every single one of them. Favio. Caroline. His wretched mother. The doctor who signed the lie. The guards who held me down. I would dismantle their dynasty piece by piece. I would ruin them the way they ruined me. No more tears. No more begging. The next time they saw me… it would be far too late. I wasn’t just going to survive this. I was going to make it a blood-stained legend