Revenge Gone Wrong

I was too afraid to get too close. Then, a voice I recognized drifted over—it was Quentin's buddy, Felix Jefferson.

"The Grant women were a piece of cake to fool, huh?" he taunted. "I thought we'd get some pushback, but everything went down smoothly. But then again, you nailed the acting. I bet Winnie still thinks you're just some regular office worker who saved up forever for those three cruise tickets!"

Felix cracked up.

His words made me dig my nails into my palms. The pain felt like a sharp stab to my heart. Then I heard Quentin's voice.

"The Grants always acted like they're above everyone, didn't they? Look at them now, knocked so low that it's not even fun getting back at them. Veronica probably wouldn't last much longer anyway. The real gut punch for her is knowing her precious daughter's carrying my kid."

I instinctively rested my hand on my slightly rounded belly. It turned out that the baby I'd welcomed with so much joy was nothing but a pawn in their game.

"Winnie's quite pretty," Felix said. "When you're done with her, do you mind letting me have a turn?"

His disgusting words snapped me back to reality.

Quentin's voice grew cold. "She's my wife. Don't ever joke about that. I don't find it funny."

I almost felt a sense of relief, but I hated myself for it right away. How could I feel relieved about anything in a situation like this?

I quietly slipped out of the hallway. When I spotted an attendant, I quickly asked him where the medical center was. Once I got the directions, I rushed there as fast as I could.

The cruise's medical center was small, and when I barged in, there was only one doctor. I rushed over to him and mentioned Mom's name. He pointed me to a closed door.

I flung the door open and saw Mom lying in bed with an oxygen mask over her face. Tears immediately blurred my vision. I dropped to my knees beside her, feeling completely drained.

Her eyes were shut, and her fingertips resting on the bed were ice-cold. I grabbed her hand tightly, so overwhelmed with worry that I didn't even notice anyone else walking in.

Suddenly, I felt a foot press down on my calf, sending a sharp pain through my body. I cried out in pain. Then, I heard Quentin's voice come from above me.

"Your mom's life is in my hands now. We're at least three days from port, so you know what you need to do."

Pushing through the pain, I turned to him, knelt down, and gripped his pant leg. My voice cracked as I begged him.

"What do you want me to do? Quentin, I'm begging you—please help my mom! Her heart condition is really bad. She's already had two surgeries. Take your revenge on me if you have to, but please, let my mom go!"

I couldn't make out his expression. My knees throbbed with pain from kneeling on the hard wooden floor.

He grabbed a handful of my hair, jerked my head up, and slapped my cheek with his other hand in a mocking way.

"Revenge on you?" he sneered. "You're nothing. As long as you keep doing what I want, I'll keep dangling your mom's life over your head. Letting her die peacefully is too easy for her."

I couldn't remember how I made it back to our cabin. Quentin had brought me inside, locked the door, and left.

I sat on the bed, feeling numb. When I finally looked down, I saw a bright red stain on my pants. I stared at it, forcing a wry smile.

Just a week ago, a slight pain in my belly had sent me rushing to the hospital to check on my baby. But now, I desperately wished it would just fade away like the blood.

All the love I'd felt for it vanished instantly, replaced by something dark and bitter.

After cleaning the bloodstain, I sat by the small cabin window, staring out at the endless ocean, feeling lost and helpless.