The Neglected Wife's Spectacular Comeback

Elaina Berger POV:

The next morning, the dining table was laden with a feast fit for a queen, all of it for Hollie. There was bird's nest soup for vitality, sea cucumber for fetal development, and a dozen other expensive, nourishing dishes. Mrs. Patton hovered over her like a hawk, personally spooning soup into her bowl.

"Eat up, dear," she cooed. "You're eating for two now. For the future of the Patton family."

Then she looked at me, her gaze sweeping over my simple plate of toast and coffee with disdain. "Some people are just born with better fortune. They know how to seize an opportunity."

I met her gaze, my face a mask of indifference, but inside, a cold fury was building. I looked at Brennan, expecting him to say something, to defend me. He just continued scrolling through his phone, completely oblivious, or perhaps, completely indifferent.

Hollie dabbed at her lips with a napkin, putting on a show of humility. "Mrs. Patton, please don't say that. It makes me feel terrible. Elaina is my best friend. If... if she really can't accept this, I'm willing to leave. I can raise the baby on my own."

It was a masterful performance. Mrs. Patton immediately took the bait.

"Nonsense!" she snapped, pulling a thick folder from her handbag and sliding it in front of Hollie. "This is the deed to a villa in the Hamptons. It's yours. A small token of our appreciation. You are not going anywhere."

Hollie' s eyes widened, her mask of humility replaced by undisguised greed. "Oh, Mrs. Patton... I couldn't possibly..."

"Of course you can," she said, patting Hollie's hand.

I couldn't watch anymore. I pushed my chair back and stood up, the sound scraping loudly in the suddenly silent room. "Excuse me," I said, my voice tight. "I have to get to the hospital."

Without another glance at the happy family, I walked out.

Back in my bedroom-our bedroom-I began to pack. Not clothes, not jewelry. I packed my medical textbooks, my research papers, my surgical journals. My entire life's work. I carefully placed the expensive gifts Brennan had showered me with on his side of the bed. The Starlight Diamond. The custom-made Patek Philippe watch. The keys to a vintage Aston Martin. They were hollow trophies from a life that was no longer mine.

My fingers brushed against a small, worn leather box. Inside was a silver locket, shaped like a heart. It wasn't expensive. He' d given it to me on our first anniversary. He' d told me it was enchanted, that as long as I wore it, his heart would always be with me. I remembered laughing, calling him a hopeless romantic. Now, the memory felt like a cruel joke.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Brennan's voice, sharp and angry, startled me. He was standing in the doorway, his eyes narrowed.

"I'm leaving," I said simply.

"Because of Hollie?" He scoffed, stepping into the room. "Don't be childish, Elaina. We've been over this. It's a practical arrangement."

"I'm not being childish," I said, my voice trembling despite my efforts to control it. "I'm angry. Can't you understand that? You lied to me. You and my best friend betrayed me in the worst way possible."

"Okay, you're angry. I get it," he said, his tone placating, as if speaking to a difficult child. "Take the island trip. Go shopping. Buy whatever you want. When you get back, the baby will be here, Hollie will be gone, and everything will be back to normal."

He tried to pull me into his arms, but I twisted away. "No."

He grabbed my arm, his grip surprisingly strong. "You're not going anywhere."

In the struggle, my hand hit the nightstand, knocking a drawer open. Brennan's eyes darted to the drawer, his face suddenly pale with panic. He let go of me and frantically began searching through the contents.

"Where is it? What did you do with it?" he demanded, his voice tight with fear.

He was looking for the pre-signed divorce agreement.

He thought I'd already filed it. He thought he'd lost control.

A slow, cold smile spread across my face. "I tore it up," I lied, my voice smooth as ice. My eyes met his, filled with a scorn I didn't bother to hide. "Why? Was it important?"

Just then, Hollie's timid voice came from the hallway. "Brennan? Are you okay? I heard shouting."

Brennan's head snapped toward the door. The panic on his face was replaced by irritation, but he immediately softened his tone. "I'm fine, Hollie. Go back to your room." He turned back to me, his eyes pleading. "Please, Elaina. Don't upset her. The stress is bad for the baby."

He ran a hand through his hair, then his eyes landed on the locket in my hand. He snatched it up.

"What are you doing?" I cried, reaching for it.

"Hollie's been feeling insecure," he said, not meeting my eyes. "This will cheer her up."

He walked out of the room, leaving me standing there, stunned. He was taking the one gift that had ever meant anything to me, the symbol of his supposed love, and giving it to her.

"Brennan, wait!" I followed him into the hall. He was already handing the locket to Hollie.

"Here," he said gently. "A little something to make you feel better."

Hollie gasped, her eyes shining as she took it. "Oh, Brennan, it's beautiful." She didn't recognize it. Of course she didn't. It was just another piece of jewelry to her.

Brennan didn't understand why I was so upset. He thought it was just a trinket. The memory, the meaning, the promise he' d made… it was all mine alone. He had forgotten.

He turned back to me, his duty done. "I've arranged a party for tomorrow night," he said, his voice back to its normal, charming tone. "To celebrate the pregnancy. You'll be there, by my side, smiling. We'll present a united front." He leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Hollie's feeling a bit overwhelmed. I'm going to stay with her for a while."

He disappeared into her room, closing the door behind him.

I stood in the silent hallway, the echo of his words ringing in my ears. A united front. A party. A celebration of my own personal hell.

I lay in our cold, empty bed that night, replaying every moment of our relationship in my head. I had been so blind. So stupid. He had never loved me. He had only loved the idea of me, the challenge of conquering me.

I would not attend his party. I would not stand by his side and smile.

I would divorce him. I would take my father, who was waiting for a heart transplant at the very hospital the Pattons owned, and we would disappear. We would start a new life, far away from the poison of this family.

The next day at the hospital, I started making arrangements. I filed for a leave of absence and began transferring my patients' care to my colleagues. I was in my office, sorting through my father's medical files, when the door opened without a knock.

Hollie sauntered in, a smug smile on her face. She was wearing the locket. My locket.

"Well, well," she said, leaning against my desk. "The great Dr. Berger, brought down to earth. Who would have thought?"

I ignored her, focusing on the papers in front of me. She was trying to get a reaction, and I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.