As they tore at my clothes and hit me, I managed to dial Brandon’s number, praying he would come save me.
The phone rang and rang, until he finally rejected the call.
Later, I found out he was busy picking Paula up from the airport because she had decided to make a surprise visit.
I was beaten, robbed, and left in the dirt. I had to drag my own bleeding body to the hospital. I lost my baby that night on a cold linoleum floor, all alone.
So right now? I didn't care anymore. The woman who loved Brandon died in that hospital.
After dropping my suitcase at my friend’s apartment tonight, I decided to go to a high-end lounge downtown. Not to drown my sorrows, but to finally celebrate being untied from him.
I ordered a strong cocktail and drank, letting the burn soothe my throat.
"Celebrating something?" a deep, smooth voice asked.
I turned to see a strikingly handsome man sitting on the stool next to me. I didn't know it yet, but this was Vaughn—the ruthless CEO of the rival corporation that had been giving Brandon hell in the business world for the past year.
"My freedom," I replied, clinking my glass against his.
We talked and drank, the conversation flowing easily. For the first time in years, I felt like a normal woman.
I was so engrossed in the conversation that I didn't even realize Brandon and Paula had walked into the lounge.
"Victoria? Hi!" a sickeningly sweet voice chirped.
I turned around. Paula was standing there, clinging to Brandon's arm.
Brandon looked at me, his brows furrowed in deep displeasure, clearly shocked to see me out drinking instead of crying at home like I usually did.
"I'm so sorry," Paula continued, offering a fake, apologetic smile that didn't reach her eyes. "But I actually just paid for this entire bar to be closed off so Brandon and I can celebrate my return privately. Would you mind going out?"
Brandon crossed his arms, his posture arrogant.
He was waiting for my usual meltdown. He expected me to throw a drink, to scream, to beg him not to kick me out.
I just set my glass down and grabbed my purse. "Sure."
Brandon's arrogant expression faltered. He looked completely stunned, his arms dropping to his sides as he stared at my calm face.
Before the silence could stretch, the man next to me stood up, adjusting his expensive suit jacket. He looked down at me with a charming smile, completely ignoring Brandon and Paula.