He Called Me a Monster. I Walked Into His Gala and Took Back My Name.

The office door stood slightly open.

I was about to knock when Cassidy spoke.

"Did you see the invitations?"

Her voice was sweet with amusement.

Preston chuckled.

"The backless dress requirement?"

"Of course. I made sure the event team included the wording exactly as I approved it."

A pause.

Then she laughed again.

"That deformed woman would never dare show her burned skin beside me."

My breath stopped.

Cassidy continued, "Can you imagine Vivian walking into a ballroom full of photographers with that hideous back exposed? She'd rather disappear."

I pressed one hand against the wall.

Inside the office, I heard the rustle of clothing.

Then Preston answered.

"She won't come."

Cassidy sounded pleased.

"Good. Because I'm tired of pretending she belongs beside you."

I moved closer to the narrow opening.

Through it, I could see Cassidy standing between Preston's knees as he sat on the edge of his desk.

His hands rested on her waist.

Her fingers stroked his collar.

The intimacy was so familiar that I knew immediately this hadn't started recently.

Then she took his hand and placed it against her stomach.

"The baby deserves better than being hidden," she whispered. "Our baby deserves a legitimate last name."

For one terrible second, the entire hallway seemed to tilt.

A baby.

Preston was going to be a father.

And I was finding out by listening through an office door.

Cassidy leaned closer.

"It's time to get rid of her, Preston."

My husband didn't look frightened.

He didn't pull away.

He smiled.

"Don't worry. Without me, Vivian is nothing."

The words cut deeper than I expected.

He continued, "She's a damaged woman clinging to my status. Once my equity stake is confirmed, I'll give her the divorce papers myself."

Cassidy kissed him.

"And you'll finally be free."

Preston laughed.

"Exactly. She can spend the rest of her life hiding those scars in some miserable apartment."

I watched him pull Cassidy against his chest.

Then he kissed her with a hunger I hadn't felt from him in years.

My stomach turned.

There had been a time when that mouth whispered promises against my hospital pillow.

A time when he told me my scars would never change the way he loved me.

Now he was discussing how to discard me as soon as his financial future was secure.

I stepped away before either of them could see me.

The corridor was quiet.