Signed Into Ruin

Arriving home, Elara and Stephanie were seated in the living room.

“Hi,” I greeted as I walked past them, but neither of them responded.

I continued toward the bedroom, where I found Lucien on the bed, focused on his laptop, with Bianca sitting beside him.

“Mummy! Mummy!” she called out excitedly, running toward me and wrapping her arms around me.

“That’s my girl,” I said warmly, lifting her into my arms.

I turned my gaze to Lucien. “I see you’re busy.”

“Yes,” he replied briefly, his fingers continuing to move rapidly across the keyboard.

“Well, since it’s your birthday month, I was thinking we could do something meaningful this year,” I said, watching him closely.

“Which is?” he asked, still not looking up.

“A charity initiative under both our companies. It would make a strong impact,” I explained.

But his attention remained elsewhere.

I gently placed Bianca back on the bed and retrieved the documents from my bag.

“The idea just came to me, and I’d like us to always remember that we started this in the month of the love of my life,” I added, subtly concealing the true nature of the papers as I opened them to the pages requiring his signature.

“Here,” I said softly, handing them to him.

“What papers are these?” he asked, still typing.

“Corporate social responsibility pledges, donation approvals, and founder partnership agreements,” I replied smoothly.

“Fine. It’ll also give my company a good name,” he said, his tone indifferent but agreeable.

His company? He didn’t even acknowledge mine.

He picked up his pen and, without bothering to review a single page, began signing each document until he reached the last.

“Cheers to us… and the latest charity initiative,” I teased lightly as I collected the signed papers and returned them to my bag.

This is not a celebration of charity… this is a step closer to your downfall and my freedom.

The next day, I delivered the signed documents to Elliot.

“Once these are processed, we can proceed with the legal transfer,” he said, reviewing the files carefully. “Everything appears in order. I’ll finalize the necessary filings and prepare the confirmations.”

“Good,” I replied with a faint smirk.

The DNA results confirmed what I already suspected; I was not the biological mother.

Back at the office, I stepped in and called out, “Ava.”

She approached almost immediately.

“Good afternoon, ma’am.”

Ava had been with me for two years now; consistently loyal, diligent, and trustworthy. Soon, however, she would no longer have a place here… though she had no idea.

“Yes, ma’am?” she asked, her voice as gentle and composed as ever.

For a brief moment, I hesitated. I can’t afford to jeopardize my plans.

“Never mind,” I dismissed.

“Alright, ma’am,” she replied before returning to her duties.

After work, I returned home to find the house unusually quiet. There was no one in the living room.

I walked into my room and collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion weighing heavily on me. Just then, my phone buzzed with a notification from Lucien.

*We got bored and decided to go out*. 

A bitter chuckle escaped my lips.

Lucien rarely went out unless Bianca was involved, especially when I mentioned taking her out myself. Only then would he insist on joining, even after initially refusing.

*It’s fine, have fun*. I typed and sent.

I stared at the screen as the message delivered.

“Soon… you’ll have all the time you want,” I muttered under my breath.

The next morning, Lucien wasn't in the room. I stepped out and found Bianca in the living room, ready for school. 

Normally, Lucien took her to school every day while I picked her up in the afternoon, but that routine had changed ever since her hospital admission.

“Good morning, mummy,” she greeted sweetly.

“Morning, sweetheart. Come, I’ll drop you off at school,” I said, lifting her into my arms as we headed out together.

On the drive, my phone began to ring.

Caller ID: Lucien.

“Yes?” I answered.

“Where is Bianca? I’ve made it clear that you should stay away from her!” his voice thundered through the line.

“Away from my own child?” I asked, feigning surprise.

“Yes… I know she’s your child,” he replied after a brief pause, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

“But I don’t want her to stress you,” he added, his tone softening.

In the background, I could hear Elara’s voice. “Tell her to bring Bianca back here now!”

Suddenly, a large vehicle swerved aggressively into my lane.

I instinctively turned the steering wheel, trying to avoid it, but the vehicle accelerated toward me with alarming speed.

“Ah!” I screamed in panic.

“Liora, what’s wrong?!” Lucien’s voice came sharply through the phone.

But before I could respond, the vehicle collided with mine and everything went black.

***

She needs to rest,” a distant voice murmured inside my head.

I opened my eyes fully, scanning my surroundings. This is a hospital! What the hell am I doing here?

“She's awake!” a voice announced.

I turned my head to see a male doctor approaching with a calm expression.

“Hello,” he greeted gently.

“What am I doing here? How did I get here? Where’s my daughter?” I asked urgently, my voice weak. That was when I noticed the IV drip attached to my hand.

“Please, calm down,” the doctor said reassuringly. “You were involved in an accident. Fortunately, a gentleman helped rescue both you and your daughter. She is safe and resting for now… but…”

He paused briefly.

“…I’m afraid the same cannot be said for your pregnancy.”

“My… pregnancy?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

“You were about two months pregnant,” he explained gently, “but unfortunately, the baby did not survive.”

Tears welled in my eyes and silently streamed down my face.

“I’m truly sorry,” he added softly. “You need to rest now.”

“It’s for the best,” I murmured faintly, almost to myself.

The door creaked open as a nurse stepped in.

“Doctor, her husband is here. He’s insisting on seeing his daughter,” she announced.

“Alright. Inform him that she’s resting,” the doctor replied as the nurse nodded and exited.

I turned back to the doctor. “Please… keep the miscarriage between us. I will handle the report myself.”

He studied me briefly before nodding in agreement.

I’ve lost my second child… again.

“Baby… I’m truly sorry,” I whispered, tears flowing freely. “I didn’t even know you were there…”