Blind Devotion, Bitter End

The water swirled, carrying my daughter's ashes in circles before swallowing them completely. I remained frozen, my hand still reaching into the toilet, my eyes wide with disbelief.

That was all that was left of her—the only proof that she had ever existed. However, even that was gone, and it was all because of Xavier and Reina.

A tidal wave of hatred surged through me. I shot to my feet and started pounding my fists against Xavier's body like a mad woman.

I screamed, "Xavier, you're a monster! You flushed my daughter away! Give her back to me!"

He shoved me off with brutal force. My balance broke, and my head slammed against the wall with a sickening crack.

Warm blood trickled down my forehead, pooling around me as I collapsed onto the same bloodstained floor from the night before.

"Eloise, stop acting insane," Xavier said. His voice was devoid of warmth, filled only with condescension.

He said, "If you stop making a scene, I'll take you to see the baby. If you want a wedding, I'll give you one."

For years, my only wish had been to be his wife in name, not just in the shadows. I wanted a marriage certificate and a wedding where the world would know I belonged to him.

Yet, Xavier had never taken me anywhere. Reina was the only woman by his side, no matter where he went.

Everyone believed she was his wife. Whenever he introduced her, he said, "This is my love, Reina."

His wife and his love were one and the same.

As for me? I was nothing but a shameful secret.

After everything, he was finally willing to give me what I had begged for. However, I did not want it anymore.

My eyes burned, so dry and swollen that even blinking felt like knives against my skin. I forced myself to stare at him, my voice hoarse yet steady as I spoke.

I said, "I don't need it anymore, Xavier. We're done."

Maybe I had spent so many years loving him and chasing after him that he simply could not believe I would ever leave.

I caught the flicker of mockery in his tone as he replied, "What, you're not clinging to me anymore? Not begging me to stay?"

Before I could respond, Reina spoke up, her voice dripping with false innocence.

"Eloise, why are you still lying to Xavier? The baby is at the hospital, right? Xavier never said he wouldn't take care of her. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"

I snapped and said, "Shut up! You filthy, shameless whore. You have no right to even mention her!"

Reina's eyelashes fluttered, and the tears came instantly. "You're right. It was my mistake. I won't mention her again."

Her false meekness made Xavier's anger explode. He sneered before pulling out his phone. To make sure I heard, he put the call on speaker.

"Connor, find out which hospital Eloise's daughter is in. Tell her to bring the baby to me immediately. I want full custody."

His posture radiated smug confidence as if it were the move that would finally break me.

I let out a hollow, bitter laugh. There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Connor Lambert, Xavier's assistant, hesitated and spoke.

"Mr. Morales, the baby passed away. She died the day after we couldn't reach you."