For three years of marriage, Everard had stood firmly on my side every single time.
In front of me, he never once showed Madge a kind face. He'd thrown wine at her. Berated her until she ran off in tears.
Then he'd pull me into his arms, voice dripping with tenderness.
"My wife's enemy is my enemy."
"From now on, I'll protect you. Nobody gets to bully my wife. Not while I'm alive."
Those words still echoed in my ears. But now, the person who had truly been destroying me all along was the husband I loved most.
The air felt thin. I gasped, mouth open, chest heaving, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get enough oxygen.
The voice on the other end spoke again. "But those three babies were yours too. You really had the heart to get rid of every single one?"
Everard scoffed, utterly careless.
"Her? Worthy of bearing my children? Only Madge deserves to carry the Delgado heir. Whatever was in Iris's belly was nothing but a mistake."
"If she didn't still have a shred of usefulness left from the Pruitt family name, I'd have thrown her out a long time ago."
The other person sucked in a sharp breath, then pressed further.
"She's this deep into depression now. Aren't you afraid she'll actually go through with it one day?"
Everard's voice turned cold, a sneer curling through every syllable.
"As long as I'm around, she won't die that easily."
...
I couldn't listen to another word. I pressed end call.
I got out of bed and changed immediately.
White-faced, I called the housekeeper. "Arrange a helicopter. I'm going back."
Vanessa Lambert's expression shifted. Hesitation flickered across her face as she tried to talk me out of it.
"Ma'am, why the sudden urge to go back?"
"Mr. Delgado specifically arranged for you to stay here. It's quiet, good for your recovery. If you're feeling restless, you could always take a walk along the beach..."
"Don't make me say it twice."
I cut him off coldly.
Seeing that I seemed genuinely angry, the butler nodded hastily.
"Of course, Mrs. Delgado. But before that, I need to inform Mr. Delgado first."
"You have ten minutes."
Five minutes later, Everard's call came through.
His voice was the same as always, dripping with tenderness.
"Iris, what's wrong? The butler said you suddenly want to come home. Are you uncomfortable there? Or..."
A soft laugh threaded through his words.
"Do you miss your husband?"