Part 3She Signed My Divorce By Mistake

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth instantly.

Margot stood over me, her hand trembling, a flash of guilt crossing her eyes before it was replaced by cold defiance.

“How dare you lay a hand on him? Your ‘family’ started this. Is this the ‘upbringing’ you’re so proud of? Violence?”

I blinked back tears, unable to believe the words coming out of her mouth.

People always assumed orphans were feral, uneducated animals. Years ago, Margot was the one who smashed a wine bottle over a man's head for calling me a "stray." She was the one who promised to be my shield.

Seeing me tear up, Margot’s expression softened for a fraction of a second, but Toby buried his face in her neck, shaking.

“Margot... if you hadn’t come, they would have killed me together...”

Margot’s pity for me vanished, replaced by pure disgust.

“Tomorrow night at the Benefit Gala, you are going to stand up and publicly apologize to Toby. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. If you don't clear his name, Mrs. Gable will spend the rest of her life telling people he’s a villain.”

I shook my head, helpless. “And if I don’t?”

“If you don’t apologize, I’m pulling the funding for the Saint Jude’s renovation. And the card you use for Mrs. Gable’s private nursing? Canceled.”

She leaned in, her voice like a knife. “Think carefully, Nick. On your own, how long will it take you to find her a heart donor match? Hmm?”

I looked at the woman in the bed, the woman who had taught me how to tie my shoes and how to believe I was worth something. I broke.

“Fine,” I whispered.

The next night at the Gala, Margot handed me a script. Toby walked up to me while Margot was talking to donors, digging his nails into the fresh stitches in my shoulder.

He smiled for the cameras. “Nick, an apology requires sincerity.”

Before I could react, he kicked the back of my knee. I buckled, falling onto the marble floor in front of the city’s elite.

Like a broken marionette, I read from the paper.

“I apologize to Toby Miller for the misunderstanding involving Mrs. Gable. I acted out of turn, and I will be covering all his medical expenses...”

The room erupted into whispers.

“I guess you can’t take the gutter out of the boy. No wonder Margot is looking elsewhere.”

“Like mother, like son. Even if she didn’t give birth to him, they’re both trash.”

“Toby looks like a true gentleman. I think Nick’s time is up.”

The shame burned hotter than my fever. Toby looked down at me with the eyes of a conqueror.

I tried to stand, but my head throbbed. Margot took a step toward me, her brow furrowing. “Are you okay? You look gray.”

I shoved her hand away. She cleared her throat, regaining her composure. “Don’t flatter yourself. I just don't want you making a mess at this event.”

Toby made a show of helping me up, leaning into my ear.

“Take care of yourself, Nick. But I just heard a rumor... the heart donor for your precious Mrs. Gable? They backed out. Changed their mind. Looks like she’ll have to wait another ten years.”

He grinned. “If she even has ten minutes left.”

The world turned red. I lunged, my hands finding his throat. “You played with her life? You monster!”

Margot didn't hesitate. She shoved me back with everything she had.

“Nick, have you lost your mind?”

I tumbled down the steps of the stage, my bones screaming as they hit the hard floor. Toby didn't stop smiling. Behind Margot’s back, he was laughing.

I scrambled up, ready to tear him apart, when my phone rang.

It was the hospital.

“Mr. Steven? Mrs. Gable... she’s gone. Someone took her from her room!”