Chapter 4

Everleigh

My heels clicked against the hospital floor as I made my way to the exit. Felix wrapped his hand around my waist, a mischievous grin on his face. 

We were headed for the hospital hall. He must have dreamt of this day for so long. And in contrast, this was my biggest fear. 

But we are both happy now. I am excited to be free, and he's excited to be with me again. And get his revenge.

"This is going to be so dramatic," Felix whispered, feeling slightly nervous and excited as we got closer.

"You have always loved drama. Don't you remember six years ago?!"

"You still haven't forgiven me, Ever. You are so strange." Felix rolled his eyes.

Before I could reply, we were in the hospital hallway. Clyde stood at the far end, walking towards my ward. 

A few nurses had walked past Felix and I, but they were too busy to stop and look. 

Some patients who weren't in a critical condition couldn't help but stand in awe, gazing at the scene that was about to play out.

"What the fuck is going on?" Clyde's eyes were bulging out in surprise. His wife was all dressed up and fancy, and her ex held her waist.

"What does it look like?" I asked him. "Is this a cinema?" I continued, realizing how bad I got at using curse words. "Fuck you, Clyde!" I managed to say.

"I don't understand what is happening here!" Clyde exclaimed. He was about to play the good guy card.

"And you don't need to understand. years ago, I begged for your love. I had attempted to buy love. 

I had done everything within my power. Right now, I'm letting you be. You deserve better and so do I."

"Babe, what are you saying?" Clyde attempted walking to where I stood, but Felix stood in his way.

"It's over between us, honey." I said to Clyde, flinging the divorce papers at him. "That's what I'm saying. 

You don't want to be the bad guy, am I right? Well now, you don't have to worry about who the bad guy is."

He watched the papers flutter to the floor, dumfounded.

"Why? What did I do wrong?" Clyde was getting ready to play the victim card. 

“I'm done with you, you can get married to Laura now."

For a few seconds, Clyde said nothing. He figured why all of this was happening. I had caught him in my hospital ward. 

"Please sign those papers, I now own eighty percent of the wealth that you and I made together.”

"That's not fair!" I heard him blurt.

Felix smiled at him and said, “That's still better than disappearing with everything you both worked hard for, isn't it? You can take her to court if you please. But I assure you'll lose.”

Clyde said nothing more.  Felix and I were already at the door when he said his last words. "Everleigh, you'll regret this."  

"My only regret is marrying an ungrateful loser." I retorted, banging the door behind me.

In no long time, Felix and I were out of the hospital. Through the transparent glass door, we knew that their gazes were still on us.

Felix halted me as we were headed for his car and the  entourages that were waiting for us. We stood there, his warm, strong hands holding mine.

"Ever," He said. His smile was gentle and reassuring,  it felt like he was looking right into my soul. 

"Yes? Why did you stop me?" I looked back, at the many eyes on us, and felt slightly embarrassed at the sight of the stares and cameras on me. 

I couldn't help but notice the envious look on Clyde's face. It was almost as if he were burning with jealousy, his eyes filled with anger and resentment. But I kept my focus on Felix. Returning the cheerful smile.

“I have heard the rumors.”

"Huh?" I swallowed, still staring at him and wondering which of the many rumors about me he heard. I hoped genuinely that it wasn't about my children.

“I know you would never do something like that.” He continued, squeezing my hand slightly. “You need to heal from everything going on. 

They have fixed a date for the hearing and I think it's best if you and I go back to my mansion together. I'll take care of you and make sure that you heal. 

Laura would be found and whoever was behind her kidnap would be punished. I promise you!”

“Why are you doing this?” I asked him. 

“Well,” he said with a light shrug. “I want to make Clyde jealous.”

“That's all?”

“Yes, I want to make him regret how he treated you.”

“Well, then I think we have succeeded in doing that.” I pointed at Clyde. “Do you see the look on his face? I'd call this a mission accomplished.”

"This isn't enough. Come with me to my mansion, Ever. We don't have to be in an actual relationship. Having you upload beautiful pictures with me is the best revenge plan on Clyde, don't you think?"

I laughed softly but said nothing. There was so much on my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about Madison who showed up hours ago, just to make threats. 

Maybe going with Felix was a good idea. With Madison back in the picture, I know that my father may have heard about me. 

He may also be looking for me. And I didn't want to be back home.

“What do you say, Ever?” Felix probed on for a response. “Or would you rather stay with your family?”

I never mentioned my family to anyone. Not to Felix, not to Clyde and not even to Laura who knew my body count. “I have no family,” I retorted. That was what I told everyone who asked.

The fact that I am pregnant crossed my mind. Staying with Felix would make things complicated. 

“I don't know, Felix…”  My eyes caught someone in the shadows and I blinked to make sure I had seen correctly. 

"Laura?" I said to Felix who was also looking in the same direction. 

"It seems so," He responded.

We both silently watched until we were certain of what we saw.

"They said she is missing. What is she doing next to my car?”