Chapter 4

It was guilt, plain and simple.

The instant that question left my mouth, Fabian shot to his feet, his voice sharp with the anger of someone who'd just been seen through.

"What on earth are you rambling about? It's been three months already, and you're still dredging up things that only hurt us. Do you want this to shadow us for the rest of our lives?"

"Natalie, when did you turn into this?"

With that, he didn't so much as glance at me. He turned and walked straight out of the house.

Bang.

The heavy slam of the door, and then the huge living room fell silent again.

Just as well that he left.

That way I wouldn't need an excuse when I walked out tomorrow at noon.

A little while later, I remembered the things I'd bought for the kids at the orphanage were still in the car.

Exhausted as I was, I got up and went down to the private underground garage.

The number dropped to B1, and the moment the elevator doors slid open, an ugly sound reached my ears.

"Natalie gets more unreasonable by the day. I can't stand another second in that house."

"Stella, thank God I have you. Once I coax the shares out of her hands, we can finally be together properly."

The rear door of Fabian's Maybach stood open, and one smooth, pale leg dangled out past the door.

The garage was empty, and their voices, even their breathing, carried to me with perfect clarity.

"I think she's been off lately too."

"You have no idea how much pressure I've been under making those calls the last two times. She used to believe everything I said. Now she actually argues back."

"Forget it, forget it. The company goes public in three days anyway. After that we won't have to keep pretending."

"That idiot. She really thought the two of us were on her side, that we all treated the other two like our whole world? Then let's teach her a lesson. The lesson is this: people change."

I stood inside the elevator without stepping out, watching the doors open and close, close and open.

Over and over, like punishing myself, I listened to every filthy word.

Only when those ugly voices had faded away did I press the button again and go back up to the house.

I didn't want any of the things I'd bought today, not anymore.

With money, what couldn't you buy?

Even after everything had come to this, before today I had never once thought of doing anything to Fabian's company.

Fabian held forty percent of the company. The other shareholder, Laurence Norris, and I each held thirty.

Even if we broke up, as long as the company did well, I'd take in a good deal every year.

That was the orphanage's safety net. For the children, for Mama Grace who cared for them, I hadn't meant to leave Fabian with nothing.

But now, that was over.

Once I was home, I called Laurence Norris, the other shareholder I'd seen earlier that day.

"I've made up my mind. I accept your offer."

"My flight is tomorrow at noon. Have the share-transfer agreement at my place before ten in the morning."

"Move fast on your end. I don't have time to wait."

That night, as expected, Fabian didn't come home.

I'll give Laurence this much, he was quick.

Early the next morning a knock came at the door, and Laurence stood there with his secretary.

Once I'd signed the transfer agreement, a sizeable sum landed in my account.

That money was enough to give the orphanage children a good life.

I handed the contract to Laurence.

"Congratulations, Mr. Norris. You're now the controlling shareholder of Grandsun Group."

"I hear the company goes public in three days. I hope you get everything you want soon."

Laurence gave a slight nod, took the contract, and left with his secretary.

After he was gone, I set the abortion consent form I'd printed out earlier on the nightstand in the bedroom.

He was the baby's father, whatever he chose to feel about it.

But the baby had been real, and he had a right to know it had existed.

Once all of that was done, I wheeled my suitcase out and took a cab to the airport.

Today was the day I'd promised Mama Grace I'd come back to the orphanage, and I wasn't going to break my word.

I'd just reached the airport when my phone rang again. It was that so-called "call from the future" once more.

Only this was the last time.

"Fabian didn't come home last night, did he? Natalie, don't get the wrong idea. He was only..."

I cut off the voice on the other end.

"Stella, is this game fun?"

"Well, the game's over now."