The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Chapter 5 – Rock Bottom

The rain didn’t stop.

I walked for hours, my suitcase wheels catching on every crack in the sidewalk. My clothes clung to my skin as my shoes squelched with each step.

I had nowhere to go.

The cheap motel where I’d been staying had kicked me out this morning due to unpaid bills. My credit cards were gone. My phone was gone.

I had eighty-three dollars in my wallet. That was it.

The streets grew rougher as I walked. My stomach was cramped as pain shot through my lower abdomen.

I stumbled, catching myself against a brick wall.

Not now. Please, not now.

Another cramp. Sharper this time.

I looked around desperately. A convenience store glowed ahead, its fluorescent lights harsh against the dark.

I made it to the entrance before my legs gave out.

The world tilted as the pavement rushed up. Then nothing.

*******

When I opened my eyes, bright lights burned overhead.

I was in a hospital. The antiseptic smell was unmistakable.

"Easy." A voice that sounded female, gentle. "Don’t try to sit up yet," the nurse said softly, her tone calm and reassuring.

I turned my head. A nurse stood beside the bed, checking something on a monitor. She was young, maybe late twenties, with kind brown eyes and dark curly hair pulled back.

"My baby." My hand flew to my stomach, voice trembling. "Is my baby"

"Your baby’s okay." She smiled warmly. "With a strong heartbeat. You’re lucky."

The tears came then. Relief so intense it hurt.

The nurse handed me tissues. "I’m Olivia. You’ve been out for about an hour." She pulled up a chair beside me. "What’s your name?"

"Aria." My voice cracked. "Aria Monroe."

Something flickered in her expression—a spark of recognition?

"The Monroe family?" She asked tentatively.

I looked away. "Not anymore." My voice was hollow.

Olivia was quiet for a moment. Then she patted my hand gently. "Well, Aria-not-anymore, you need to rest. You’re severely dehydrated and malnourished." Her voice softened. "When’s the last time you ate?"

I couldn’t remember.

She stood. "I’ll be right back."

She returned minutes later with a sandwich and juice from the cafeteria.

"Hospital food isn’t great, but it’s food." She watched me eat carefully. "Do you have somewhere to stay?"

I shook my head.

"Insurance?"

Another head shake.

Olivia bit her lip, concern etching her features. "Okay. Let me talk to the billing department. Maybe we can"

"I have eighty-three dollars." I pulled out my soggy wallet with a flat voice. "That’s all I have in the world."

She stared at me with wide eyes.

"My family disowned me today." The words came out tumbling. "My husband filed for divorce. I have nothing."

"Jesus." Olivia sat down hard, her mouth tight. "I’m so sorry."

We sat in silence while I finished eating.

"The thing is," Olivia said slowly, "the treatment you received tonight? That’s going to cost about two hundred dollars minimum." She looked uncomfortable. "Without insurance."

My stomach dropped. "I can’t pay that."

"I know." She stood. "Which is why I’m about to do something that could get me fired." She glanced down the hall nervously. "I’m going to mark you down as indigent and apply for emergency assistance. It’ll cover most of it."

"You don’t have to" I started.

"Yes, I do." Her smile was sad but firm. "I’m a nursing student. I’m not rich. But I’m not watching a pregnant woman get thrown to the wolves by the system."

New tears fell from my cheeks. Kindness hurts worse than cruelty somehow.

Olivia left to handle paperwork as I lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling.

Voices drifted from the hallway—other nurses, gossiping during their break.

"Did you hear about that patient in 304?" one voice whispered.

"The pregnant one?" came another.

"Yeah. Apparently, she’s Damien Blackwood’s discarded wife."

My chest tightened.

"No way. The billionaire?"

"Yes, my cousin works at Blackwood Tower. Said the wife showed up begging, and he threw her out. Told her to get rid of the baby."

Then came a Laughter. "Brutal."

"Rich people have no hearts."

"She probably deserved it. Was a gold digger, probably."

More laughter as their voices faded down the hall.

I turned my face to the pillow and cried silently.

This was my life now. A cautionary tale and gossip in hospital hallways.

When Olivia came back, she found me packing the few things I’d brought.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" she asked, moving quickly to stop me. "You need to stay overnight for observation."

"I can’t afford to stay overnight." I pulled on my damp jacket, my voice firm despite the ache. "I need to leave."

"Aria"

"Thank you for everything." I grabbed my suitcase. "Really. But I need to go."

She caught my arm gently. "Where?"

Good question.

At 3 AM, I pulled out Olivia’s card. Below her number, she’d written: You’re stronger than you think.

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