Chapter 1 - The Shattered Fall
His shadow stretched across the marble foyer, swallowing the small suitcase I had so carefully packed.
I took a trembling step backward, my hands instinctively wrapping around my swollen belly to protect my unborn son.
Julian did not yell, and that was the most terrifying part of his reaction.
He slowly reached out and ripped the handle of the bag from my frozen grip.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the suitcase aside like it was absolute garbage.
"Did you honestly believe you could just walk out?" he whispered, stepping closer until I could smell the expensive scotch on his breath.
I opened my mouth to scream, to call for anyone, but the sound died in my throat.
He raised his hand, and before I could even register the movement, he shoved me hard against the chest.
My feet tangled in the thick Persian rug, and I felt myself falling backward into empty space.
The sickening thud of my body hitting the hardwood floor echoed violently through the massive house.
A sharp, blinding pain shot up my spine, completely stealing the breath from my burning lungs.
I lay there gasping for air, staring up at the crystal chandelier that blurred in my vision.
Julian stood over me, his hands casually shoved into the pockets of his tailored trousers.
He looked at my twisted body with the same indifference he gave to a poor financial report.
He didn't pull out his phone, and he didn't call out for the household staff to help.
He simply turned around, his leather shoes clicking sharply on the wood, and walked into his study.
The heavy oak door clicked shut, leaving me completely alone in the deafening silence.
I squeezed my eyes closed as a warm rush of fluid soaked through my maternity dress.
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I knew in that horrifying moment that the war for my life had officially begun.
I promised my baby that if we survived this night, I would never stop fighting until Julian paid for everything.
