Chapter 3

"Why else would you look so stupid?"

Somebody nearby couldn't hold back a laugh. Tanya's face turned livid.

I turned and headed for the elevator. Behind me, whispers broke out all around the office.

"First time I've ever seen anyone stand up to Miss Dawson like that."

"But she's not wrong. The woman's due any day and they still won't approve her maternity leave."

"Telling a pregnant woman to just keep the baby in. Who even says that?"

"What if something actually goes wrong?"

Every word landed on Tanya like a slap.

The one thing she cared about most was her authority.

Sure enough, the sharp click of heels came pounding up behind me.

"Christine!"

The elevator arrived right then. Ding.

I'd just stepped inside when a hand grabbed me from behind and yanked me backward.

I staggered as I turned.

Smack.

A slap across my face.

Then a second.

A third.

Three sharp cracks.

The whole office went dead silent.

I caught myself against the elevator door, half my face burning, too stunned to even react.

In my whole life, no one had ever hit me like that.

Maggie rushed to my side. "Miss. Dawson! She's pregnant!"

"Out of my way! If I don't teach her a real lesson today, how am I supposed to keep the rest of you in line?"

Tanya shoved her aside.

She turned to glare at the crowd. "All of you, take a good look! Don't think that being pregnant means everyone has to bend over backward for you!"

"This company isn't your living room. You don't just come and go whenever you please."

"And the rest of you! As long as I'm in charge of a project, no one gets pregnant, and no one goes on maternity leave!"

"Anyone who lets a pregnancy interfere with work will end up just like her!"

A few of the women around us already looked visibly uncomfortable.

But Tanya was only getting warmed up. She turned back to me and gave me a contemptuous once-over.

"It's not like you're the first woman to ever have a baby."

"Everyone else can show up for work. What makes you so special?"

"If your husband can't afford to support you, then you shouldn't be having a baby."

"Walking around with that belly, playing the victim every day. Who's it for?"

I didn't say anything.

My phone screen was glowing.

Somewhere in the middle of all this, the call had connected.

The contact name was just one word.

Husband.

The call had lasted two minutes and seventeen seconds.

The other end remained silent the entire time.

But I knew Vincent had heard.

I raised the phone to my ear and asked in a steady voice, "Did you hear that?"

His breathing grew ragged.

"Christine…"

"If you heard it, then get over here now!"

I hung up. Tanya glanced at the name on my screen and burst out laughing.

"You certainly live up to the title of spoiled little wife."

"Three slaps, and you're already crying to your husband?"

She folded her arms. "So let me ask. Where does this husband of yours work, exactly?"

"The security booth?"

"Or is he out delivering takeout?"

She clicked her tongue. "Oh dear, our building doesn't let people like that just wander up. Should I send someone down to escort him in?"

I nodded. "Sure. But you'd better go yourself."

Tanya paused, then doubled over laughing. "Christine, you really can't stop playing this part, can you?"

When she'd laughed enough, her face darkened. "Let me tell you something."

"I slapped you, so what? All you can do is take it."

"Your husband won't make a difference."

"You people are nothing but low-class trash, and this is exactly how you deserve to be treated."

She jabbed a finger into my shoulder. "Little princess, now that you know you're wrong, get back to the meeting. Do I have to ask you twice?"

The jab knocked me back half a step, until my lower back hit the edge of a large planter.

But it struck me that she had a point.

Why was I waiting on Vincent? My business was mine to handle.

I addressed her by name. "Tanya Dawson."

"What?"

I smiled and beckoned her over. "Come here a second."

She actually stepped forward.

I pulled my arm back and swung.

Her head snapped to the side, her cheek flushing red.

Before she could react, I slapped her again with the back of my hand.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

The whole office had gone silent except for the sound of my hand slapping her. Tanya stood there stunned. I flexed my stinging hand and smiled faintly. "You slapped me three times. I give you six in return."

"That's fair. I'm not asking for too much, am I?"

"Christine! Aaah!" Tanya shrieked and lunged at me.

I couldn't move fast enough to avoid the hit with my pregnant belly in the way.

Her foot slammed into my leg.

My lower back hit the wall, and a sharp pain shot through my abdomen.

Maggie went pale with fear and threw herself between us.

"Miss. Dawson! Stop hitting her!"

"Christine is about to give birth!"

But Tanya had completely lost her mind. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

"How dare you hit me! Are you insane?"

"Ten of you couldn't cover the damages! I'll make you pay for this! Aaah!"

She lunged at me again.

I grabbed the fire extinguisher by the wall.

Crack.

It came down hard on her head.