Chapter 4

I could pay Mom's medical bills myself.

I could work until every cent of the Henson debt was repaid.

Even if it took the rest of my life.

Even if I ended up with nothing.

Anything was better than spending another day trapped beside Curtis Delgado.

For the first time, my words seemed to catch him off guard.

Shock flickered across his face.

Then it disappeared.

That familiar arrogance returned, the confidence of a man who had spent years believing he controlled every part of my life.

Curtis pulled Margot behind him.

"Emma, stop being ridiculous."

His voice was cold.

"You know what people think of you right now."

"Walk away from me, and whatever protection the Delgado name gives you disappears with me."

"No bank will touch the Henson debt. No family in this city will risk doing business with you."

He reached for my arm.

"Apologize to Margot. I'm trying to protect you."

Protect me.

My entire life was in ruins because of him.

What else could he possibly take?

I pulled my arm away.

For once, I didn't lower my head.

I didn't look back either.

I simply walked away.

My phone buzzed constantly as I left the estate.

Curtis.

Again and again.

He still didn't know I'd heard everything.

His messages were almost laughable.

Apologize to Margot.

Don't make this worse.

Trust me. I'm doing this for you.

I deleted every one.

But before I reached the front entrance, two Delgado security men stepped into my path.

"Mrs. Delgado."

One of them gave a slight nod.

"Mr. Delgado's legal counsel needs to speak with you."

I was taken to a private office.

A lawyer was already waiting.

He placed a tablet on the table.

The security footage showed exactly what had happened.

Me slapping Margot.

"The Pruitt family is demanding compensation for the assault."

He slid a document toward me.

"Three hundred thousand dollars."

I stared at him.

"And if I refuse?"

"Then Ms. Pruitt wants a public apology."

The lawyer paused.

"On your knees."

Before I could respond, my phone vibrated.

A notification from the Henson family medical account.

Three hundred thousand dollars had been transferred out.

Curtis.

For one brief, stupid second, I thought he'd paid the settlement for me.

Then the lawyer turned the tablet around.

A video was playing.

My mother lay unconscious in a hospital bed, her face almost colorless.

My blood went cold.

The lawyer spoke calmly.

"Your mother needs emergency surgery."

"The hospital requires a deposit of three hundred thousand dollars before they proceed."

He glanced at the document in front of me.

"Unfortunately, the same amount has just been transferred to cover Ms. Pruitt's settlement."

I stared at him.

He continued without emotion.

"So you have a choice, Mrs. Delgado."

"Apologize to Ms. Pruitt and the settlement will be canceled."

"The money can go back to your mother's surgery."

His eyes met mine.

"Or refuse."

My hands began to shake.

Curtis had done it perfectly.

He played the devoted husband, stepping in to clean up my mess.

Then quietly took the money keeping my mother alive and placed it on Margot's side of the scale.

He wasn't giving me a choice.

He was forcing me to kneel.

Curtis Delgado deserved an award for his performance.

Three years of tenderness.

Three years of promises.

Three years of pretending every cage he'd built around me was meant to keep me safe.

My chest hurt so badly I could barely breathe.

Finally, I closed my eyes.

"I'll apologize."

I couldn't gamble with my mother's life.

Not for pride.

Not for anything.

So beneath the amused stares of the people gathered outside the lounge, I walked toward Margot.

Whispers followed me.

I ignored them.

Then I bent my knees.

And knelt.

Margot looked down at me with undisguised satisfaction.

There were fresh marks along her neck now, half-hidden beneath the diamonds Curtis had given her.

She leaned closer.

"Emma Henson."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"On her knees."

She smiled.

"If your father could see you now, I wonder what he'd think."

My fingers curled against my palms.

Margot straightened.

"Then again, who cares?"

"Your life has been over for years."

She touched the diamonds at her throat and smiled.

"I have better things to do. Curtis gave me another present tonight."

Then she walked away.

I stayed there for several seconds before forcing myself back onto my feet.

At least Mom was safe.

That was what I told myself.

I returned alone to the Henson estate.

The moment I stepped through the door, Agnes Lambert rushed toward me.

Her face was white.

"Ms. Henson, where have you been?"

Something in her voice made my stomach drop.

"Agnes?"

Her eyes filled with tears.

"The hospital called."

She struggled to get the words out.

"Your mother passed away."

I stopped breathing.

Agnes covered her mouth, crying.

"I went to the hospital myself. They told me the emergency surgery never happened."

My ears began to ring.

"What?"

"The payment was held back."

Her voice broke.

"They waited too long."

"Your mother didn't make it."