He Doesn’t Deserve the Perfect Me Chapter 03
Author: Ginger
Everyone watching froze, their eyes darting between the three of us.
The color drained from Daisy’s face in an instant. Knowing me as well as she did, she had never expected me to tell the truth in front of so many people.
Soren hadn’t expected it either.
We’d been together for seven years, from college until now.
Soren always said his father thought he was too young and needed a few more years of training before he could take over the family’s criminal operations.
I’d understood. The Colliers were deep in the drug trade, a business that demanded experience and sharp instincts, so I’d told Soren I was willing to wait.
At last, after Halloween that year, Soren secured his place in the family business. That was when he promised he would marry me.
I never imagined that the ink on that promise would barely be dry before he was marrying someone else.
I gave a bitter laugh and advanced on Daisy one deliberate step at a time.
They had hurt me enough. I was the proud Wellman heiress, and I refused to let Daisy watch me break.
“Daisy, if you want this man, he’s all yours. But remember, I’m the one throwing him away. All you’ll ever be is someone who picks up my leftovers.” I straightened my spine, turned, and walked out. Somewhere behind me I heard Soren calling my name, but it no longer mattered.
Only when I was far enough away did I find the courage to look back one last time at the bridal shop. The wedding gown I had dreamed of was going to be worn by another woman.
By the time I left the clinic, the tiny life inside me, not even two months old, was gone.
My phone rang again. It was Soren. I hung up again and again, but he kept calling back.
Finally, he sent a message. “Vivian, I know that was my child. But I need to finish this wedding first. Give me a little time, okay?”
I didn’t want to believe him anymore.
When I arrived back at the estate, before I could even step inside, I saw people eyeing me and whispering.
Daisy’s mother stood outside with a broom, pretending to sweep while flicking dirt across my shoes. “Well, well. Look who came crawling back. The shameless homewrecker.”
She was only a housekeeper, and she’d always treated me with deference. Now every trace of respect was gone.
“Mrs. Williams, is that any way to speak to me? Don’t forget who you work for.”
She glared at me. “My Daisy is about to marry the Collier heir. She’ll be the wife of the next Don! So spare me the high-and-mighty act. You’d better go check on your mother. The shame you’ve brought home is practically killing her!”
At that, I didn’t want to waste another word on her. I rushed home and found Mom leaning against the sofa, crying.
“Mom, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?”
She looked at me with bloodshot eyes. “Sweetheart, tell me. Are you and Soren in a relationship? And you’re pregnant?”
In front of Mom, my last shred of composure shattered. I broke down sobbing.
“How dare they! I’m going to your father. I don’t care how much territory he’s trying to expand. He needs to drop everything right now!”
“Mom, don’t. Dad’s so busy right now. Let’s not bother him. When he comes back…”
“I can’t wait!” Mom smashed the crystal lamp beside her, tears streaming down her face.
The rage sent her into a violent coughing fit. Her breathing grew ragged, and her body started to give out.
I tried to hold her back, but she flung me aside. “I’m going to make Soren and that vile housekeeper’s daughter answer for this!”
Mom stormed outside just as Soren opened Daisy’s car door and pulled her into an embrace.
“Soren!” she screamed, charging toward them, then suddenly stopped dead in the middle of the road.
The next second, her body went rigid and she toppled backward.
“Mom!”
I sprinted to her, dropped to my knees, and cradled her fallen body. “Mom, wake up! Please don’t scare me…”
Tears blinded me, and grief crushed my chest.
But I still saw Soren try to rush over, only to be held back by Daisy. I saw his clenched jaw and his trembling body.
Cramping tore through my lower belly. Losing my baby, losing Mom, watching Soren stand there and do nothing, each agony drove another knife into my heart.
It was my fault. I was the one who’d been wrong.
I should never have loved him, never have trusted him. Because of this man who betrayed me, I had lost my child and my mother.
