I Signed The Divorce And Never Signed Back In Chapter 04

The auction was packed with Cresthill’s elite.

The moment I walked in, I spotted him.

Jason was in an expensive tailored suit, his arm around Kimberly’s waist. Our eyes met.

“Ellie? You miss me that much? Followed me all the way here.”

Kimberly pouted and touched her belly. Jason immediately changed his tune.

“You should leave. Don’t stay near Kimberly. I don’t want her getting stressed out.”

“None of this has anything to do with me.” I walked past him without stopping. “I’m here to bid.”

On stage, the auctioneer pointed dramatically at the screen.

“This estate was built two hundred years ago using hand-crafted joinery methods. Even experts have come to study the designs. Starting bid, three million.”

“Four million.”

“Five million.”

“Ten million.” I raised my paddle calmly.

Everyone turned to stare. A few people murmured.

“Who is that? I’ve never seen her before.”

Kimberly laughed behind her hand. “Ellie, where would you even get that kind of money? Stop making a scene.”

“You’re not seriously expecting my husband to pay for it, are you? Keep dreaming.”

Someone in the crowd still wanted the estate and raised the bid.

“Ten point five million.”

“Two…” I started to raise my paddle again.

Jason grabbed my hand and dragged me into the hallway.

“Are you crazy, Ellie? Two million for some old house? I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Who said anything about your money?” I tried to pull my hand free, but he had me pinned against the wall.

He leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear, and softened his voice.

“Okay, Ellie. I get it. You’re still mad, and you’re doing this to get my attention. But this isn’t the place for games.”

He reached out and touched my face.

Kimberly came running after us and stopped dead at the sight. Her pretty face twisted with rage.

“Ellie, how dare you flirt with my husband.”

She pulled Jason away and slapped me across the face so hard my head snapped to the side.

I hit the ground, dizzy.

“I let it slide before because of our history. But I’m carrying Jason’s baby now, and I won’t let you come between us.”

“Kimberly.” Jason tried to hold her back.

She screamed at him. “Are you feeling sorry for her? Fine. I’ll take the baby and leave. I don’t want to be in your way.”

He caught her around the waist. “Of course not. You and the baby are what matters.”

Kimberly smiled in triumph. She kicked me in the leg.

“Ellie, you really thought you could get Jason back? Stay out of Cresthill. Don’t let me see your face again. Got it?”

I curled up against the wall. My face burned. My lower abdomen throbbed.

In the distance, I heard the auctioneer’s voice.

“Fifteen million, going twice.”

No. I couldn’t let someone else take the estate.

I forced myself up and tried to get back inside.

Kimberly grabbed my hair and yanked me back.

“Are you deaf? I’m talking to you.”

“Get off me.” I grabbed Kimberly’s arm and squeezed hard. Kimberly let go with a yelp.

I pushed myself along the wall, moving faster.

Behind me, Kimberly stomped her foot.

“You worthless bitch. How dare you touch me.”

Then a hard shove hit me from behind. I couldn’t catch myself. My body slammed against the door frame.

The impact drove straight into my belly. Pain ripped through me. I could barely breathe.

I sank to my knees.

Blood soaked through my pants and spread across the carpet.

“My baby.” I clutched my stomach, shaking with terror.

“Ellie.” Jason’s face went white. He rushed toward me, but Kimberly blocked him.

“Baby, don’t worry about her right now. Remember why we’re here. We need to meet the CEO of Cole Group.”

“I heard he’s here with his wife. He’s going to walk in any minute. Let’s just move her out of the way so she doesn’t cause a scene.”

Jason smoothed his tie and nodded. “You’re right.”

“Ellie, just hold on. I’ll come back for you.”

They ignored the blood pooling beneath me. They ignored my face slick with sweat. They grabbed my arms and legs and dragged me down the hallway toward a back room.

The auctioneer’s voice grew faint.

“Eighteen million.”

“Going twice. Anyone else?”

Despair crept up my throat. I closed my eyes.

Was I really going to fail my mother’s last wish?

Then a cold, familiar male voice rang through the auction hall.

“No limit. Whatever the highest bid is, I’ll double it.”

It was him.

Tears spilled from my eyes, tears of relief, not joy. I fought against their hands, shaking them off, and stumbled toward the auction hall.

“Alexander. Alexander, I’m here.”