Billionaire’s Hidden Wife

While I was delivering food at the mall, I watched in horror as my daughter tumbled down a long flight of stairs, her leg bone snapping on impact.

The agony bleached her small face white. I was about to scoop her up and call 911 when a scalding hot latte drenched my head.

You filthy charity case! Stealing in broad daylight! a heavily pregnant woman shrieked, ripping the birthday necklace from my daughters neck.

Her posse of friends jeered and laughed. You dare touch something that belongs to the Stone family? Do you have any idea who this is? Sophia Bell, fiance of Mr. Stone, the CEO of Stone Corporation!

I wiped the sticky latte from my face, my voice as cold as a winter frost. Stone?

Sophia jutted out her stomach proudly. The richest family in New York! Cross me, and you and this little brat are dead.

How interesting. Of the two Mr. Stones at Stone Corporation, one is my husband, and the other is my son.

...

I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed my son, Adam.

You and your father get your asses down to the Grand Atrium right now.

If that little punk knew how to admit he was wrong and could learn to control his power-tripping little girlfriend, I wasn't entirely against letting this Sophia girl into our family.

But Adams voice on the other end was impatient, laced with accusation.

Mom, can you not cause drama? I told you, Dad and I are swamped right now. We dont have time for your games.

My face hardened. If I dont see you in twenty minutes, I said, my voice dangerously low, I swear Ill take a sledgehammer to every single one of your new toys in the garage.

Adam cherished the Rolls-Royce in that garage more than life itself. He wouldnt risk a single scratch on his precious car.

The second I hung up, the crowd around me erupted in laughter.

Hahahaha! Calling her husband and son? Its the middle of the day, dont you have deliveries to make? Wouldnt want to interrupt your pathetic, minimum-wage-earning husband!

A family of bums. You could deliver food for the rest of your lives and you still couldnt afford a single gem on Sophias necklace!

Monica had fallen from so high. Her little body was a mess of fractures, bruised and swollen.

She was so small, the pain robbing her of the ability to even speak properly. She curled into my arms like a kitten.

Mommy it hurts

I fought down the inferno of rage building inside me and lifted my fading daughter, heading for the exit.

Saving my child was the priority. Id settle the score with Adam and Sophia later.

But Id only taken two steps when a stiletto heel dug into the small of my back.

I stumbled on the polished floor, losing my grip, and we both went flying.

Ah!

A sickening thud echoed through the atrium.

My vision went black as my forehead slammed into the sharp marble edge of a step. A warm gush of blood erupted from my brow, the thick, metallic scent filling my senses as it streamed down my face.

Before I could even catch my breath, Sophias foot pressed my head to the ground.

You thieving bitch! Trying to run?

Monica had been thrown from my arms, her tiny body hitting the floor with a dull, heavy sound.

Mmm Mommy!

Her face was chalk-white as she desperately tried to crawl back to me. Her trembling little hands feebly slapped at Sophias leg.

Bad bad lady! Dont dont step on my mommy

Sophia bent down and yanked Monica up by her hair.

She raised her hand. Crack! Crack! Crack! Three sharp slaps echoed in the cavernous space.

You little bitch! You dare to hit me?

Monicas cheeks instantly swelled, her lip splitting open. Blood and saliva trickled down her chin, staining her little white dress crimson.

My vision turned red. Ignoring the searing pain in my forehead, I scrambled forward and snatched my daughter back.

Stop it! I roared. Youre pregnant, youre going to be a mother yourself! Have some goddamn decency!

Sophia just laughed, a cruel, mocking sound, as she stroked her swollen belly.

You think trash like you is even worthy of being compared to the noble Stone heir in my womb?

She tilted her chin up, and then, she kicked. A sharp, brutal kick aimed right at Monica, who was twitching in my arms.

No!

A desperate scream tore from my throat. I threw myself over her, trying to shield her with my body.

But I was too late. Monicas cry of pain was a knife twisting in my ear.

The rage that had been simmering in my gut erupted, incinerating every last shred of my reason.

I stared at Sophias distorted face and spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva.

Sophia Bell! For what youve done today, you will never set foot in the Stone family home!

Even if Adam gets on his knees and begs until his head bleeds, the Stones will never accept a venomous snake like you as a daughter-in-law!

I was shaking with fury. I fumbled for my cracked phone and dialed 911.

Hello? 911

Sophias eyes narrowed. She lunged forward, kicking the phone from my grasp.

She brought her heel down, stomping on my hand and the phone beneath it.

The stilettos sharp point drove into the back of my hand.

A sickening crunch of bone echoed, and a blinding, all-consuming pain shot through my entire body. The agony was so intense, every limb trembled.

Aaaargh!!!

I screamed.

As if to make sure the phone was completely destroyed, Sophia ground her heel into it, twisting. The sharp agony of bone and flesh separating made a cold sweat break out across my back. The screen under her heel went black.

The pain was so excruciating I was convulsing, on the verge of passing out.

But Sophia just stood over me, her belly prominent, looking down as if I were an insect.

You dare call the cops? Even if they came, theyd just make you and your little thief pay for my necklace.

She kicked me again.

You old hag, worrying about whether Ill marry into the Stone family? Save it.

Worry about how youre going to pay me back for my necklace!

It was custom-made in Italy! The repair costs alone are more than youll ever make in your miserable life!

Her eyes raked over me with a malicious contempt, as if I were garbage.

Maybe you should quit the delivery gig. Go clean yourself up and sell that body of yours. At your age, tsk, tsk, you could work yourself to death and probably still not pay it off!

The fawning voices of her friends immediately chimed in.

Sophia, youre giving her too much credit. She looks like shes over thirty. Whod want that old hag?

I wouldnt pay two bucks for her. I wouldnt even let her warm my feet for free, shes too bony!

Hahahaha! You never know, maybe she could find some business with the old men under the bridge!

The vile, degrading insults rained down on me.

In all my years as Eleanor Vance, a titan of the business world, I had never faced such humiliation.

I fought to control the rage coursing through my veins.

I gritted my teeth, holding my daughters bruised, faintly breathing body, and looked at the crowd.

My voice was a raw, bloody whisper as I pleaded.

My daughter didnt steal anything. Please, someone, call 911, call an ambulance.

Shes only four. She cant take much more of this. Nothing is more important than a human life!

But no one moved.

Sophias friends watched with cold indifference, their faces a mixture of mockery and disgust.

Shes just some delivery driver. Her life is worthless. She pissed off Sophia, she deserves to die.

Stop wailing, its so depressing.

Sophia raised her chin, smugly toying with the family heirloom bracelet on her wrist.

She looked down at me with a show of "mercy," her smile poisonous.

Lick the filthy blood of you and your daughter off the floor. Lick it clean, and then Ill call an ambulance for her. How about that?

The crowd buzzed with excitement, eagerly chiming in.

Yeah! Lick it clean! Like a dog!

This is a nice mall! Theyve made it all dirty with their blood!

Their unified support for Sophias cruelty sent my heart plunging into an icy abyss.

For Monica

I lowered my head, tears of humiliation mixing with the blood on my face. I stared at the glaring red puddle on the floor, a mixture of my blood and Monicas.

Swallowing the overwhelming shame, I began to lower myself, trembling.

The metallic tang of blood filled my nostrils. Just as my lips were about to touch the filth, a commotion erupted from the crowd.

Its the young Mr. Stone! From Stone Corporation!

The crowd parted abruptly.

A tall, well-built young man strode forward, flanked by several bodyguards in black suits.

It was that damn kid, Adam.

Hed only been working his summer internship for a few weeks, but hed certainly mastered the grand entrance.

The tension in my body instantly gave way. I collapsed to the floor, all my strength gone, still clutching Monica.

Sophia scurried towards him like a frightened rabbit.

Adam!

Her voice trembled as she pointed a finger at me and Monica, clutching her stomach.

Before Sophia could say a word, her sycophantic friends, their eyes gleaming, rushed to tattle on her behalf.

Mr. Stone! Its that old woman and her brat!

They stole Miss Bells necklace!

They wouldnt admit it even when they were caught! They were so aggressive! They almost hurt Miss Bell!

That old bitch even tried to call the cops and frame Miss Bell!

Adams gaze swept over us, cold and detached.

There wasnt a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

He placed a protective hand on Sophias belly, smiling at her with an almost fawning tenderness.

Dont be angry, sweetheart.

Why lower yourself to their level? Getting upset and hurting yourself and the baby, thats what really matters.

I suppose Monica and I were such a wreck that the little bastard didnt even recognize his own mother.

He only had eyes for Sophia, who was pouting and playing the victim.

But my necklace

Whats one necklace?

Without hesitation, Adam pulled a card from the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

It was the supplementary black card his father had given him for his eighteenth birthday just a few days ago.

He casually pressed it into Sophias hand, his voice indulgent.

Take this. Go buy ten new ones. As long as youre happy, spend whatever you want.

A chorus of envious gasps rippled through the crowd.

Mr. Stone is so good to Miss Bell!

Oh my god! Is that a no-limit card? Miss Bell is so lucky!

The flattery was enough to make anyones head spin.

Sophias chin climbed even higher. She shot me a look brimming with venomous triumph and the promise of revenge.

I almost laughed.

This wet-behind-the-ears punk was playing the part of a domineering CEO.

Adam, theyre so disgusting. I cant stand to look at them. Get rid of them, will you?

Adam didnt even bother to look at us again. He gave a cold, dismissive wave of his hand.

Two large bodyguards immediately moved forward. They grabbed me as if I were a chicken, their grip rough. The hand that Sophia had stomped on was twisted, the bones shifting again. The pain was so intense my vision swam with black spots.

Drag them away! Adam barked at the bodyguards. Dont let them offend Sophias eyes.

Sophia smirked, her eyes raking over my battered body and Monicas small, pale face.

They look so pitiful and poor. Why dont we send them to Southeast Asia?

The old one wont be worth much, but if you raise the little one for a few years, you could make a good return on your investment.

She wanted to sell us into the sex trade.

She wouldnt even spare a four-year-old child.

Where in the hell did this little monster Adam find such a psychopathic, evil girlfriend?

Fine, Adam said, nodding without a second thought, as if he were merely disposing of two pieces of trash.

Do as Miss Bell says.

The bodyguards grabbed me, dragging the unconscious Monica, and began to haul us away. The crowd of onlookers parted to let them through.

Rage flooded my vision. I had never, in my entire life, imagined that the son I had raised for eighteen years could be so monstrous.

Just as they dragged me past Adam, I summoned every ounce of strength I had left and broke free.

I raised my left hand, the one Sophia hadnt broken.

CRACK! The sound of my hand connecting with his handsome face echoed through the silent mall.

The entire atrium fell silent. Everyone froze, a look of shock plastered on their faces.

I stood before Adam, my hair a mess, my body covered in blood, my chest heaving with rage.

You bitch! How dare you hit the young Mr. Stone! Sophias shrill voice screeched.

I shot her a murderous glare, my voice as sharp as a blade, holding nothing back.

I hit him. So what? Say one more word, and Ill hit you too.

Adam heard my voice, truly saw my blood-streaked face, and the color drained from his. He stared at my disheveled state, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.

He clutched his face, his lips trembling. The word Mom was caught in his throat, unspoken.

Sophia was stunned for a second, then shrieked at me. This is treason! Bodyguards! Chop off her hands!

Adam snapped back to reality, his eyes wide with a frantic, ghost-like terror.

Shut up! he suddenly roared, cutting Sophia off.

I was seething, my chest heaving. Adam Stone! Just you wait until we get home! Im going to skin you alive!

Adams expression shifted rapidly. He shot me a quick, pleading look filled with guilt.

Sophia! Its a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding! He took a deep breath and forced a laugh. Shes not a stranger! Shes, uh, our familys maid! Shes been with us since I was a kid! She has a bit of a temper For my sake, lets just drop it today, okay?

He turned and yelled at the bodyguards. What are you standing around for? Get the maids daughter to a hospital! Now!

Sophia eyed me with suspicion and unconcealed contempt. Dont you dare take her to a hospital. Shes just a servant, and a thieving one at that. The brat she raised is a thief too.

The two of them were making my head spin. All the blood in my body was rushing to my head.

Adam Stone! What a fine son I had raised!

I clenched my fists, about to explode.

Adam suddenly stepped closer, hissing in a frantic whisper only I could hear. Mom! Mom, Im begging you! Dont embarrass me! Im the young Mr. Stone now. In front of all these people I cant lose face

Beside him, Sophia stood with her arms crossed, her chin so high it could pierce the ceiling. Her words were sharp and cruel.

Just because you worked as a maid for a few years, you think you can get away with hitting your master and stealing? Who gave you the nerve?

Drag this old bitch and her little thief into a corner. I dont want them ruining my view.

Adam was panicked and angry, but he opened his mouth and said nothing to stop her.

That was it. I snapped.

I would have been better off giving birth to a sack of potatoes. At least I could eat potatoes.

All he knew how to do was abandon his mother for his new girlfriend, letting this bitch try to kill me and his own sister.

Even if Sophia were an angel descended from heaven, a princess from some foreign land, she would never be my daughter-in-law.