My husband h:it me five times with a belt because his mistress swore I had scratched her car. “Sign the divorce and get out without a penny,” he told me while she smiled. I didn’t cry. I saved the recording, signed in silence, and five minutes later made a single call that put the 3.2 billion dollars that could save his company at risk.

The caption beneath the video of my sister simply read, “Bring her to the gala, or the girl pays the price.”

Panic seized my chest, squeezing the air completely out of my lungs.

Gavin was hosting a massive charity gala tonight to celebrate the upcoming Crestview acquisition.

He was using my innocent sister as leverage to force me into a public space where his men could grab me.

Elias immediately dispatched his best tactical team to secure my sister’s dormitory.

He urged me to stay in the penthouse, promising he would handle Gavin himself.

I refused to hide while my family was being used as bait by that monster.

I walked into the master bathroom and washed the dried tears from my bruised face.

Elias’s stylist arrived an hour later, bringing a stunning, blood-red evening gown that fit me perfectly.

I applied dark, bold makeup to cover the slight swelling on my cheek.

I looked in the mirror and no longer saw the frightened, mediocre wife Gavin thought he had broken.

I saw a woman who was ready to burn his entire empire to ashes.

When I stepped out of Elias’s armored limousine at the gala, the flashing cameras of the paparazzi blinded me.

The Minneapolis elite whispered in shock as I confidently walked up the grand staircase.

I entered the massive ballroom, my red dress cutting through the sea of boring black tuxedos.

Gavin was standing near the ice sculpture, laughing with Mason and a group of wealthy investors.

When he saw me, his smile instantly vanished, replaced by sheer panic.

Charlotte Gable was standing beside him, her smug expression melting into absolute confusion.

I walked directly toward them, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

Gavin grabbed my arm tightly, his fingers digging painfully into my skin as he pulled me aside.

He whispered venomously in my ear, demanding to know what I was doing there.

I smiled sweetly, leaning in close so only he could hear my next words.

I whispered that I had already sent the recordings of his abuse and Mason’s fraud to the FBI.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

Before Gavin could react, two massive security guards suddenly stepped out from behind the heavy velvet curtains.

They grabbed my elbows with bone-crushing force and dragged me forcefully toward the basement doors.

Chapter 3 - The Gala