His Perfect Trap, My Perfect Revenge

Chapter 22

Magnus's voice was weak, barely above a whisper, as if he were speaking to himself.

"If you're awake," Chelsea said coldly, "then pack your things and get out. You're not welcome here." She jerked her hand free from his grasp.

"Chelsea, please," he begged, clinging to her wrist like it was his lifeline. "Forgive me. Just this once. Please."

"Let go," Chelsea snapped. "There's no fixing this."

She twisted away, finally breaking free.

"No, Chelsea, that's not true! We can work through this—just give us a chance!"

"But I don't want to," she cut him off without hesitation.

She turned, yanked open the bedside drawer, and pulled out a folded sheet of paper.

"What makes you think you deserve forgiveness?" she demanded, flinging it onto his chest.

As Magnus unfolded it, his heart shattered.

A hospital report. A miscarriage.

He hadn't even known she was pregnant.

"No… Chelsea, tell me this isn't real," he choked out, staring at her in disbelief.

"Not real?" She let out a bitter laugh. "Still in denial, even now?"

She pressed a hand to her chest, her voice trembling.

"Magnus, have you ever heard a heart break? Do you have any idea how much it hurt when I lost our baby? You don't even have a heart—how dare you ask me to forgive you?"

She turned to leave, but the sound of him collapsing to the floor made her pause.

Still, she didn't look back. She just stood there, listening to his voice crack with regret.

"Chelsea… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry… I didn't know…" he sobbed. "Please, just one more chance. Just one. We can still have another child someday—"

His voice was raw, ragged with pain.

"I did give you a chance, Magnus," she said wearily, still facing the door. "I went to that party because you promised to make up for my birthday. And what happened? You forced me to drink. You brought people who tried to hurt me. And because of you, I lost our baby." Her words were heavy with grief.

"So tell me… how am I supposed to forgive you? Just go. I never want to see you again."

Without another word, she walked out.

Magnus watched her leave, his chest so tight he could barely breathe. He crumpled to the floor, clutching his heart, silent tears streaming down his face.

Later that morning, Chelsea arrived at her office to find Alaric already waiting.

"Chelsea? What happened?" He stood immediately, concern etched across his face. "You're never this late."

"I'm fine," she said calmly. "Just didn't sleep well."

She gently pulled her hand from his, and for a brief moment, disappointment flickered in his eyes.

"It's handled," he said after a pause. "The other side must've realized crossing both our families wasn't worth it. They took the photos down and even issued a public apology. You don't have to worry about it anymore."

He reached over, ruffling her hair with a warm smile.

"Come on," he said. "Let's go pick out a dress for tonight's banquet."

Taking her hand again, he led her out of the office.

Neither of them expected… that they'd run into Magnus at that very same event.