Chapter 34: Had I Known

I couldn't believe Rachel pulled that stunt in front of Brandon's bodyguards. I kept watching, waiting to see how Brandon would react.

"Rachel, go home and wait for me. We'll talk when I get there," Brandon said, his tone surprisingly calm this time.

"Brandon... please..."

"Just go home," Brandon replied.

"Can I take Julian?" Rachel asked. I tensed up, ready to intervene if Brandon actually agreed to her request.

"No! Go home. We need to have a serious conversation tonight," Brandon said, hopping into the car. The chauffeur drove away immediately.

Rachel stood frozen for a moment, staring at him. I noticed she appeared strangely calm, as if she was scared or something. She also seemed defeated. After a few minutes of standing there like a lost soul, she got into her car and drove off too.

"Ma'am, you need to shower and get dressed. Your flight leaves at eight," the maid who had shown me to the room said. I headed straight to the bathroom and enjoyed a long, relaxing shower. The incision marks on my stomach were perfectly sealed, concealing the fact that I had a C-section two weeks ago.

As I luxuriated in the warm water, the intercom in the room suddenly beeped and a female voice announced, "Dinner is ready!"

I stepped out of the bathtub and, with nothing else to wear, I grabbed the gown that was on the bed and quickly got dressed. As I left the room, I couldn't help but gasp and shudder when I saw Brandon standing there, staring at me.

"It's five minutes past eight. You missed your flight, but I managed to rebook it for you. The flight leaves at 8:30. You better start heading to the airport now," Brandon said, dropping another ticket on the floor.

I stepped on the ticket and walked past him. He suddenly grabbed my upper arm and pulled me back.

"Emma..." he started, but I swung my hand and freed myself from his grip. I walked closer and stood in front of him.

"Don't you dare touch me! If you lay a finger on me again, I'll kick your sorry ass!" I exclaimed, and Brandon frowned.

"Emma, please go back to Malmo," Brandon said calmly.

"I'm not going back without Julian!" I declared.

"Emma, the baby needs your attention!" I heard Eleanor's voice from downstairs. As I tried to walk past Brandon again, he held me back.

"The baby doesn't need your attention. You need to go straight to the car outside. Don't make me force you," Brandon said, quickly making his way down the stairs.

A chilly sensation suddenly washed over me, and at that moment, I truly regretted my childish decision. Marbella had always warned me to let my intelligence guide me, and now I finally understood the importance of her words. If I had listened, I would have resisted Brandon that night, and none of this would have happened.

While I stood there, consumed by regret, I heard Rachel's laughter downstairs. I quickly glanced down and saw her feeding my son, with Brandon by her side, gently shaking the baby's legs. His bodyguards surrounded the area, but their presence didn't faze me. I rushed down the stairs and stood a few feet away, staring at Rachel. She pulled the bottle out of the baby's mouth, her hand hanging there like she was waiting for me to explode.

Brandon looked at me, exhaled heavily, and made his way out as if he loathed the sight of me now. Rachel and I continued to lock eyes, a battle of wills. After a few minutes, Rachel erupted into triumphant laughter.

Rachel slowly placed Julian in his crib and turned to face me, a mischievous chuckle playing on her lips.

"Emma, you're such a fool!" Rachel said. "Oh, you think I hate my husband? Ha! I love him more than you ever could. Even Brandon knows I'm obsessed with him. It's why he insisted on marrying me, despite all your attempts to stop him! He evaluated our love and realized that mine is far more powerful.

Even though he didn't love me at first, he's slowly falling for me now. Soon he'll be head over heels for me. So, go back to Malmo, Emma, and carry on with your pathetic life. Brandon can't stand your presence anymore. You disgust him!" Rachel chuckled triumphantly.

I couldn't focus on what the two-faced woman standing in front of me was saying. My mind was consumed by the torment she had subjected me to while she confined me in that dark room, and the brutal blow she had delivered this morning.

As my mind raced back to the horrors I endured in that dimly lit room, I remembered the excruciating pain of Rachel's relentless physical and emotional abuse. The sound of her cruel laughter and her taunting words echoed in my ears and reminded me of the unbearable anguish I had endured during my time confined there.

With my lips tightly compressed, I slapped Rachel across her face with disgust. Rachel attempted to strike me back, but I swiftly seized her frail hand in mid-air and prevented her from doing so.

"Brandon!" Rachel cried out when none of the bodyguards came to her rescue.