Chapter 44

Christina POV

Doo doo-

The busy tone echoed through my phone as I stood there, frozen.

I had thought that today, with Elizabeth's surgery going smoothly, Sean and Angela would finalize their divorce. So, last night, I arranged a little celebration with a few friends at a resort, thinking we'd be toasting to a fresh start.

"How'd it go, Christina? Was that Sean on the phone?" One of my friends asked, holding up a glass of champagne.

I nodded, but it felt like my heart was sinking.

She didn't seem to notice, though. Still, she wrapped her arm around me, her voice bright. "Wow, congratulations! Is Sean coming by later? Can we stick around to celebrate with you?"

"Finally! Your Sean can get rid of that woman. After today, you'll be the real CEO's wife, right?"

"Mrs. Shaw, don't forget about us when you get rich!" another friend teased, laughing.

"And when you get married, I better be on the VIP guest list!"

"I want first-class seats! Oh, and Christina, toss the bouquet to me! I might marry my boyfriend by the end of the year."

"Really? You're getting married? Congrats!"

The words kept coming, each one a stab of discomfort, but they didn't notice. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Can you all just stop talking?" I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.

The room fell silent, everyone blinking at me in confusion.

"Christina...?"

"You're just going on and on about yourselves, and no one's even asking how I'm doing," I said, my voice rising before I could stop it. "Don't you realize how selfish you're being?"

The surprise on their faces hit me like a cold wave. I was the easygoing one, always polite, always the listener. To see me snap like this seemed to shake them.

I took a deep breath, feeling my anger and frustration slip away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to explode like that. I've just been in a bad mood. I I apologize."

I let my eyes well up with tears, wanting to salvage what little grace I had left. The last thing I needed was for them to see me as weak, but I didn't know how else to act.

My friends immediately softened, concern flooding their faces.

"Christina, what's going on? Please don't cry."

"If something's wrong, just tell us. We'll help you, okay?"

I wiped my eyes, forcing a small, sad smile. "It's just... Sean told me he's not going to divorce yet."

The words felt like a punch in the stomach, and I immediately wished I hadn't said anything.

"What? Not getting divorced? Why?"

"But we all agreed-once Elizabeth's surgery was done, he'd go through with it. What changed?"

"I know, it's that Angela, isn't it?" one friend said, narrowing her eyes. "She's holding onto Sean, doesn't want to let him go."

I opened my mouth, ready to explain, but before I could, another friend jumped in. "I knew it! She's lying to you, Christina. Don't trust her!"

"Don't worry," another friend said firmly. "If she dares to take your Sean, we won't let her get away with it."

I had been planning to just wait until Elizabeth was out of surgery. But with my friends now riled up, I couldn't help but start to entertain another thought.

What if... what if I could get rid of the child Angela was carrying?

Even if everything eventually came to light, if Sean found out, the child would be gone. The threat would disappear.

And then, when everything came out, my friends could take the fall. I wouldn't have to face any consequences.

To solidify their support, I softened my tone. "Don't be so harsh on her. Maybe Angela has her reasons."

"Reasons?" One friend scoffed. "What reason could she have to hang onto someone else's boyfriend for this long? She probably just wants to be a mistress and doesn't want to let Sean go."

"Exactly," another added. "How could she give up being Mrs. Shaw? Christina, you're too kind. Why didn't you stop Sean when he first asked her to fake a marriage?"

I didn't answer. What could I say? I wanted to stop it, but...

I lowered my gaze and fell silent.

"Don't ask Christina about it. You all know how generous she is. She felt bad for Angela when her family went bankrupt. But Angela? She's just using her family's situation to play the victim. She's shameless."

"Christina, don't worry. We'll make sure you get justice," one friend promised.

I could feel their support. They were on my side, completely.

"Please... don't. I know you're trying to help, but Angela's still in the hospital, taking care of Sean's grandmother. She's doing what she can."

They paused, taking in my words.

"Really? Well, in a few days, we'll teach her a lesson. We won't let her get away with this."

I forced a smile, even as the plan started to take shape in my mind. "No need. Let's not ruin the mood today. We're here to relax, after all. Let's just enjoy ourselves. I'm buying."

"Christina..."

I uncorked a bottle of red wine and grabbed some glasses from the cabinet.

I knew it now. I had them all on my side.