Chapter 6: The Baby Shower Nobody Would Forget
Roland's phone continued ringing.
Neither of us moved.
The name ALISTAIR glowed across the screen, illuminating Roland's increasingly pale face.
I looked at him.
"Are you going to answer that?""
He pressed the button and declined the call.
"Stay out of this, Eleanor.""
I leaned against the doorway.
"That's interesting. You came to my house, brought flowers, and threatened me. But I'm supposed to stay out of it?""
"You're making a mistake.""
"No, Roland. For six years, I made mistakes. I trusted you.
I trusted Camille. I believed your lies about my body, my marriage, and my worth.""
His jaw tightened.
"Don't pretend you know everything.""
"Then tell me something. Did you know the baby was Alistair's before you married Camille?""
He looked toward the street.
That was answer enough.
I stepped aside.
"Goodbye, Roland.""
He picked up the roses.
For a second, I thought he might throw them.
Instead, he placed them carefully on the porch railing.
"You'll regret humiliating me.""
I smiled.
"That's funny. I thought you were coming here to invite me to a baby shower.""
He walked away without another word.
I watched his car disappear around the corner.
Then I locked the door.
My phone rang almost immediately.
Beatrix.
"Did he come to see you?""
"Yes.""
"What did he say?""
"He confirmed more than he intended.""
"Did you record the conversation?""
I looked at the small security camera above my front door.
"Every second.""
"Excellent. Send me the footage. And Eleanor?""
"Yes?""
"Tomorrow, don't improvise. We have a plan.""
The next morning, I woke before sunrise.
I stood in front of my wardrobe for nearly twenty minutes.
I wasn't choosing an outfit to impress Camille.
I wasn't trying to look younger, thinner, richer, or happier than her.
I simply wanted to look like myself.
I chose a fitted midnight-blue dress, black heels, and a simple silver necklace my grandmother had given me.
At nine, Beatrix arrived.
She carried a document case.
"Everything is ready.""
"Alistair?""
"He's coming separately.""
"Will he speak?""
"He has agreed to make a formal statement if necessary.""
I nodded.
Beatrix placed a small recording device on the table.
"Don't use this unless I tell you. The venue has security cameras, and we've already arranged for our investigator to preserve relevant footage.""
I looked at her.
"Are you expecting trouble?""
"I'm expecting Roland.""
She handed me a folder.
Inside were copies of the DNA report, the fertility records, the forged consent form, and the financial transfers.
"Keep this with you.""
I closed the folder.
"What about the family trustee?""
"His name is Richard Mercer. He'll be there.""
"Does he know?""
"He knows there's a dispute. He doesn't yet know the full extent of it.""
I nodded.
"Then let's make sure he hears the truth.""
At noon, I arrived at the hotel.
The baby shower occupied the grand ballroom.
White roses covered the tables. Gold ribbons hung from the ceiling. A large crystal chandelier reflected light onto the polished floor.
A photographer stood near the entrance.
A woman in a pale pink dress approached me.
"Eleanor?""
I turned.
It was Vanessa, one of Camille's college friends.
She looked uncomfortable.
"I didn't expect you to come.""
"Camille invited me.""
Vanessa glanced at my dress.
"You look lovely.""
"Thank you.""
She hesitated.
"Listen, I know things have been difficult, but today is about the baby.""
I smiled.
"Of course.""
She seemed relieved.
Then she lowered her voice.
"Camille has been telling everyone you're struggling with the divorce.""
I raised an eyebrow.
"Has she?""
"She says she worries about you.""
I looked across the ballroom.
Camille stood near the stage, laughing with Roland's mother.
Her pregnant stomach was visible beneath a flowing white dress.
She looked radiant.
And when she noticed me, her smile widened.
"Ellie!""
She hurried toward me.
"You're here!""
She hugged me before I could respond.
Her perfume was exactly the same expensive fragrance she'd once cried about not being able to afford.
"I wasn't sure you'd come," she whispered.
"You sent an invitation.""
She pulled back and examined my dress.
"Beautiful. I was worried you'd feel uncomfortable.""
"Why would I?""
She tilted her head.
"Oh, you know. Being around pregnant women.""
I looked directly into her eyes.
"I'm perfectly comfortable.""
Her smile faltered.
Then she took my hand.
"Come. I saved you a seat.""
She led me to a table near the front.
My place card was positioned directly beside Roland's mother.
How thoughtful.
Camille leaned toward me.
"I hope you don't mind. I thought you might enjoy being close to family.""
I pulled out the chair.
"That's very considerate.""
She squeezed my shoulder.
"Today is about new beginnings.""
I sat down.
"Then let's make it memorable.""
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Before she could answer, Roland approached.
He wore a charcoal suit and a gold tie.
He bent down and kissed Camille's forehead.
Then he looked at me.
"Eleanor.""
"Roland.""
He glanced at the folder beside my handbag.
"You brought paperwork?""
"Just something to read.""
His smile tightened.
"Let's not spoil the occasion.""
I looked at him.
"That depends on the occasion.""
He walked away.
For the next hour, I listened to speeches about Camille's pregnancy.
Roland's mother spoke first.
She described the baby as the answer to years of family prayers.
Camille cried.
Roland held her hand.
Then his mother raised her champagne glass.
"To our little Mercer boy. May he inherit his father's strength and his mother's beauty.""
The guests applauded.
I lowered my eyes to my plate.
A few minutes later, Camille approached the microphone.
"Thank you all for coming," she began.
Her voice trembled with practiced emotion.
"I know some people thought this journey would be difficult. But sometimes life has a way of bringing the right people together.""
She looked directly at me.
I didn't move.
"Sometimes," she continued, "you have to let go of what wasn't meant for you before you can receive what truly belongs to you.""
Several guests nodded.
Camille smiled.
"I also want to thank Roland. He's shown me what real love looks like. He's given me a home, a family, and the chance to become a mother.""
She touched her stomach.
"And he's promised our little boy that he'll always have everything he needs.""
Applause filled the ballroom.
Then Roland took the microphone.
"There's one more thing I'd like to announce.""
Beatrix had warned me.
I placed my napkin beside my plate.
Roland looked toward Richard Mercer, the family trustee.
"Today, I'd like to formally recognize my son as the next generation of the Mercer family.""
A wave of applause began.
He raised his hand.
"And I'd also like to announce that I've begun the process of consolidating certain family business interests. This includes a company previously connected to my former marriage.""
The applause stopped.
He turned toward me.
"Eleanor and I have some unfinished financial matters. Unfortunately, she has refused to cooperate.""
I looked around the room.
Every face was turned toward me.
Roland continued.
"I didn't want to discuss private matters today. But I believe everyone deserves to understand why certain arrangements must be made.""
Camille stepped beside him.
Her expression was sympathetic.
"Ellie, please don't be upset. Nobody wants to hurt you.""
I stood.
"That's a strange thing to say after the message you wrote on my invitation.""
A few people exchanged glances.
Camille blinked.
"What message?""
I reached into my handbag and removed the invitation.
I held it up.
"Sorry you couldn't give him a son.""
The room went silent.
Camille's face flushed.
"It was a joke.""
I looked at her.
"Was it?""
Roland stepped forward.
"Eleanor, sit down.""
I ignored him.
Then the ballroom doors opened.
Alistair walked in.
He wasn't alone.
Beside him stood Beatrix.
And behind them was Martin Hayes, carrying a thick folder.
Camille's hand flew to her stomach.
Roland's expression changed.
Alistair walked toward the stage.
He stopped beside his brother.
"Hello, Roland.""
Roland gripped the microphone.
"What are you doing here?""
Alistair looked at Camille.
"I'm here to meet my son.""
May you like
The room erupted in whispers.
And Camille, who had spent months celebrating a perfect family, suddenly looked as though she might faint.
