AN BE

nvelope in my hand to Cristian's enraged face. A strangled gasp escaped her. She inst

us. His scornful gaze speared me. "Are you insane, Jillian? What kind of twisted game is

irthday. Consider it a gift of freedom. Yours, and mine." The paper rustle

And the confirmation of my recent loss." My words, delivered with a chilling calmness, sli

efully applied makeup suddenly stark against her ashen skin. The envelope slipp

? You're lying, Jillian. You wouldn't dare." He tried to dismiss i

nsure your precious Kallie doesn't have to deal with another one of 'my' children running around

ick up the envelope, her fingers fumbling with the seal. The guests, who had b

ch in here, make a scene, and demand a payout? Is that what this is? Some twisted attempt to ge

My vision flickered, but Cristian didn't notice, or didn't care. His focus was e

t sign the papers. You can keep everything. The house, the company, even your

t a baby?" "Poor thing, what's he done?" The pity in th

's grasp and crumpled them into a tight ball. "You won't get a dime from me, Jillian! And yo

ng yourself. Go home. We can talk about... compensation...

You and Kallie can have your happily ever after. I just need you to sign this. Now."

at the crumpled papers, then at me, as if trying to calculate his