per

he hospital air hit me be

n a hospita

coming a pa

on bandages. But the sharp pain in my leg was nothi

rpe

ong was sitting in the uncomfort

es red-rimmed. He looked l

d, my throat feel

g a cup of water. He held the straw to

ith suppressed rage. "The video from the gala

id simply. "He pushe

etal rattling. "I'm going to kill him. I swear to

t and circled his wrist wi

get away w

was cold. Calm. Dead. "But vi

g. The birth certificate. The conversation in t

ace. He held my hand so tight it hurt, but I nee

I said. "I'm leav

antly, without a second of he

I said. "But first, I n

down at m

sion knitted his brows, then

... are

id. "But no

n't judge. He just squeezed my han

t tomorrow," I said.

I'll wait for you. I'll take

d. "For being the only

s. He promised to r

ter, the d

nurse check

was

hospital, radiating arrogance

you have any idea what a PR ni

e looking at a stranger. Ho

disbelief. "You brought your mistress and

hat," Eli snapped

ame tasting like ash. "Or did you forget

s a misunderstanding. Cody is

tificate, Eli," I sai

er to the window, lookin

hat do you want? More money? I t

me, a cold smirk p

and I are going to be a family. A public one. You can stay, keep t

t desperate. He thou

divorce,

. "You won't leave me, Harper. You

"And I want nothing from you.

mpled copy of Leo's death certificate and Co

etween us like white flags of

hem up,

. The dates sta

done,

e, for the first time in years. He

. But don't expect a penny

door. Hand on the

n his eyes. "I hope you're not thinking of keeping that thin

st have seen m

ng protectively yet decisively over

"One less mista

r, the sound echoi

om was

single tear leaked o

e," I w

hours until my appointment.

he tiny cluster of cells inside me.

phone and tex

papers.

texte

eady

e pillows. My knee th

in four years, my min

I echoed

kness. "He is just the co