a's

cted solely at me. "What have you done?" His voice was a low snarl, each word a lash across

eart that truly buckled my knees. My nose burned, a familiar prelude to tears I refused t

y ambassador' carelessly knocked over a beaker of concentrated acid. I reached for it. She shrieked, stumbled, and then conveniently 'accused' me." My gaze flicked to Fr

has a delicate constitution, Aliza. She's not accustomed to the hazards of a lab." His voice was lo

caping my lips. "She's the one who created the hazard

hands, clearly terrified to intervene. "I will not tolerate this, Aliza. My company invests heavil

u serious? This is my career, Dax

emind you of your family's dwindling finances? Your father's past indiscretion that nearl

me. He weaponized my vulnerabilities, turning them into instruments of control. It was a low blow, utterly devastating.

s nothing. Only a deep, unsettling disgust. He hated me. The truth, stark and undeniable, h

der my heels, the acrid smell of acid burning my nostrils.

into his arms, carrying her through the lab like a priceless artifact. "Don't wor

was so scared. She looked so... angry. Like she wanted to push me." She peeked up at him, h

ou're brave. You're always trying to help." He carried her out of t

a pristine white pillow. Dax sat by her bedside, holding her hand. "

I be, Dax? After what she did? After everythin

e paused, his gaze distant. "My promises are etched in stone, Frida. Always." He squeezed her hand, his eyes

ust... I'm so tired of being the villain, Dax. The one who broke up your perfect lif

ou belong here. With me. We'll make sure everyone u

Dax. You're the only one who truly understands." She laid her head back,

xt from one of my few remaining colleagues at the lab, a kind research assistant named Beth. Heard what happened.

s has pulled all funding for Project Chimera until you are permanently removed from the team. They' re threatening to pull out entirely if we don' t comply."

atically dismantled by the man who was supposed to be my husband. The cold, hard truth settled deep in my bon

" I whispered, the words echoing in the vast, empty house. He wa

he caller ID, then slowly answered. "What do y

gements. There's a charity gala tonight. Elegant. High-profile. You need to b

y washing over me. "You mean after you deliberatel

West family is above such petty squabbles. And besides"-his voice hardened-"it

he was dangling the "baby" as a leash. He was doing to me what his mother had done to him, tyi

voice barely a whis

A puppet in his grand design, dancing to his tune, while he pulled the st

, once again, rested lightly on my stomach as if to protect a precious secret. He was charming, attent

Mr. West, your marriage seems stronger than ev

re a team," he declared, his voice smooth and confident.

precisely what he was doing. I looked at him, then at the assembled reporters, and a cold, defiant thought took root i

meeting the reporter's gaze directly, "is a testament to... resilience. And the ability to adapt. To change, when necessary." I offered a small, enigmatic smile to