examination table, my swollen belly exposed, as the ultrasound wand glided across my skin. The soft whoosh-

warm, as she pointed to the flickering image on the screen. "

r me, momentarily eclipsing the darkne

ficult time for you, given what you told me. But... are you ab

e only way, I had convinced myself. The only way to truly disappear, to erase the threat Ho

beating heart. How could I? How could I do this to him? To my innocen

ely a whisper. The thought of losing him, after fighting so

, the more complicated things become. The choice is yours, but it's a profound one." She handed me a pam

but the chill was internal, seeping into my bones. My mind was a whirlwind of agonizing indecision.

led down, revealing Holden's impassive face. He looked expensive, impeccably dressed, a star

voice a low growl. "W

ing around my wrist. His grip was steel, painful against my

rying to pull away. The pai

pathetic attempt to gain leverage? You think I'll just let you vanish with my

the prenup, the way you ensured I had nothing. I haven't forgotten Anika McCall, or the fact th

s eyes. His grip loosened slightly, but

ether? Anika's birthday as the password, her heart condition, your grand plan to use me as an incubator? I saved your life,

red, as my career stagnated. You let Anika manipulate me, sending me pictures of you together, parading

cheeks. His eyes, usually so composed, now held a

ing away. "I never meant for you to find o

omplication was that I wasn't as blind as you thought. I loved yo

d through me. "This child," I declared, my voice clear and firm, "is mine

orror in their depths. "Elinor, yo

name back at him like a curse. "And he

ard his desperate call, "Elinor! Wait!" He moved to follow, but I broke into a run, the pain in my side

g. The decision was made. I would keep my baby. I would raise hi

ng to believe I might find a sliver of

ing to sue for full custody of the child. He's painting you as unstable, claiming you tried to termina

nborn child. Holden would not win. I closed my eyes, picturing Holden's cold, calculati

en. He was too powerful, too ruthless. I had no leverage, no resources

heart was breaking. "Tell me about 'The Undergr

linor, this is a dangerou

be born into this war. I will not let him be a pawn in Holden's twisted game. Tell me wh

resigned but determined, came through. "Alright,