Warr

his primary concern wasn't his own injury. He turned to Kenda, his voic

ng between me and the shattered ivory on the f

ing my back on their pathetic display. My gaze swept over the opulent living roo

" office-a room he'd carved out for himself in my house, filled with his pretentious awards and framed

itarian hero, a cheap gift from one of his adoring, wealthy femal

ed, rushing after me, Kenda clinging to his

hand. It powdered into dust, falling through my fingers like the

as I faced him, my hand still coated in white dust, "it's mine.

pered beside him. "You can't! We'l

ng, my family is the law in this town. You think your little non-profit legal team ca

ed with it, her eyes still wide with fear, and put it t

ely forgot about me, abandoning his rage to rush to h

istraught mother." "My babysitter! She said the twins have a f

fury. He cradled Kenda's face in his hands. "Go, darling, go! I'll h

sound of her expensive heels clattering rapidly down the hal

jaw clenched. "Now, Julia. Let'

gaze unwavering. The silenc

ice cold as ice. "W

my fingers steady as I dialed

ice devoid of emotion. "I

Then Gunner's calm, measured voice.

ace was a mask of fear, confusion, and a dawning

financial records, the foundation's accounts, Kenda Perez's background, her asset

lia, you wouldn't dare! The founda

chips of ice. "You taught me that. You showed me

medical histories. Mine, particularly. Every doctor, every visit

Warren. Is he... physically well?" Gunner

a chilling smile playi

is voice. "Consider it done. Expect a preliminary report wi

said, an

"You... you can't do this, Julia. I'm

nches from him. I could smell the fear radiating off him, mingling with Kenda's resi

d about everything. About us. About a child. You took that

terror. His carefully constructed world

his voice filled with venom. "You're a

y eyes. "Perhaps. But at least my soul is my own. Unlike

heavy front door slammed shut behind me, the sound echoing through the empty house. I stood in t

game had begun. And this