Blak

omach, a theatrical gasp escaping her lips. It was clear she was playing the victim, exaggerating whatever minor discomfort she felt from t

ring around her, not daring to touch. The fear in his voice was palpable, a sta

I... I'll send someone back for you. We need to get Briana to the hospital." He didn't look at me, his gaze fixed on Briana's pale, triumphant face. His words were

hen I cautiously raised it, came away slick with blood. A large gash, I realized, was probably weeping on the back of my skull. The pain radiated throug

crificed the baby for me? It was a foolish, fleeting hope, born of years of loving him. But then I saw his face, the raw fear for her and their

d a path through the blood and grime

kins, our long-time housekeeper, walked in, her face paling to a ghostly white when she saw me. "Mrs. Blake! Goo

eing carefully lifted onto a stretcher, the jostling motions sending fresh waves of agony through my

urmur near my head. "The billionaire. Heard his ex-girlfri

bbey, was infertile. Must be wh

was already out. The narrative already shaped. I was the barren wife, easily replaced. The

ugh my closed eyelids. Every stitch, every antiseptic wipe, felt like a fresh betrayal

ry room. A cacophony of hushed whispers and sharp tones. When I finally fully regained consciousness, gr

s in a state of shock. Carrying David's child, our heir, and you put her through this." She didn't even acknowledge the bandages around my head. Her eyes, instead, were fixed on some point beyond me, as if I we

nnell is right. You need to think about the family, about poor David. He's so distressed. And what about your brother, Mark? His medical bills... the Mcconnells have been so generous." Her

You married into a powerful family. These things happen.

gh. "We always taught you to be sensible, Abbey. Don't

y injury. Not one of them showed a flicker of genuine worry for me. It was all about David, Briana, the baby, the family le

mples, stinging the wound on

you, just stop!" It was David. He stood at the doorway, his face pale, his eyes bl