lemen

h guilt. He looked like a cornered animal. "I'm so so

family is very traditional. A single mother, especially in her circ

my gaze. "I had to help her

king. "By making my child, our chil

ou would abandon your own flesh an

, his arms crushing me. It fe

to my hair, his voice insistent.

eritance, Ava. The Bradford Corporation. My parents would disown me if they knew. Two wome

time. This is temporary. Just until the merger goes through, and

, finally pulling free. I st

sked, my voice dangerously soft. "My child's legi

. "What about my baby, Derrick? What about our ch

ice rising. "You know I love you

s, and for Charlotte. Please, Ava. Just for a little while. I promise I'll make it up to you. I'

gly sound. This man, who cared so much about his family's image, was

t marked me in two years, despite all his promises. The signs had been there, painted in neo

nd doctors whispering, pointing. The

firmer now, taking my arm again. "Let'

ally skipped to the passenger side. She opened the door and slid in, a triumphant smirk on her face. Her overs

voice sickly sweet. "You remembered my spe

us glare. "Charlotte, st

shape. "But my baby needs its daddy to be ni

His anger softened. He reached out,

his voice suddenly tender. "Ar

home was a blur of Derrick's frantic explanations. He talked about Charlotte's power

and over, like a broken record. "You understa

abortion?" I muttered, my voice flat,

front seat. "Oh, Derrick, she's so cruel

ing her back. "Shh, it's okay, sweetheart. Don't

mirror, his eyes met mine

you be so heartless? I risked everything for you, for us, when I broke it off wit

't defending me. He was chastising me. And in