o ignore the persistent ache in her belly. Suddenly, the door was

and her stepmother, Cristin, stormed int

The sound echoed in the small room. The blow snapped Crista's head to the

h her eyes were gleeful. She grabbed Gardner's arm, pre

eful brat! You refuse to divorce him, and now you're going nex

he looked at the man who was supposed to be he

void of any warmth. "Let me gues

intment. "Crista, you're so malicious! The Anderson Group is

wing your true colors, aren't we? This isn't about marriage

through the pain in her abdomen. She locked eyes

as on the brink of bankruptcy. You got me drunk. You set me up with Co

e with rage. He raised his

challenged coldly. "And I will call the press right now a

A flicker of fear crossed his e

bing at her eyes. "We raised you! We gave you ev

offed. "Did you think about 'repayment'

Her face went white. She screeched like a ca

abbed Crista's arm, her nails dig

rough her healing abdomen. The incomplete miscarriage had left her incredibly vulnerable, and the rough handli

playing games," he snapped impa

ecame ragged. Cold sweat poured down her face

ing red stain was rapidly spreadin

he let go of Crista as if she had tou

slack as he stared at the bl

again. Conrad walked in, pu

g on the horrific amount of blood on

he looked past her panicked pare

Her vision went black. She collapsed backward ont