r Mar

ak, my body shaky from the emotional strain. My head felt light. I held onto the wall for support. I ju

I fell to the polished floor. A sharp pain shot through my abdomen. My breath cau

ain exploded behind my eyes. Black spots danced in my vision. I tasted blood.

e into focus. Davida Brandt. Her eyes were wide, her mouth a perfect O of exaggerat

l gasp and slowly sank to the floor, her movements graceful. It was a performance. I saw it cle

ir faces were etched with panic. They did not even glance at me, sprawled

antic concern. "Davida! Are you alright? What happened?" He rushed her towards the

mile plastered on his face. He watched Bernard carry Davida away, his hand, still holding the test kit,

p. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead. My lips felt dry, bloodless. The physical pain

to escape. Just as I started to rise, a thick, black cloth bag was suddenly pulled over my head. Darkness envel

e-hot agony flared. I doubled over, my body convulsing. The pain was so intense, it choked off any

uffled voices reached me. Cole's voice. Cold. Detached. "Take her away. Make sure she understands. Teach her

ke a narrow alley. The black bag remained over my head. Blows rained down on me. Fists, feet. Each hit was a f

blows. "Boss says Davida is carrying his baby. He's mad as hell. You shouldn't have crossed her." Their

ly asked for a harsher lesson this time." The words echoed in my mind. Harsher lesson. This time. The memory of my bro

The threats. The pain. All of it. He was not just a manipulator. He was a monster. M

n further. The last flicker of light in my eyes died. There was

red. There was no going back. No forgiveness. No understanding