eters

oo

adn't even known I was looking for. Brooke Shelton. The legend from hi

a joy that was like a physical blow. He strode tow

gasped, my hand flying to my stomach as I leaned again

my voice a strained whispe

back, his voice distracted. "Take an Advil." He was so used to dismissing my pain, so conditio

eat broke out on my forehead. "No," I gasped, my knees th

nds. He looked at me, but his eyes were filled with annoyance

atic. I have a very im

reath a struggle. "What party

tached. "It's a welcome-home party for Brooke. She just got back f

he phone call. His happiness. It was a

o the crisp fabric of his shirt. My voice was a raw plea. "T

elly. I thought of the baby. A n

asp with a sharp jerk. "Stop it, Ava.

merican Express card, and tossed it onto the coffe

aying me off. Dismissing me like a pr

t his cold, handsome face. My hea

tone was final, the voice of a man giving an order, not speaking to his wife. He

he agony in my soul were strangling me. I watched him grab his key

r baby," I cried out, the words tearing from my th

icker of surprise crossed his face, but it was gone

ving me with a single, de

ping in and chilling me to the bone. I collapsed

ic of my pants, a dark red stain was blooming, gro

ut my calls for help were

o pull me under. But some primal instinct for survival fought back.

e phone to my ear, waiting for a voice on the other end, m

d he be

ospital yourself. Brooke's