LE

him a lesson?" Ryan's voice

k, his face cold as marble. The air in his stud

y time," Richard muttered, swi

se concern. "Uncle, you should at least put him in his place

he desk. "Celeste is the one disgracing me the most! She slept with an

heard my father's vo

mirk tugging at his lips. "

ng onto my father. "So, it's

made your choice when you shamed this

refused to be your pawn? Because

his voice. "If you marry me,

g my head. "You d

eleste," he whispered, his fi

, glaring at

e and spoke silently to himself. "Then

ed, watching the scene unfold with amusement. "Guess you'

ly, pushing pas

open my bedroom door. I ref

my hands trembling with rage. If

hink about my offer, Celeste. You won't s

suitcase an

t. "Are you sure yo

I spat, ya

darkened, but h

en estate, leaving behi

e, I grabbed my phone a

first ring. "Celes

ush down the emotions choking

efore she asked cau

my hair, pacing. "I s

. "Damn. That'

ng. "It wasn't planned. I just... I nee

She never did. "An

he made me feel alive-it was intoxicatin

I muttered. "I don'

the TV to drown out my thoughts. But w

d of medical malpractice, facing poten

him flashed o

ad spent th

ng curled in

through my trance. "

er as the news a

y is demanding justice, and several witnesses have stepped forward. One of

appeared o

ghtened on

ipulativ

cidence. Ryan had

nds gripped the wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. The second I pulled into the

king, I yanked off one of my h

ked onto mine, amusement flickering in them befor

u did this?" My voice shook with fury. "How could you? Damien is innocent! I only

falter. "Your father

Of course, he did. And you, like the loyal l

usted me. He let me administer that injection because he had no reason to doubt me."

didn't ruin his

countered. "And now? He'll ne

into my palms. "I will never marry you, and

"You think you can go up against

d walked away, refusing to give h

KS

ing wa

taring at the pregnancy test i

tire body went numb. Thi

o, no

ild. If my father found

ffocatingly quiet, the walls too white, too sterile. A nurse led me into a consultation room, and t

sure about this?"

tly I barely noticed my fingers wer

have to rush this decision

y voice hollow. "

t argue. "Alright. I'll giv

rembling as I placed my phone on my lap. My t

slipped, trying

dalready and I di

forcing myself to be numb. I wiped a

ctor stepped in, giving me on

my mouth

ord would

ds cradled my stomach involuntarily.

just watch and let you get rid o

nreadable. "It's alright. Take your time, You ha

c, the air outside hitting me like a slap. I

buzzed in

pped when I

y

ed, but he had h