nna'

ll is Julian

y setting my bag down before m

itantly, glancing over her should

d my eyes

um, your husband are in his office. T

ned. "

ell was he

hile I enjoyed a small break from his insufferable presence. Instea

t twi

s and marched towar

after me, "Ma

didn't

without knocking, my pu

composed as ever. Julian, on the other hand, leaned against the desk, arms

m looked surpr

smoothly, gesturing toward th

chair. "What

ly, clearly annoyed.

tand." My voi

lian before leaning back in his ch

ced m

ecutive power of the company w

ked. "

Julian will tak

"That's funny. Really. Now,

them so muc

. They we

mach d

ing my company to

It's not just yours. And soo

eezed out o

e cracking. "You told me I would t

flinch. "Things

gs c

ed. Humiliate

care. "You handed me over to Julian like I was some pawn. And no

ped. "This is happening whether y

ned behin

ching me like a predator en

dn't s

and sto

answer Chloe's

ing my bag from my office

I got insid

eering wheel. My father had betrayed me. My own

d do nothi

Ding

. I wasn't in the

ing. Di

it from my bag

th

e world

pict

ed pic

en like a nightmare I

turned

art s

i

age po

y sex mistress, or these pic

Stra

No

shook v

dn't b

cream tore fr

o one

could h

s tr

trembling fingers, called th

rp

i

i

i

, Si

!" I sobbed, my

*****

Months

office since that day. S

n life. I spent most days locked a

things have

on, chills. I wa

get out. I n

phone and c

me to the

ce instantly sharpe

dmitted. "I just...

my w

t in a cold examination ro

not here. I was

d in, a clipboard in hand

s he s

hing okay?

tellanos," he said

atulations...?" H

elve weeks

hing.

gna

gna

ed, but no w

tion table, the doctor's wo

egnant." No. No, no, no

ce again," he added

m, unable to p

someone rushed into the room. It was

, sorry

ped mid-

and the doctor, then lande

GOD." s

th a moment. I'll be back shortly with your pres

noticed h

my arm. "Sienn

outh, but not

ntly. "This is huge! You'

ed, my th

g to be happy about,

ltered. "Wha

My hands trembled as I gri

t know who the fat

le

Wait... what do y

Harper... The last time I had s

zation dawn

ss nights," we chorused "With

ished for me, her eye

Oh this is

harp, panicked.

ks. "I... I didn't know

okay. Think. We need to figure

art p

on," she finally

my wet chee

k a dee

find the stranger."

t?!!