thing in me, along with my anger, guilt, and shame, but it

out, only to meet an angry Jordan, standing

to you?" he barked. "You went to throw up

ed my wrist hard. His gri

he only thing I gained was a sharp

ouldn't I be the one disgusted after everything you did? After you seduced me and ruined my l

," I whispered, pa

hurt me far more than you could ever understand. You

I stumbled backward, clutching my arm, th

ake me

g the ache in my wrist, as shame settled deep in my bones. The g

mumbled. I wasn't su

he wouldn't care. This was my punish

see a trace of you when I bring her here tonight." He tu

r, my body trembling as a single tear slipped down my chee

ls didn't speak, and the silence scream

at might remind him of me. He was going to bring another woman, Vi

dreamed I'd be the woman preparing the bed for

walked out. Strai

use. A spot not of peace, but of solitude. Where I could remember

d my secrets. M

. And every day, I found m

I finally decided to do some

the ho

ake sure the tiny life growing inside me was

h any of the family cars, and no one off

t beat faster with every p

ilently th

y father married Maggie, Victoria's mother. Technically, Victoria w

betray

sed me like I was hers. And I repaid he

softly. "Your baby is doing okay. But, Layla... y

hit m

'd go easier on me once they knew. Maybe they'd stop

mansion. It was as quiet as a graveyar

ace before the house be

Probably enjoying each other.

ion wouldn't

n being with other women while married?

ly the

needed a long, warm shower. Something to wash off the fe

e I was bathing toda

e. Even if just f

eyes closed, letting th

d felt clearer-until I gas

. K

er eyes wild, fists clenched a

ask what it was

est r

lifting the paper with trembl

was sharp.

's..." I stumbl

snarl. "Are you trying to pin a

ped open. My

st

d a bastard," I sai

e I had sl

rd, fury radiating from her like fi

xplode-and I had j