s. Flashbulbs snapped. Reporters shouted. Staff ci

d in a glittering designer gown she hadn't picked, makeup layered

beside her, all ch

ion," he said smoothly to the cro

n two days. Her stitches throbbed. Her breasts ached from nursing. Her babies,

omach

still smiling at the crowd. She recoiled s

corks popped. The headlines w

e Year: Ares Langford's Redempti

*

continued. But Ares dragged her to t

bout to faint out there." H

tered. "Give me a

barrass

, Ares. What

a deal. If you want that money

above a whisper. "You still think mo

answer, a butl

w grade fever. The pediatrician w

" Ares

precauti

dy stiffened. "Wh

munity, infection markers

ce wen

immediately

o fast. "Fine

rt was alre

*

lly slept, Tessa sat alone in the private lounge. Her mind

ear's E

t club in

lights.

ink. One night sh

't seen

sharp jawline and per

ou don't need to know my nam

onely. Despe

he was. Never knew,

onths later in a hospital h

but after he offered her a million dol

she suppo

hispering, "God... what have I done

*

ipping espresso, scrolling through social media w

aid. "Doctor said there's nothing alarmi

ntly collected the results, his hand

esults and flushed them down the sink.