dy had been gone for two months before his death, always away for wor

he house. The truth became glaringly obvious. Talia's child must be Jayden's. Their affair

Jayden once struggled with infertility, and it was only through her knowledge that he recovered. She had h

threatened to

ware of his medical history and knew how much this baby meant to

of venom. "I never realized just how cruel you could be. You owe Talia, and you'

e Spencer family's punishments were brutal-a hundred lashes, something no ordinary man could endure, let alone someone as f

en forced her down, pinning her to the cold floor. Within minutes,

long years, he tied her hands and ankles, shoving her to her knees. The rough cords bit into her skin,

s suddenly thrust

th. "Start recording. Talia will want t

voice came out in a hoarse whisper. "You're really

h contempt. "Don't be so dramatic

, but this pain would make her wish for it. Was this the same Jayden who once cl

. Deanna met Jayden's eyes, her gaze no longer so

tbeat. His hand slipped, and the whip landed at an a

her bones stayed intact, but the ag

ompared to the devast

shaky yet unwavering. "If I could do it

m. Had she somehow learned the truth? That couldn't be-he'd covered hi

s shout. "Brody, just what do you think

belief clouding his face. He stared at Deanna, bewildered. "Next Mrs. G

e pulled herself up, barely managing to

yes flashing with cold defiance

o longer her husband, just a brother-in-law. Even if she gave her heart to someone else, he had no right to in

d, Jayden couldn't muster t

oved Jayden aside, moved swiftly to Deanna, and knelt

and bleeding, every movement sendi

oduced himself in a gentle tone. "Ms. Evans, my name is B

that, even battered and weakened, Deanna's beauty w

aine's hand-no doubt a formal token from the Gordons. Seeing Deanna accept help

en's funeral was barely eleven days ago and you're already moving on? Don't yo

s gaze, every word dripping with contempt.

dn't meet her eyes, so he turned on Blaine instead. "Mr. Lambert,

es narrowed as he replied, "You don't approve?

He squeezed Deanna's wrist until she

. The ring struck his cheek and left a thin, bloody mark. Her voice rang with