y, her palm pressed flat against her lower stomach. In the living room, she collapsed onto the sofa, staring at the crumpled ball of paper on the floor-the pregnancy re

. Or hours. Sh

insistent ringing of a phone. It came

m door flew open and Hunter strode out, the phone pressed to his ear. The hard lines of hi

aid, the name

ent, Audra's thin, tear-tinged voice

she sobbed. "I just got back from

rned sharp with alarm. "Are you o

f the line. Then Audra's voice, laced with c

pregn

nt room. Amelia's head snapped

is knuckles turned white. A flicker of shock crossed his face, quickly re

ia had dreamed of seeing o

already soothing her, promising her the world. "Don't worry. I'll take care o

woman's child. The bitter irony flooded her veins like a tangible poison, venomous and searing. Just minu

p, then turned into a laugh. It was a hollow, desolate soun

ng with fury at the interruption. He glared

d over her. The last flickering ember of hope in her heart had been e

lders. Her gaze was clear, empty of the love an

s phone call, clear and cold as ice. "You don't need to pay the breach penal

red at her, his expression flickering with something she

ou coming to see me?" Audra's coqu

urtly into the phone, then hung

d narrowed his eyes, studying Amelia

ia," he warned in a low voice.

turned and walked toward the door, placing her hand on t

clock tomorrow morning. I want th

or softly behind her, leaving him

from the coffee table and, with a surge of force, hurled it at the sofa. The tab

e hallway, her bac

ested on h

cry. She di

ner of her mout

t was the sound of a

her phone and d

ge of plans. I don't want

pa

ate Hunter. The past th

nd walked int

osed. It beg

the floor nu

Seventee

funeral. Each flo

he doors

ut into the N

ll stood. Its glass facade r

never look u

she would o