sm

grips my chest. What if he denies any involvement? W

how you're going to take this. It's perfectly fine if you don't want to be involved but a

faster than I intend,

el lifts a finger and gently

mth through my body, igniting emotions I

says softly, his ex

lright? Just like that?

ng deeper than mere acceptance. "I...

shes over me, but uncertainty lingers. "Beli

aving mine. "I trust you. If you s

is a mystery. He appeared at my workplace with

t hesitation. Something about him f

reaches across the table, taking

'm here. No matter what you decide

w months ago. I know I was reckless that night, and I'm not proud o

. "I understand. I won't rush you into any

"Earlier, you said there was somethin

that. Before I can press him further, I decide to leave it

ight air wraps around me. Just as I raise

drive yo

me intently, silently plea

thered my child doesn't mean I know anything about him. What if he's da

nd my way," I

doesn't argue. He simply nods and walk

oung to have this much wealth. The t

. As we drive off, I glance out the win

*

riend, Ava, greets me with an expectant l

along as I recount

she muses, her bro

about him. It's hard to trust someone so quick

st isn't something you give away freely-it has to be e

hs L

spend more time with Gabri

ving through life with a quiet co

access to the most exclusive places. He is a man who is u

omething has sh

for canceling plans more frequent. When we do talk, our

I finally con

ou've been acting strang

ssed from work. I prom

ere's more she's not saying. "You

er response lac

*

e park. Watching children laugh on swings and couples holdi

e here. As I walk along the pathway, my hand insti

I se

n my throat as Maxw

In an instant, his face contorts in

cuts through the ai

cks, holding my

tomach. "You... you're pregnant?" His voice

, I

are you? You're still my wife

e a slap. He hasn't

he child I'm carrying isn't

can just erase me from your life? You thi

, his fury radiating off him in waves. Instinctively, I t

I say firmly, maskin

t his sides, his entire body vibrating wi

spond, another

oug

forward, his t

ens as he takes in the man standin

tion. "Jasmine and I are together now

last time before storming

embling from the encounter. Gabriel

sily," I murmur, my voic

"Then we'll make sure yo

pine. I know Maxwell to