pital room. The second was the dull, empty ache in her lower abdomen. She slowly moved he

to breathe. Tears she hadn't been able to cry before now welled up and strea

n't alone. Bethany Greene was with him, her hand linked tightly with his. They looked li

sh wound. He used to hold her hand like that, his thumb gently

said, his voice devoid

h what looked like fear, but Scarlett coul

slightly. "I'm scared of her. She went to my parents' house ye

e hadn't left the villa. She had been locked in

bout?" Scarlett's voice

n her eyes. "Julian, tell her. I was at home. You

ing up stories to get attention. Bethany's parents are old. You scared them h

. He had already decided she was the villain in his story. The last shred of hope that he

that scraped her raw throat. "Innocent? Julia

nt to hear her excuses. I just want her to apologize. She needs to

his eyes hard as stone. "

" Scarlett said, her voice shakin

presence overwhelming. He grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her skin, and dragged he

ont of Bethany, his hand a v

" he ordered, push

her chest. To be forced to bow before this woman, the one who had stolen her husband and destroyed he

orced the words out,

mall, victorious sm

e stumbled back, catching he

ulian said, his tone busines

nding quietly by the door. The lawyer stepped f

er. "The settlement will ensure you can live comfortably for the rest o

this is just temporary. He says he needs to get this fling with Ms. Greene out of

udacity of his words was breathtaking. He destroyed her, took everything from her-her l

utter and complete finality. The love she had held for him f

moment's hesitation, she signed her name on the

e plane ticket from the table. "Thank you

ected tears, begging, a scene. Her qu

im straight in the eye. The words were simple, but they ca

him standing there with Bethany. She didn't l

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