argument from the year before-a fight that had stripped

" Caiden paused to push his glasses up, a half-smile curling on his lips as if he was te

r a reply, he turn

chair, feeling her che

iden had exploded after hearing that joke about how

led at all. If anything,

ly, her hand drift

l believed she

o good at casting himself as the victim wh

.

ad an outpati

chief physician at the cardio

oung as her to hold such a prestigious ti

he had been sought out by the hospital's director, who o

er reputation. Staff and patients alike called he

om. Settling into her own space, Iris pressed the c

er screen, preparing herself for the day ahead. T

though she'd seen this

you. Is this your first time here? W

dress that looked far too mature for her age, carrying herself with a

n, "What brings

imply studied her. Then she let

caught Iris

he woman continued,

thing fell into

d the young woman'

n from the bar's security footage, the one pr

p last night. Without it, I

eed to head over to OB-GYN if you're pregnant. This is the cardiology wing

the act. I'm carrying Caiden's child. Sho

? That was

pt on the Autumn Avenue for years had never dared to spe

ed her with enough arrog

r. Fletcher, can you book a new slot for me? Schedule

"Are you insane? You can't just get rid of my bab

here-this patient

nurses entered the office

ed her foot in outrage. "You're unbelievable! Everyone knows you schemed y

e emblem of her profession. "Expla

ck. If it hadn't been for his mother pushing for it, Caiden would never have looked twice at you. You're just bad luc

ing to a story about strangers. She set her glass down and nodded thoughtf

"I'm not about to let

, Iris suddenly had an idea. "You care abo

spicion clear in her voice.

rough the back to OB-GYN. Dr. Fletcher will be w

nd insults from Ariana, Iris reache

ed the fi

, she dial

lat and brisk. "I'm in the middle of

the hospital and gotten in the way of my work. If you leave her here, I won't be responsi

eting wrapped up. By then, Iris had fi

that morning, but he had loosened his t

part elegant, part careless

uffer between them before speaking up. "You

rames of his glasses. Not a flicker of emotion gave him

n my custody,

on from him. "You locked her u

led audacity, Iris thou

bargain," she said

Do you have any idea how much t

, I'll say it's mine-no illegitimate child for the family to fuss over. With the right story, yo

ing behind those gold-rimmed glasses. "I have to

t or a jab. She tapped the face of her watch. "Take your time, but not t