In a room full of power, her body told the story no one could silence.

—-

Lily’s POV

The room went still, like the moment before a storm swallows a town whole.

“You’re joking,” I whispered, even though I knew he wasn’t.

“No,” Daniel said calmly. “You’ll have a baby. It’s the only way to erase the scandal. Replace it with something better.”

Alex didn’t flinch. Didn’t speak. But he looked at me, a false and terrifying sense of calm washed over his features.

“You can’t be serious,” Susan hissed. “You want this slut to carry your grandchild? After everything she’s done?”

Alex’s father shrugged, cool and dismissive as if...