I stumble as I get out of the car—an *Aston Martin Valkyrie*, no less. Of course, Reo loves making an entrance, even if I can barely keep my feet on the ground. Before I can hit the pavement, Reo’s hand grips my arm, pulling me back upright. For a second, I’m too shocked to respond. His touch is firm, strong, but when my eyes drift down to his wrist… *No way.*

A bracelet. *Not just any bracelet.*

A flood of memories hit me—a moment from what feels like a lifetime ago. It was after one of our nights together, where his smooth words had melted me. We lay tangled in the sheets, his breath warm against my skin. I had reached over to the nightstand and picked up the small silver bracelet, fastening it around his wrist.

*“This is my heart and soul, Reo. Keep it safe for me, yeah?”*

He smiled at me then, a real, genuine smile, and kissed my forehead like I was the center of his universe. *“Always, Jennie. You’re my heart and soul too.”*

Now, here he is, wearing the same bracelet, as if it never meant a thing. As if he hasn’t thrown me to the side like trash.

I blink hard, forcing myself back to the present. Reo snaps his hand away, his eyes narrowing. “Watch your step, O’Neal. You’re always so damn clumsy.”

Heat rises in my cheeks, but I bite my tongue. It’s just Reo, doing what he always does—acting like I’m a burden. I follow him inside his penthouse, each step feeling heavier than the last.

The penthouse is like a modern art exhibit—cold, sleek lines, expensive furniture, and a view that stretches over the entire city. It’s beautiful, but it feels sterile. Nothing like a home.

And then, of course, there’s Adele.

She’s standing by the window, her long, raven-black hair flowing down her back, her skin glowing in the afternoon light. She’s the kind of woman people stare at without even meaning to. Tall, slim, with sharp features and these ice-blue eyes that could cut through steel. And of course, she’s wearing something designer—head to toe in luxury.

As I walk in, her lips curve into a smile. “Well, well, if it isn’t the long-lost sister.” Her voice is dripping with sarcasm, but the words sting.

*Long-lost sister*? I bristle, rolling my eyes. We do have an eerie resemblance—same bone structure, similar body type, even the same height, almost—but the last thing I want is to be compared to her. Still, the comment lingers. Something about it feels off.

“Oh, please, Adele,” I say, forcing a whiny, bratty tone into my voice. “Don’t flatter yourself. If we’re sisters, you must’ve got the evil twin genes.”

Adele’s smile doesn’t falter. If anything, it widens, and that’s when I know I’ve hit the mark. “Oh, Jennie,” she purrs and steps closer. “You know, it’s funny… Reo never mentioned you were so… spirited.” Her eyes flash with something dark—something dangerous.

Before I can throw another insult her way, Reo’s men step in, handing him an envelope. Reo’s eyes skim the contents, and his expression hardens. He looks up at me, his jaw tight.

“Jennie,” his voice is dangerously low now. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I swallow, already knowing what he’s about to say, but I wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole. “Tell you what?”

He tosses the paper onto the table and narrows his eyes at me. “The pregnancy, Jennie. *Our second child*.”

Before I can even think, the words slip out of my mouth. “He’s not yours!”

Reo’s eyes flash with something dangerous, his lips curling into a mocking smile. When he steps forward, his presence is like a dark cloud hanging over me. Adele, ever the viper, clicks her tongue in faux sympathy.

“Oh, Jennie, always so dramatic,” Adele coos as her gaze shifts to Reo with a sickening smile. “She probably wanted to keep it a secret… you know, just like *last time*.”

My fists ball at my sides, the humiliation burning hot under my skin, but I can’t move. Can’t breathe. Reo steps closer, his gaze piercing, cold. I can see the storm brewing in his eyes, but he’s holding it back, just barely.

“Really?” he asks sharply, but his words cut deeper than any knife. “Is that how you’re playing this?”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words die in my throat. The silence between us is suffocating.

“You should’ve told me,” his voice hardens. “What, you thought I wouldn’t find out? Or maybe… you thought you’d keep me in the dark while you carried on playing your little games.” His eyes bore into mine, as if he’s dissecting me piece by piece.

The room feels too small, too stifling. He’s angry, but there’s something more, something that makes my stomach twist with fear. He doesn’t care. Not really. Not about me. Not about this pregnancy.

“I suppose you’re so ‘pure,’ right?” Reo’s voice drops and turns into a sneer. “Pure enough to carry my son, but not pure enough to even be honest with me. You’ve always been a liar, Jennie.”

He takes a step closer. “You’re nothing but a shameless woman who can’t keep her legs closed. Sleeping around like it’s a sport, yet you think you’re ‘pure’ enough to raise my son? You’re disgusting. You utterly disgust me.”

His words hit me harder and the pain settles deep in my chest. I feel the sting of his insults, but I force myself to stay still; my fists are clenched at my sides and my nails are digging into my palms. *Don’t react, don’t let him win.* The words echo in my mind, but they do little to numb the pain.

I want to scream, to lash out, but I stay silent. This is what he does—he breaks me down piece by piece. And right now, I’m too shattered to fight back.

When I don’t respond, he glares at me, frustration glaring in his eyes. “Why are you pretending, Jennie? Why are you refusing to tell me the truth?”

I shake my head and barely make a whisper. “You’re not the father.”

Reo’s expression shifts. His voice drops even lower, but it's still filled with menace. “Fucking whore,” he says as he leans closer, “who’s the fucking father?”

His words hit like a slap, and I feel my heart crack open. I ball my fists tighter, willing myself not to cry. Not to break in front of him.

“Jennie,” Reo’s voice is quieter now but no less threatening. “Who’s the father?”

I freeze, my pulse racing, every inch of me screaming to get out of this situation. My mind blanks, and all I can do is stare at the ground, hoping that if I stay quiet long enough, he’ll stop.

“I won't repeat myself again, O’Neal,” he says more insistently this time. “Who. Is. The. Father?”

My throat closes up. I can feel the panic rising, but no words come out.

Before I can say anything, one of his men walks in, handing him his phone. As Reo glances at the screen, his jaw tightens before he takes the call.

“I’ll handle this,” he mutters and turns away from me. “Keep her here.”

As he walks off, Adele shoots me a look that could kill, her lips curling into a sneer. She leans closer, just enough to whisper, “You’re not as innocent as you pretend to be, Jennie. And trust me, Reo’s not the only one who sees it.”

I bite my tongue, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me crack.

A few minutes later, Reo finishes his call and strides back into the room. His expression is unreadable. He leans down to brush a kiss against Adele’s cheek before turning to me.

“Take her back to Leo’s,” he orders his men dismissively. “I’m done here.”

As one of his men steps forward to escort me out, Reo grabs my waist, pulling me close enough that his breath is hot against my ear. “If this child is for who I think it is… you won’t want to find out what I’ll do, O’Neal.”

My body stiffens. Before I can even process his words, he lets go and turns back to Adele who’s watching me with those cold, evil eyes. She leans into him to whisper something into his ear as her hand rests on his arm in a way that makes my stomach turn.

I glance back one last time before I’m shoved into the waiting car. The door slams shut, and as the engine starts, all I can think about is Ava.

*I need out. I need to escape. For me. For my children.*

Back at Leo’s mansion, I stumble inside, my legs feeling like hard metal as I collapse onto the bed. I pull out my phone. Ava’s number is already pulled up. My hands are shaking, but I dial anyway.

“Ava,” I whisper when she picks up. “I’m ready. I just need my baby out. Safe. From all this—this bullshit. What do I do?”

Before she can respond, the phone is ripped out of my hands. I immediately spin around. My heart leaps into my throat as I see Leo standing there, his expression dark.

“Who the hell are you talking to?”