The Betrayal That Broke Us

sure perfectly restored. He ran a hand through his hair

dripping with false sincerity. "She's... unstable. She's been o

s on getting better." He smoothed my hair back from my forehead. His touch felt lik

igning exhaustion. "

oice soft as silk. "Get som

time before he finally settled into the uncomfortable visitor's chair. When his own breathing deepened into sleep

et hum of the hospita

oor opening. I remained completely st

hesitant, approaching the b

lia

as C

What are you doing here?

thetic whine. "I was so worried. What about us, Jul

calculated weapon. I heard Juli

, Chloe. Just gi

g slightly. "She's going to find out.

e the blood in my veins. The

. Once Elara's baby is born, we'll tell her it died. A complication during birth. It happens all the ti

lips. "Julian... coul

our family? I'

so utterly evil, I almost sat up and screamed. I bit my lip, t

weren't

her voice laced with a new kind of excitemen

ing. A few phone calls, a generous donation to the right charity. The police report

mot

iver four years ago. A hit-and-run. The poli

lled my mother. And

moment, the grief for my lost baby, for my stolen life, for my mur

hey would both pa

them whisper about their future, a future built on my pai

him stir again. He checked on me, his hand briefl

I grabbed my phone. My hands were

swered, my voice raw. "It

no questions asked. "W

ing like vengeance. "His company, his reputation, his f

s talking in the hallway, their voic

es is about to finalize that merger wit

" the other replied. "She was the real

a sigh. "But now... she just kind

They ha

ould. Ever