The Price of a Perfect Lie

. My head throbbed. I was in a hospital room. Gregory was sitting by my bed, h

thick with emotion. "You' re

concern in his eyes felt

me in, followed by Holly Skinne

here?" I asked, my

oor. "Bella, calm down. Holly was worried. She saw yo

rising. I tried to sit up, but a

streaked sorrow. "Isabella, I' m so sorry. I never wanted this

rmance. The wronged woma

epeated, each wor

lammed his small fists into my leg, right where the I

ieked, his face twisted in a sn

the boy back. But his movements were slow,

lling Jaden into her arms. "He doesn' t understa

audacious, so blatant

skin. He called for the nurse, his voice sharp with command. But his eyes kept darting to the doo

l but tight. Gregory thanked her, then turned to

sed from exhaustion and dehy

y voice trembling with

ry said, his tone placating. "He didn

fever was now telling me that a physical assault was nothing to worry about. The realization was a physical blow, a punch to th

in. It was a clear dismissal. I heard him sigh, a sound of frustration

se the next thing I knew, the door to my room was

ed with a rage I had never seen before.

led, his grip on my shoulder

ut?" I asked, my mind fog

you were the last one to talk to

ts, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, stormed into the room

ed finger pointing at me. "You couldn' t give Gregory an heir, s

er, sealed my fate. The police arrived. I was accused of orchestrating the

m to see the truth, to trust me. "Gregory, y

w what you' re capable of anymore, Isabella."

eternity. I relived every promise he had ever made to me. I will protect you. The words mocked me, ech

o. Jaden had been "found." He had apparently wandered off and

light of day. Gregory was waiting for me. He p

spered. "It was all a misunders

ve me back to our apartment. When we walked in, Holly w

ng here?" I aske

nounced, stepping out from the kitchen. Her voice was dripping with conde

said, her voice small but firm, a clear de

t the couch, Jaden' s foot shot out, tripping me. I cried out as I fell, my bo

in on the white marble. Holly' s eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of triumpha

arms, shouting for someone to call an ambulance. My vision was blurring, the

quiet. Too quiet. I was alone. I pressed

de my door. Gregory

she?" Je

vy. "She lost the baby. It was early, only eight

pa

a severe hemorrhage. They had to... they had to per

ne. My ability to ever have another one, gone. Ripped away fro