A Pawn, A Son, A Forced Marriage

Hudso

ying burn against the fire raging inside me. I stormed back into the shack, my heart

ed on her face. Her eyes, however, were devoid of any

la," she purred, her voice too sa

ying a game. "Aren't you afraid it was poisoned

me to the bone. "The poison

ing? Before I could press her, she picked up her bowl, tilting it back. She drank

r, his hand still rubbing his neck, his

rangled gasp. She stumbled backward, collapsing onto the floor, writhing in agony. "

Impossible. I had meticulously deboned the fish, especially the fresh one I cooked for her

r. He scooped her up, cradling her as if she were made of glass

realization washed over me. She wasn't poisoned. She was framing me. Framing me for harming her baby.

, but her gaze, fixed on him, was filled with manipulative

ce was choked, tears streaming down his face as he stumbled out. He loved that child, truly. More than he had ever loved me. More than he had

king onto mine. "If anything happens to her, Ayla, or

. "With threats?" My last shred of sympathy for Ilene evaporated. She was a weap

yelled, desperate. "

low and dangerous. "Kneel befo

e arm around Ilene tightened, almost crushing her. "A

ards them, my gaze unwavering. I reached out, my fingers tracing the purplish flush

ur precious child, worth more than your precious dignity?" I leaned closer, my v