What was this?


    "The results aren''t even out yet, Derek! And you''ve already decided the child isn''t yours?" Adelle screamed, her voice shrill with hysteria. She shot a venomous look at Dan, then turned to Derek—and this time, her eyes really did fill with tears.


    It was all happening so fast. One moment, everything was normal. The next, they were talking about a paternity test, as if the ground had just disappeared beneath her feet.


    Adelle''s outburst was met with nothing but Derek''s icy stare.


    Just as Dan had warned: the more Adelle lost control, the more it looked like she had something to hide. And what could that be, if not the desperate hope to keep the test from going through?


    Representatives from all three sides-five from each were there to supervise the proceedings. No one, no matter how clever, could rig those results.


    Ever since they''d sent off the blood samples, Adelle had been crying and causing a scene. Derek, whose trust had already started to crumble, found every sob and shout only magnified his doubts.


    So when Adelle cried out again, Derek''s eyes narrowed with dangerous intent. "We''ll wait for the results. Understood?"


    He enunciated every word, menace clear in his tone.


    By now, the doorway was crowded with bodyguards. It was obvious—if Adelle and Finch wanted to leave, they''d have to force their way past.


    But it hardly mattered anymore-whether they ran or not, their fate was sealed. For Adelle and Finch, no amount of struggle could change what that test would say. And yet, if they didn''t try to flee before the results came in, would they ever get another chance?


    After so many years, Derek''s coldness was finally aimed at her. For so long, that ruthlessness had been reserved for the other women and their children. Back then, Adelle had basked in the warmth of Derek''s affection-protected, adored by the most powerful man in the city. She''d been so confident, so sure of her ce.


    But now...


    She knew, clear as daylight: if the results showed Finch wasn''t his child, everything Derek once did to those other women, he would now do to her.


    The thought made her blood run cold.


    "Do all these years together mean nothing to you?" she choked out.


    Dan cut in, voice dry. "Is this really the time for sentiment?"


    "Shut up! Just shut up!" Adelle screamed, herposure shattering.


    The possibility that Derek might treat her the same way he''d treated the others made her panic. The way he''d stared her down all day—it was entirely possible he would.


    A memory shed in her mind: she''d been standing outside Derek''s study the day he''d coldly ordered, "Get rid of her.” He''d meant Susanna''s mother. That had been the first time Adefle had glimpsed Derek''s genuine cruelty. With her, he''d always been gentle, never letting her see that side.


    But now that memory was back, sharp and clear, and Adelle realized that beneath Derek''s refined charm pulsed a predator''s nature—a wolf, who would never tolerate betrayal.


    Right then, Adelle was truly afraid.


    She had thought she could leave gracefully ying the victim of disappointment. She hadn''t


    expected Derek to physically keep


    her there, forcing her and Finch to


    stay for the results.


    Haunted by that old memory, a new fear took hold: when the truth came out, would


    she even be allowed to leave?


    Dan watched the cracks forming


    across her beautiful mask, clearly enjoying the spectacle. He lit


    another cigarette, casually tossing the pack toward Derek. "You need this."


    Derek shot him a frosty re.


    Dan only shrugged. "Don''t look at me like that. Rx. Trust me, things are about to


    get a whole lot messier."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!