Chapter 1855:


    “What exactly are you implying?” Vickie’s eyes sharpened. “Are you using me of being unfaithful and passing off another man’s child as Brendon’s?”


    “I didn’t say that. You’re reading into things,” Ynda replied coolly.


    Vickie’s expression turned to ice as she shifted her gaze to Brendon. “Brendon, if you don’t divorce this woman and marry me, I will terminate this pregnancy. Think carefully. This child may be the only heir your family ever gets,” she said, her tone t and deliberate.


    Brendon’s jaw tightened. He hated being backed into a corner, but the fear of losing what might be his only child gnawed at him. It was precisely that fear that had led him to agree to let Vickie move in until the baby was born.


    Sensing him beginning to waver, Ynda pressed in close and spoke quietly into his ear. “Brendon, you said it yourself — ‘might be.’ Once you’ve recovered your health, we’ll have plenty of children together. Don’t let her use that baby to manipte you.” She tightened her hold on his arm. “And think about it — the doctors already said fathering children is difficult for you. How can we be certain the baby is even yours? On top of that, the Scott family has cut all ties with her. She depends entirely on the Dawson family, and yet she speaks to you like this. She has no respect for you whatsoever.”


    Vickie watched Brendon’s expression shift as he listened, and a flicker of unease crossed her face.


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    “Fine!” she snapped, her voice rising. “If you don’t want this baby, I’ll go take care of it right now!” She spun on her heel and began to walk out.


    Joselyn lurched forward and seized Vickie’s arm before she could take another step. “Vickie! Stop — don’t do something you’ll regret!”


    “Joselyn…” Vickie’s voice broke with carefully measured anguish. “I don’t want it to be this way. But it’s clear that someone in this house wants my baby gone.”


    Joselyn felt Vickie pulling against her grip and realized she couldn’t hold her back. She wheeled on Brendon, her face zing. “Brendon! Are you really going to stand there while your own flesh and blood is at risk?”


    “Everyone just stop!” Brendon erupted, his face flushed with rage.


    “Brendon…” Ynda whispered, her eyes filling with glistening, practiced tears.


    “I don’t care anymore — I’m done with all of you!” He wrenched his arm free from Ynda and stormed out of the room.


    The walls of the house felt like they were pressing in on him. He needed air before he lost his mind entirely.


    He wanted the baby to be born — that much was true. But the thought of everything Vickie would drag into his life along with it exhausted him before it had even begun. Even so, he was fairly certain she wouldn’t actually go through with ending the pregnancy. Ynda had made a fair point, too: there was no proof the child was even his.


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