"Don''t you dare!"


    Before Reese could get another word out, Sebastian''s brow knitted together. He reached out, his slender fingers closing around her wrist, stopping her mid- movement as she held up her phone.


    He stared at the screen, the words "Call in progress" glowing back at him. Panic shed in his eyes. Without a second thought, he hit the button, ending the call.


    "Reese, I''m only going to say this once more. You''re not getting out of this marriage.” His eyes locked onto hers. "Unless you''re ready to walk away with nothing."


    His voice was rough, low, and there was no room for argument. But if you listened closely, there was just the faintest tremor.


    Sebastian couldn''t believe it hade to this. That the only thing he had left to hold onto Reese was money.


    Reese stared up at him, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice just as hoarse. “Fine, Sebastian. Let''s see how this ys out."


    She hadn''t told him yet that she already had proof that he''d used her as a surrogate. George had warned her, the Ratcliff family had way too much power in Bridger Lake. If Sebastian found out she had evidence, the family would pull every string they had. They could make the proof disappear or do something even worse. If that happened, splitting the assets in court would be a lost cause for her. Reese wasn''t the type tosh out just to feel better. Not unless she could make it count. Until then, she''d just have to grit her teeth and wait.


    Jane stood off to the side, watching them with sharp, calcting eyes. If Reese really went through with the divorce and it went to court, it wasn''t a given that she''d walk away with nothing. Jane needed to find some proof, anything that made it look like Reese had cheated during the marriage. She was determined— she''d make sure Reese left with as little as possible, maybe even empty-handed.


    Matthew noticed how tight Sebastian''s grip had be, angry red marks blooming on Reese''s wrist. He took a step forward, grabbed Sebastian''s hand, and yanked it away.


    "Let go. You''re hurting her," Matthew said, voice stiff and cold.


    Sebastian shot him a re, ready to snap back, but just then, the hospital room door creaked open. A nurse hurried out, worry written all over her face.


    "Mr. Ratcliff, your grandfather''s awake. He wants to see you."


    Sebastian gave Reese onest look, his expression impossible to read, then turned and walked quickly into the room.


    Jane tried to follow, but the nurse stepped in her way. "I''m sorry, ma''am. He asked to see Mr. Ratcliff alone."


    Jane could only stand there, frustration and worry mixing on her face as she stared at the closed door.


    Inside, the white hospital sheets made old Mr. Ratcliff look even paler than usual. He was propped against his pillow, breathing shallowly, every movement looking like it cost him effort.


    He saw Sebastiane in and moved his dry, cracked lips. His voice was so soft it barely made a sound. "Sebastian..."


    "Grandpa," Sebastian said quietly,


    He couldn''t remember ever seeing his grandfather this weak. When had the man who''d held the Ratcliff family together after his father died started looking so frail?


    Mr. Ratcliff stared at him, eyes cloudy, then suddenly clear. He spoke, each word


    slow and deliberate. "Did you make Reese be a surrogate?"


    He had gotten Hank''s call that night, heard that Reese had lost the baby herself. Oddly enough, he hadn''t bean angry He knew how much that child meant to Reese She wouldn''t have gotten rid of it unless


    something serious was going on. So he''d asked his assistant to look into


    it.


    What he found out was even worse. The baby Reese had carried wasn''t hers at


    all. It was belonged to another woman.


    Mr. Ratcliff had never thought the grandson he''d always been so proud of would do something like this.


    Even after years in business, even after putting profit above everything else, he''d never stooped this tow. He could never imagine forcing someone to be a surrogate, especially behind their back.


    The shock and anger had been too much. That''s why he''d copsed.


    Now, hearing his grandfather''s words, Sebastian went rigid. His grip on the old man''s hand tightened without him even realizing it.