oing on?" Her best friend, Gina, said as she sat a

said, her voice low. "The hospital called. The

hat? Wait, are you serio

"I'm serious. I don't know what to

hat mean? What are y

ll Grayson. Not like this. He'll think I'm lying. Or I cheated.

carry, Tessa. But you have to do something

. And not just with him... his mother, his

ed. "You're just going

'm scared. But I can'

h tension. Tessa knew Gina didn't approve of her hidi

lick of heavy boots. Grayson stepped in

whispering about

froze. Tessa's

giving Tessa

"Just... catching up

oward the door. "We're throwing a party tonight, t

val on her face. "I'm sorry," she said. "I migh

Tessa. "I'll see yo

, and champagne flowing like water. Grayson's family and friends buzzed around t

ything was normal, but the knot in her st

tulations. Eleanor approached her first, her usual

sa's hands in hers. "I owe you an apology. My behaviour the other day

warmth felt like a fragile mask, but she n

arms crossed, his jaw tight with barely hidden f

him say quietly to Eleanor, "the one

r. "Yes, and we need to make sure everything goe

yson gets everything - the company, the respect. And now the

ce, darling. Your time will come. For

g, just clenched his j

imate brother isn't the one to have this privilege," s

Tessa never knew Gray

glint of something sharp beneath the kindness. It

ryone, but Tessa could see him glance at her ever so often, lik

sliding into the li

scanning the crowd until they locked on Tessa. Her smi

g with false sweetness. "What a beautiful party.

y is she here? I thought you

tered as he looked from Sofia to Tessa,

a?" He whispered. "You're

se in, the celebration t

rayson. "Tell them, Tessa." She spat. "Tell them t

e's eyes locked on Tessa, some filled with shock, others with confu

How did

t, Sofia?" Eleanor snapped.

I love Grayson too much for him to walk into this bli

something darker, his eyes n

rayson," Sofia scowled. "Yes she is pregnant, but

scanned it and then Tessa saw his hand

get this?" G

al," Sofia smiled, voice dripping with satisfaction

shed over her-her most private medical history, the IV

d, barely above a whisper. "Isn't

with the consequences later - but I don't think Grayson would want to sue me once he finds

d, his voice thundering acros

ssa said, her

ed, louder this time,

Tessa's mouth, sharp

heating on me, hav

d. "No. I swear, i

grip bruising her wrist

you carrying, huh?"

, tears blurring her

d cruel. "You've been p

ought it might snap. His eyes burned wi

oice low and dangerous. "How dare

th to defend herself,

all inches from her face, mu

r, his breath hot against her skin. "Who's the f

r vision. "It's n

nd shot out, yanking her by the

the cold wall, his fing

hands moved quicker, slappi

out, her cheeks h

room, but no one

g her with his other hand. "Tell me who k

sped, struggling to breathe, trying

" Eleanor's cold voice sliced through th

r vision blurred, and the chok

gged, her voice breaking,

ly by the hair, slamming her against the wall aga

inging crack across her face that s

r mouth. The metallic taste filled he

living hell," he hissed, h

nd. No one was c

h cruel fire as he shoved

ching her stomach, tears

r and a cheap skank," he spat. "Get

door with a force that near

ammed shut behind her, cutting h

rt pounding, her breath ragged, clutching the lif

What would she do now? And whe