omen throbbed, a constant, physical reminder of the life I had lost, the child I would never hold. I curled into a ball on the plush bed,

sed over me, his face etched with concern. "My poor Alexis," he' d murmured, gently smoothin

is, Carlton just hired the best divorce attorney in the city. And

in my stomach. She wouldn't

"So, the little princess is finally leaving her palace?" she sneered. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Carlton. And your house. Soon it'll be ours, just like ou

ed your time. I've already signed the divorce papers. You can h

alk away? You think you can leave me with nothing?" she hissed, her face co

d with my lawyer's warning, sent a shiver of unea

er. It was Carlton. "Alexis, we need to talk. Mee

still yearned for a genuine conversation, a moment of clarity.

, a hand clamped over my mouth, another around my wa

like an abandoned warehouse. My wrists and ankles were bound tightly. Dim light filtered through a grimy window high abo

n, their eyes predatory, leered at us. A camera on a tr

a crash. Carlton stood there, his face a mask of fury. Carmen

His eyes, when they met mine, were filled with a chilling hatred. He didn't even flinch. He

done?!" he roared, his

pped me, Carlton! She tried to hurt me! Those men..." She pointed

struggling against my restraints. "I

my ears ring. "Don't lie, Alexis! I know what you're capable of now!" He pulled ou

shed. I want her to suffer. Tie her up, make her regret ever crossing me..." The words

reamed, tears stinging my eyes. "Check for su

ere were, they'd show you exactly what you deserve." He looked

ard. "She paid us good money, boss. Said she wanted us to teach h

chestrated all of this. My eyes darted to her. She was watching me, a trium

raw with desperation. "You set thi

ate plea. "No, Carlton! Please! Don't call

aid, his voice a low growl. "We can't involve the police. Not with this mess." He turned to the men. "Deal with her. She need

s leaving me. Abandoning

ou think you can just manipulate everyone, Alexis? You think you can hurt good pe

go, his silhouette framed in the doorway, Carmen whi

ice cracking, "Carlton!

, plunging the warehouse