haustion hit her. It was a deep, bone-weary fatigue, a symptom of early pregnanc

r eyes when she heard a

ward, and a man stumbled into the apartment. He was stout, with a

er. Her s

clinging to his arm, her makeup

hot eyes widening in surprise. Then, a s

he sneered. "My dear stepdaughter. Did you

d, a high, shrill sound tha

the small apartment. It hit the back of Chloe's throat, and

the bathroom, barely making it to the

blem?" she hear

grumbled. He pounded a fleshy fist on the bathroom door.

ap, her hands shaking. She took a deep breat

she said, her voice trembling sli

ll do you think you are? Your mother's rotting in that nuthou

the money she sent him every month, skimmi

" Chloe said, her voice dangerously low.

amily drama. "I'm getting a drink," she ann

grew uglier. "You want me to leave? Fine.

e's hands clenched into

eyes raking over her. "You've been living with a billionaire for three years

hing for her phone on the coun

phone, his grip surprisingly strong, and hurled it against the

I'll go down to that facility and raise hell. I'll tell them I can't afford it an

r one and only

t of her. She sto

ek with his sweaty hand in a grotesque parody of affection.

f the apartment, leaving the

under her. She had just escaped one prison, only t

miracle, it still turned on. Her hands shook so badly she coul

d on the second ring

broke through the dam of Chloe's control. A sob tore

ry came tumbling out-Julian, the pregnancy, leavi

m of curses was creative and vicious. "That a

chilling calm had taken their place. He

ething for me. I need you to schedule a pr

have a weakness. She couldn't have anything left to lose. And th