eyes flickered, the air hung and the t

t sucked up all sound and sense, leaving only the weight of Beverly's words hanging in the air.

her chest, so loud that Reece could hear it. And suddenly,

ce low and husky. His gaze locked on

still raising hard, Beverly se

repeated, her voice b

om hers. His warm breath danced across her skin, sending shivers down her spine

in the depths of his eyes, suffoc

mischievous smile, his breath c

have a big wedding to plan, don't we?" He whis

s as she felt his ho

st done?! Did she just m

•••••

UTS

r, her hands a bit shaky as she fumbled for her phone. She dialed Clarice's number, he

?" Clarice's cheerful

to you" Beverly said, h

" Clarice's tone

verly blurted out, her eyes scanning the re

r of Blackmore Loan Company you got a loa

rly confirmed, her

d. "You know what they say about him, don't you? He's ruthle

days to pay back his money or face devastation. Geez! Clarice, I couldn't even imagine that happening. You kn

That's not all he'll want from you, trust me, Bever

, Clarice. I can't pay him back in....ten days? Geez! The fact that he threatened my business and the lives of my

what would happen if I chose to marry him, he

Clarice prompted, h

he wants" Beverly repeated, her words laced with disgust. "He cal

's using you to get what he wants, and then he'

elling my soul to the devil himself. But what choice do I have, Clarice?

know? You won't be trapped in a loveless marriage for long....foreve

orever. She'll be free to go....free from her debt....free

why he wanted to marry her for surg

l. You're not alone in this, okay?" Clarice sp

me feel a little better." Beverly's eyes w

his?" Clarice's question instantly snapped her o

f Kelly he

••••••

elly, Beverly's boyfriend said,

t told him what

ver and accept it without even thinking about it? Did you ev

destroy everything I have worked for? Destroy my family? Or maybe pay the millions of

figured out something else...together. But no, you just went ahead and made a decisi

alright? That's exactly what you have been doi

from me instead...you take my money, my resources, my energy...and what do

now, Beverly!" Kelly yelled