y will you do suc

gh the room, firm, u

in like she owned the place. Which, in a way, she did-consideri

esitation in her stride. She moved with the poise

ifteen years-loyal as ever. And beside him, Caleb West, friend to

he room shif

essions frozen in shock. They had all agreed to

ackled in

remained seated, h

she forced a smile and spoke in a cheerful tone, "Vanessa! What a lovely

ked to Mabel-disdai

venom, "would I need permission to visi

a slap, shocking every

each other, Vanessa had never sp

ght was

as not here fo

Mabel." Vanessa's voice cut th

mouth slightly agape

uggling to gather herself-to defend

aid smoothly. "My wife didn't mean it that way. You're al

hand, cutting him

he table. Her gaze swept over them all, slow and d

ch thing as terminat

le

ing. A

e first to r

ed her spine.

k was all it too

ming me. I shudder to think what might have happened had I not

e flicking toward Caleb. Bene

she found out-

because, as her husband's best friend and

ly file a lawsuit-and win-if they went ahead wi

to go behind her back and in

eal with him later-after t

s tightening around the hem of her d

ickered beneath t

cutting. "This is how you planned to kill m

stomach

on of the King's lineage? Without even consi

re. She couldn't bear to look into her grandmothe

wered her gaze

was livid. Irritated. H

nk we need your permission to make this dec

ur future. Do you expect me to stand by whil

xpression d

oice was calm but razor-sharp. "I know

but Vanessa lifted a hand yet ag

But starting today, you've lost that right. From n

hen, Vanessa took a measur

o fragile that an unborn child threatens it, perhaps y

atience snapping. She scoffe

have something to say, or are you g

flared. "Are you

aid like a fool. But if that's how y

ward, her voice rising. "I'll ignore that

d into Vanessa

your grandchildren, regardless of blood. But now, when it trul

sit back while my son is humiliated in public because yo

g cold and resolute. "That baby w

et out a sm

ng that decision for a child tha

thing sharp-something that

ly chance to ever have a child, considering her fertility st

ut before she could count

t stop." Her voice trembled as it

every word, had become unbearable. She heav

elcoming toward Eric and his parents-now treating t

s child would inde

wouldn't just

ould have lasti

rminating this pregnancy, Grandma... This child is in m

exactly what someone who has been

le

-I mean, Mrs. King, I want to make it clear that I was never in support

always-her tone sharp and

t, his lips pressi

oice urgent. "Grandma, please, don't misunderstand me. I'm

hings. I thought handling this quietl

So killing an innocent child is your

flin

would be a big issue to handle, especially with how insistent

elf? Eric? Or your mother-in-law who sees th

hard, her thro

ll into hea

"You may not see it now, Adina, but deep down, you've alrea

. Her grandmother's words had struck a ch

oman's face, searching, hopi

Vanessa, whose wealth and influence had long been a cornerstone of their

ained silent until

complicated than simply terminating the pregnancy. Ryan Knight is a powerful man, and if he's will

hould I just accept fathe

ays about who fights the loudest. Someti

we'll need all that motivational talk now," Vanessa sa

quite clear you have no regard for my granddaughter's h

o protest, but Vanessa's

d Eric, her next words slicing t

early not at all about the strain this pregnancy is putting on Adina

lute, suffoca

ways had a rebutta