When Love Is a Lie

Damian said, “In a few weeks, take her fer acherlap to see if it’s a boy or a girl. If it’s a girl, terminate the pregnancy. As for her, you deal with it,”

Billy passed, visibly taken aback. “You’re not planning in keep Rachel amund?

“She’s becoming more of a nuisance. Keeping her around will only cause trouble,” Damian replied, leaning she’s just an orphan. That makes her easier to deal with.”

back in his chair with casual indifference. “Thankfully,

Outside the office, Rachel froze. Her eyes widened in shock, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. She clamped a hand over her mouth, her entire body trembling as she struggled to process what Damian had just sid.

His gentle tone carried words so cruel they pierced straight through her, leaving her heart shattered and her spirit in despair, Rachel couldn’t bear to listen any lenger Panic–stricken, she turned and led down the hallway, her mind a whit of disbelief and devastation.

Whitney was in her bedroom, practicing walling. Sheset hercane aside, attempting to balance without any sopporr, testing if she could stand on her own.

suddenly, aloud thad echoed through the mom. Whitney was startled, spinning around on one leg as she tried to face the snare of the sound, but the quick motion thorw bet oft balance, and she tumbled forward.

Before she hit the floor, a tall figure strade in and caught her family in his army.

Het cheek pressed against a solid chest, and the familiar scent of cedarwood surrounded her

“You’ve only been at this for a few days, and you’re already trying to ditch the cane? Don’t you worry about not healing properly and ending up limping for the res of your lite?” Noel’s low, steady voice came from above.

Whitney looked up to see Noel’s dark eyes glinting like polished obsidian. She frowned. “Are you cursing me now.

She gripped his arm to steady herself, but before she could fully stand, Noël scooped her up effortlessly and placed her on the bed

He banded her a glass of water. “Cursing you doesn’t benefit me in the slightest.”

“You could__” Whitney began instinctively, but stopped short when she realized the word “bully me” were about to slip out. They sounded far too suggestive.

swallowed them back

raised a brow, clearly intrigued.

her mouth shut, refusing to answer Avoiding his gaze, she glanced toward

a hint of annoyance, she spoke up, “Why do you keep sneaking into

already made it

I’m used to

pockets, his posture

Whiney was speechless

she lowered her gaze Resting in his palm were two

surprise. “Key lime–flavored candy? How did you know this was my favorite?

stores anyıbore. Where did you get

I can’t even find

I can’t ever

the years went by, the candy’s taste changed, becoming nothing like the ones she

his head slightly tilted as it trying to read something in

while, Whitney looked

touched hunt face. “is their something

as he raised his hand, signaling for her to take

these at a cornerstore Their weir only two left, so

bed out to take them, her fingertips Bousing gladly against his palm. Shar mumbled to herself, “A convenience

you visited every single convenienze e store in Seabourke?”

looked up. He seemed upset

diyway? Whitney asked, feeling confused. Then she ormembered him climbing through the balcony and

focus on

he had always couidered the most precious, was right in

do to upset your they