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

a brow, clearly intrigued. “I could

answer Avoiding his

spoke up, “Why do you keep

made

used to it.”

his hands into his pockets, his posture lazy and unbothered. “It’s

Whiney was speechless

a hand toward her, and she lowered her gaze Resting in his palm were two candies

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

in stores anyıbore. Where did you

ago! I can’t

I can’t ever

was a child. But as the years went by, the candy’s taste

tilted as

a while, Whitney looked up. She found Noel wa

touched hunt face. “is their something

line of disappointment as he raised his hand, signaling for her to

only two left, so I

his palm. Shar mumbled to herself, “A convenience store? How come I’ve ever seen

every single convenienze e store in Seabourke?” Norl said.

upset She didn’t understand why he was

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

a few seconds. “You shouldn’t just focus on healing

sorrucial, something he had always couidered the most precious, was right in front of her, and she still hadn’t figured it out.

to upset your they asked, clearly