"Ariella!"
His voice was a thunderous roar, sharp enough to send a tremor through my chest.
My heart pounded as I lifted my head to meet his gaze. His expression was terrifying. Veins bulged against his temples, his usually refined features twisted in fury.
"I watched you take birth control pills. How the hell did you still get pregnant?" His voice was low and venomous. "And now you've dragged Grandpa and Grandma into this? I really underestimated you!"
He sneered, his eyes brimming with hatred. "I should've known. From the very beginning, you were nothing but a scheming woman. You caused Audrey to leave the country, didn't you? You played the obedient wife for three years, only to show your true nature now."
The accusations struck deep, each one sharper than the last.
"Well played," he continued coldly, "but I will never accept this child. Audrey has called off her engagement and is returning soon. Only she will bear my children. You will go to the hospital and have an abortion immediately!"
With that, he grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward the door.
But this time, I fought back. With all the strength I had, I wrenched my hand free.
Hayden froze, momentarily stunned, as if he had never expected the once-docile me to resist.
Tears streamed down my face, but my voice did not waver. "Hayden, listen to me," I said. "Audrey's scandal three years ago had nothing to do with me!"
I drew in a shuddering breath. "You want a divorce? Fine, I agree. But this child is mine. You have no right to take it away."
His jaw clenched, but I didn't stop. Three years ago, I had already loved Hayden for four years. I had watched as he fell for Audrey, a poor scholarship student and pursued her fiercely.
He had thrown her an extravagant birthday party, sparing no expense, gathering all the elites in our circle, making a grand spectacle of his love. I had stood in the shadows that night, watching him smile at her the way I wished he would smile at me.
But something went wrong.
The drinks were spiked. Hayden, Audrey and I were all drugged.
And that night, Hayden spent it with me.
Audrey unexpectedly lost her innocence to a bartender.
For a time, all fingers pointed at me. Whispers followed wherever I went—scheming, shameless, a woman who would do anything just to get what she wanted.