Chapter 21


    ra tilted her head back, locking eyes with him. Her gaze was icy, her eyes rimmed with the


    faintest hint of


    red.


    “What if I am? Are you going to strap me onto an operating table and get rid of it, Mr. Bayes?


    A bitterugh escaped ra. “Would you want me to tell you early just so you take out child away


    as soon as you can? Is that it?”


    “ra, can’t you just listen to me for once?n’s grip tightened on her chin


    Her eyes, misty with unshed tears, met his “Mr. Hayes, you’re about to marry someone else and


    start a family Even if I were with child, would you even care?”


    ra tried to break free, butn’s upromising voice stopped her. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure


    you have the best obstetrician.”


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Her already shattered heart ached more at his wordsn was taking Heidi, the woman he loved, for


    prenatal care, all the while nning to terminate her pregnancy.


    If she hadn’t miscarried, wouldn’t it be an even greater agony just for her unborn child to be


    discarded by its own father? With these thoughts swirling in her mind, ra closed her eyes in


    despair


    She jerked her arm free. “Don’t trouble yourself, Mr. Hayes. I’m not pregnant”


    She took a few steps back, nced once more inton’s inscrutable dark eyes, and turned to leave


    But before she could get far, she was swept off her feet.n’s deep voice rumbled next to her ear


    “Are you afraid of getting checked? Or do you n to secretly have the baby and then ride on its


    coattails into the Hayes family”


    ra struggled to free herself. n, you don’t deserve to be a father! Put me down!”


    Ignoring her protests,n carried her into a hospital room. Only then did he notice how much thinner


    ra’s face had be. “I thought you were capable of taking care of yourself. Howe you’ve


    let yourself go like this since leaving me? Can you even stand to look at yourself?”


    His cool fingertips brushed her cheek, his voice growing huskier. “I told you,e back to me, and


    all your troubles will disappear.”


    ra let out a coldugh. “That day will nevere!”


    As she tried to rise,n’s firm hand pressed her back down. Their argument was interrupted by the


    sound of ra’s phone ringing. She answered it immediately, her voice transforming from icy to


    warm in an instant


    “Anders.”


    “ra, I came by to visit your dad, and I’ve brought your favorite cheesecake. Where are you?”


    “Thanks, Anders. I’ll be right there.”


    After hanging up, ra red up atn. n, I don’t have time for your games. Let me go


    His voice was as chilling as the grave, his breath scorching. Before ra could react, his lips


    imed hers in a searing kiss. The moment their lips met, a wave of familiarity swept through her,


    straight to her core


    ra tried to fight back, butn’s hold was unyielding. His fingers gripped her chin as he kissed her


    with a


    possessive frenzy. Their breaths entwined, and the memories of their past wild times yed inn’s


    mind like a relentless film.