Chapter 11
574words
"What about our baby?" His voice hardened. "Could you really let our child grow up fatherless—broken like we were?"
My nails bit into my palms as pain radiated through my body. I met his gaze with ice in mine.
"You lost the right to mention that child the moment you walked away."
"You never wanted him. And I refuse to let him become the chain that binds us together."
The blood drained from his face.
"What are you saying?"
I fought back tears, nails drawing blood from my palms.
"While you were rushing Melanie to the hospital, while she was throwing you that birthday party—our baby was already gone."
Pain shot through my arm as his fingers crushed my wrist.
"You killed our baby?"
I wrenched free of his grip.
"Better he finds parents who'll actually love him in his next life than grow up watching his father choose another woman over and over again."
Something shattered behind his eyes. And in that moment, something shifted.
After that night, he seemed to materialize everywhere I went.
Worst of all, he muscled his way into my project as an investor.
Stephen stormed back from the meeting, face thunderous, like he'd just survived a war zone.
He hurled files across the room, sending his assistant scurrying for cover.
I found him slumped on the office couch, worry etched into every line of his face.
He never drank at work, but today a half-empty whiskey bottle sat on his desk.
"They've shelved 'Youth'!" I blurted out.
"What? Everything was ready! We were days from shooting!"
"Someone's pulling strings behind the scenes. Word is, the investors made demands Stephen wouldn't meet. The meeting ended with shouting."
Classic Marcus Morgan power play.
I knew his tactics all too well, even after years apart.
When Marcus wanted something, he'd burn the world to get it.
I messaged him directly.
"Having fun yet?"
"I won't sign those papers. We need to talk, Natalie."
His reply came instantly.
As if he'd been staring at his phone, waiting for me to break first.
When we met, I skipped the pleasantries.
"Come back to Jiang City with me and we'll start fresh. If screenwriting is what you want, I'll give you opportunities Stephen Mitchell can't even dream of."
"Mitchell's just a small-time director. What can he possibly offer you?"
I laughed—a harsh, bitter sound.
"He doesn't need to give me a damn thing!"
"Using your money to strong-arm me? Classic. I won't give you another chance to destroy me, Marcus."
As I turned to leave, Marcus blocked my path.
He yanked me against his chest and crushed his mouth to mine, desperate and demanding.
I tore away and slapped him with every ounce of strength I had.
Behind me, Melanie Sinclair watched with tear-filled eyes.
I brushed past her without a glance.
"I'm pregnant."
Marcus spun around, grabbing her wrist.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Melanie pulled a medical report from her purse.
"It's yours. From that night we…"
I didn't wait to hear more. I walked away.
Before I reached the door, Marcus caught up to me, panic in his eyes.
"Natalie, please. After you left, I was a wreck. I never meant to—I was drunk out of my mind that night. I thought she was—"
"Stop."
My voice cut like a blade.
"Just sign the damn papers. This charade has gone on long enough."
