To Save My Daughter, I'll Bear His Child Again

Chapter 5

I had investigated Julie—the pampered pearl of the wealthiest family in Terravale, another city. This spoiled heiress had been frail since childhood. It would take years of careful nurturing before she could truly appreciate the pleasures of the bedroom.

Steven's pent-up desires left him powerless against my advances.

Julie was led away by Mike. But when her footsteps faded completely, Steven seemed to snap back to his senses.

Shoving me away, he said, "Did you come back to make me call off the wedding?"

I denied it. "I only want money."

That should have been reassuring—a business arrangement, mutual benefit, nothing more. Yet he only grew angrier.

Steven drove me out. "If you dare let Julie find out about it, I'll kill you."

I wasn't afraid of death threats. Hailey was waiting.

He gave neither contact information nor another meeting place.

Time was running out. I had to see Steven again until I got pregnant. Otherwise, all this would be for nothing.

When the elevator reached the lobby, I ran into Julie and Mike returning.

Mike's face was grim, shaking his head at me repeatedly.

I lowered my head, trying to hurry past, but she stopped me.

Remembering Steven's warning, my heart hammered in my chest, nerves on edge.

Why had Julie returned? Did she suspect I'd been in the office?

Slowly, I raised my gaze to meet Julie's smiling yet icy face.

"Did you just come from the 33rd floor?" she asked.

The 33rd floor held only the CEO's office. Admitting it would be confessing outright.

But Julie wouldn't ask unless she already suspected.

As a woman, I knew how precise our intuition could be.

I lowered my head again. "I wanted to beg Mr. Jones not to withdraw funding from my husband's factory. My daughter is seriously ill. We need the money."

Tears welled at the mention of Hailey.

I wasn't after Julie's pity. A lie mixed with truth was simply easiest to believe.

Julie's voice dripped with disdain in my ear. "Begging Steven is useless. Being born to trash like you means a worthless life. Dying young would be a blessing."

My fists clenched, barely containing my fury.

So this was the venom hidden beneath her angelic mask.

Steven, this was who you treasured? You deserved each other.

Julie pulled out some bills from her purse and flung them at my face.

With a contemptuous laugh, she said, "Next time you beg, dress properly. Your skirt's torn."

I glanced at the hem. Little did she know her darling fiancé had ripped it himself.

Steven couldn't resist temptation. Once he slept with me, he'd come back for more.

How pathetic. For all her pride and noble birth, she couldn't keep her man.

She strode off, heels clicking sharply.

Crouching to gather the scattered bills, I smiled to myself.

Maybe I should thank Julie.

Her petty, cruel heart wiped away all my guilt about seducing Steven.