The tension was thick in the air, still buzzing from Linet's outburst and James's cold confession. But before the guards could fully take her away, Linet suddenly jerked back, eyes blazing with raw, unfiltered emotion.
Her voice cracked like thunder through the night.
"So you expect me to just stand here and watch you parade your fake affection—" she spat, her chest rising and falling rapidly, "and that baby… that baby growing inside of her?!"
Gasps echoed all around. The words cut deeper than knives.
Rita stiffened, instinctively placing a protective hand on her belly. The hush among the crowd broke into chaotic murmurs as heads turned, whispers igniting.
James's jaw clenched. "Linet, that's enough—"
"No, it's NOT enough!" she screamed, voice thick with betrayal and de
