Chapter 1

Rage had Austin Bell gasping and wheezing for air. "You had an affair and got yourself knocked up by that cheating bastard! Now, you even have the nerve to talk back!

"Tell me! Who's the father of that monster inside you?"

Annoyed, I frowned. "Watch your manners."

"I was gone for a year and came back to find you carrying another man's child!" Veins bulged on his forehead as he stormed closer.

I took a step back. He swept his arm across the table, scattering the potato chips I'd been snacking on across the floor.

"And you have the audacity to live under my roof! Have you no shame?" he added.

I let out a cold laugh at his outburst and retorted, "Why wouldn't I live here? I'm counting on your mom to attend to my needs and take care of me during my pregnancy.

"As for you, look at you coming back broke and desperate. What do you want this time?"

Austin's hand slapped me across the face before I could even finish. My cheeks burned instantly as I stared at him in shock.

His eyes were bloodshot as he gripped my wrists. "I own this house, you whore! Get the hell out, now!"

He shoved me hard against the table, and a sharp discomfort shot through my abdomen.

I forced down my anger, ready to tell them I'd married Eric Bell when Austin's childhood sweetheart, Jenna Gray, let out a startled cry. "Austin, she must be here for Eric's money!

"Everyone knows he struck it rich after college, so she must've told him the baby's yours. That's the only reason he let her stay here! Why else would she be allowed to stay here comfortably?"

Frowning, I turned to her. "Have you lost your mind? Did it never cross your mind that this baby is Eric's?"

The two of them burst out laughing at my words.

"You shameless slut! Everyone knows Eric's completely devoted to his studies and doesn't even go on the dates people set up for him," Jenna said with a smirk.

"You probably didn't know he has someone he loves, you whore. When he heard she got engaged, he almost swore he'd never get married for life!" Austin chimed in.

Stepping forward, he gripped my chin. "You bitch. You live off my family, sleep around behind my back, and now you're trying to drag my brother into your filth. I should just beat you to death right now."

"If you dare lay a hand on me, Eric will—"

I didn't get to finish. His fist smashed into my face, and the pain caused my stomach to cramp in protest. I broke into a cold sweat, gritting my teeth.

He glared at me with pure malice. "Even if Eric's back, he'll want you dead, too.

"I'm going to show everyone what a shameless whore you are."

He dragged me by my collar toward the door, but I was too weak and in too much pain to fight back. As he threw me onto the floor, I caught myself on my hands just in time to spare my belly from the impact.

I curled up on the floor, protecting the baby with everything I had.

"Bitch!" he barked, kicking me in the side. "You had the guts to cheat, and now you're too cowardly to admit it?"

He yanked my hair, forcing my head up.

The commotion drew neighbors out of their houses and gathered them around.

"What the hell are you doing, Austin? Rachel's pregnant!" one of them shouted and stepped forward to stop him.

But Jenna's shrill voice cut them off. "She's nothing but a shameless whore who cheated while Austin was away. And she had the nerve to live under the Bell family's roof and trick Eric into supporting her pregnancy.

"The Bell family has no room for someone who disgraces or shames them, so Austin is beating her up today to make things right."