MasukI studied her.
After everything Ashton had done to her, how could she still believe she had a chance? Even back in my high school days, when my infatuation with Rhys was at its peak, I would have turned against him instantly if he’d tried to make me sleep with another man pretending to be him.
Yet here was Genevieve, confronted with my marriage to Ashton and my carrying his child, still utterly convinced she would win him over one day.
Was she that arrogant, or just profoundly delusional?
‘I want you to leave.’ My hand hovered over the call button.
‘Wait! Don’t you want to know why Ashton has always protected me?’
My hand stilled. That question had been a thorn in my side for a long time, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of knowing it bothered me.
Genevieve leaned forward. ‘I’ll tell you. My brother died for Ashton. Ash gave his word that he would take care of me.’
I studied her.After everything Ashton had done to her, how could she still believe she had a chance? Even back in my high school days, when my infatuation with Rhys was at its peak, I would have turned against him instantly if he’d tried to make me sleep with another man pretending to be him.Yet here was Genevieve, confronted with my marriage to Ashton and my carrying his child, still utterly convinced she would win him over one day.Was she that arrogant, or just profoundly delusional?‘I want you to leave.’ My hand hovered over the call button.‘Wait! Don’t you want to know why Ashton has always protected me?’My hand stilled. That question had been a thorn in my side for a long time, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of knowing it bothered me.Genevieve leaned forward. ‘I’ll tell you. My brother died for Ashton. Ash gave his word that he would take care of me.’
Rhys and Frank were in this together. They were the ones who had me kidnapped. Frank wanted the money, and Rhys wanted me.Their plan was to snatch me, rough me up just enough, then have Rhys swoop in as the hero. Frank’s men would stage a chase, forcing Rhys and me into hiding. They were betting that if I spent enough time alone with him, scared and vulnerable, I’d eventually fall for him.Once that happened, the plan was for Rhys to get me pregnant. I’d have to marry him then, and as my husband, he’d have a legal claim to my inheritance.Then, an ‘unfortunate accident’ would be arranged. After my death, Rhys, the grieving widower, would conveniently bump into Frank. Feeling responsible for his late wife’s father, he’d generously grant him a portion of my fortune.The whole scheme was mapped out over two or three years, starting with the kidnapping and ending with my death after I’d given birth.
I handed the phone to Rhys.He took it, gave the address, and then added, ‘Be careful. They’re looking for us everywhere. This call is a risk. I just hope you find us first.’Then he passed the phone back to me.‘Ashton…’ I had so much I wanted to say, but the words stuck in my throat.‘Mira, don’t be afraid. I’m on my way to you right now.’‘I’m safe. Don’t worry.’I hung up, reluctant to break the connection. Rhys led me back to the room before heading out once more.When he returned, he poured me a glass of water. ‘You should sit down. It’ll take Ashton at least three hours to get here.’I took the glass and drank.A deep exhaustion had settled into my bones. I couldn’t understand it. I hadn’t done anything strenuous, yet I felt drained every single day.Maybe it was the stress.Rhys stood b
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains. It was fully morning, and clearly a bright one.Another fit of coughing from Rhys made my stomach drop. Was he running a fever? Had the wound gotten infected?Shit.I hurried over to where he was lying and pressed my hand to his forehead. ‘God, you’re burning up.’‘Danger… It’s dangerous… Mirabelle…’ he muttered, his voice thick with sleep and fever. ‘No, don’t… Mirabelle… look out!’‘Rhys? Rhys, wake up.’ He was twitching, trapped in some nightmare. I called his name again, but he didn’t stir.I shook him gently. ‘Rhys! Wake up!’‘Hmm?’ His eyes flew open, and he stared up at me, disorientated. He winced and shook his head slightly, as if trying to clear it. ‘It’s fine. I just need some water.’As he tried to sit up, I gently pre
‘They’re creating a diversion to keep the kidnappers busy. That’s how I managed to get you out.’Another wave of nausea hit me, dry and wrenching.Rhys hurried to pour a glass of water and handed it to me. ‘Here, sip this. I’ll figure something out for food.’‘Really, don’t bother. If people are looking for us, it’s not worth the risk. I’ll be fine. Staying alive is more important than eating.’I took a small sip. The water warmed my stomach slightly, so I drank a bit more. But after a few mouthfuls, my body rebelled. Everything came back up, violently.I hadn’t eaten anything in hours, so there was nothing left to bring up except bitter bile. It was agonising.Rhys passed me tissues and rubbed my back gently as I retched. When it was over, I collapsed back onto the bed, drained and shaky.‘Do you want to try more water?’I shook my head.
‘Don’t get clever,’ he snapped, the chill back in his tone.‘Are you a friend of hers? An admirer?’‘You ask too many questions. People who know too much get silenced.’I stared harder. ‘So I was right. She didn’t hire you, did she? This is your own doing. What are you to her? And why take the risk—aren’t you afraid of what Ashton will do to you?’‘Afraid?’ He let out a harsh laugh. ‘Why the fuck would I be afraid of him? If he knew who I was, he’d be the one shaking.’‘I’d think twice about making an enemy of Ashton. It won’t end well for you.’‘Tch. You should be more worried about your own situation. Are you really not scared at all?’ He sounded almost offended by how calm I seemed.I didn’t answer. My stomach was aching with hunger, but I wouldn’t ask him for food. I refused to beg t







