Chapter 3

Boom. My brain just shut off.

Pregnant? Nina's pregnant?

She touched her flat stomach like she was in a drama special, tears rolling. "Wynne, don't blame Jason—it's on me... We just couldn't stop ourselves.

"But this is a life, and I couldn't go through with ending it. That's why I came. Jason only just found out.

"I know you two are married, but the baby's innocent. Don't worry, I won't ruin your relationship. Once I give birth, I'll leave. I promise."

I almost hurled.

So much for that "surgery" lie—she was totally fine.

They wanted me to accept a mistress. Be stepmom to their secret love child. That was the play.

Margot kept yapping. "Didn't you say you didn't want kids? Isn't this perfect? Nina gives birth, we keep the baby, and she's gone. Best of both worlds!"

"I don't want kids. I'm not stupid." I cut her off, ice-cold. "If you actually cared, you would've kept your legs closed.

"And even if it was an accident—ever heard of birth control? No, you two made a baby on purpose, wrecked a marriage on purpose, and now you wanna dump your bastard child on me?"

"Who the hell are you calling a bastard?" Jason barked, jabbing a finger at my face. "What's wrong with you? You're cruel! You're toxic! Whoever married you is cursed!"

I snapped right back. "Whoever ends up with a cheat like you must've burned all their good karma eighteen lifetimes ago!"

We were already yelling when Nina snatched a mug of tea.

She stepped closer, full-on sobbing, holding it out like a truce flag.

"Wynne, please... I didn't mean any of this. I didn't seduce him on purpose. Just accept me and the baby..." She even added a shaky hand, like she was auditioning for pity.

"Get out!" I smacked the mug from her hands—tea splashed all over her.

Wasn't enough. I slapped her across the face.

Her cheek puffed up fast.

She gasped, then made her move—grabbed my wrist and flung herself backward like it was all staged.

"Wynne, fine, don't forgive me... but why push me? My baby..."

"Nina!" Jason lunged over and shoved me. "You vicious woman!"

My lower back cracked against the coffee table. Warm blood trickled down my face.

Jason didn't even look at me. He rushed to scoop Nina up, full panic mode. "Nina, hang in there. I'm taking you to the hospital!"

"Stop." I pressed my forehead, blood slick under my fingers, and stepped in front of them. "Jason Palmer, you're not leaving until we're divorced. Once those papers are signed, you can play house with her and your so-called love child. I'm done."

My words lit the Palmers up.

"You psycho! You're blocking us from the hospital?"

"You're trying to kill my grandson!"

"Beat this bitch to death!"

Margot and Christopher came at me, fists and feet flying.

Jason held Nina but still threw in kicks.

They closed in. I fought back, swinging hard, but I was outnumbered.

In the chaos, I grabbed my phone and hit speed dial. "Gabriel, they're attacking me. Get up here. Now!"

Ten seconds tops—two bodyguards in black stormed in and locked the Palmers down.

"What the hell? Let go!" Jason broke loose and lunged, hands choking me. "Wynne! What are you doing?! If something happens to Nina's baby, I'll kill you! Call them off! I need to get her to the hospital!"

I couldn't breathe.

Then—bam. One of the guards kicked him straight in the gut.

Jason hit the floor, hard.

That was it. If they didn't want a clean break, fine—no more games.

I grabbed my phone. "Dad, get over here. Bring the court clerk and the best OB-GYN you know. I'm ending this marriage today.

"And it's time this sidechick gets put in her place. Let the doctor take a good look—let's see how 'at risk' her fake baby really is after my so-called push."

Yeah, we're doing this. Court clerk in the living room. Classic rich Dad power play.