Chapter 4

Nathaniel didn't need a uniform to be intimidating.

He turned to the man, who was still grimacing in pain, and spoke in an icy voice. "Get lost. Touch her again, and I'll break both your hands."

The moment the man recognized Nathaniel, he panicked. He stammered an apology and hurried off.

Rosalie struggled to keep her emotions in check and gave Nathaniel a mocking smile. "Well, look who it is. General Farrell himself, throwing his weight around. What brings someone so important to a place like this?"

Nathaniel frowned. "I was away on an urgent mission. I just got back and heard you've been partying here for three days straight. You've had your fun. It's time to come home."

His words sent a fresh stab of pain through her. So nearly getting himself killed for the woman he loved was what he called an urgent mission.

But Rosalie wasn't about to call him out on his lie. She simply turned away, her voice cool. "I don't want to go home."

She shoved him aside and tried to leave, but he caught her wrist, bent down, and scooped her into his arms.

Shocked and furious, Rosalie struggled to break free. "Nathaniel! What are you doing? Put me down!"

Ignoring her kicks and blows, Nathaniel carried her to a dimly lit corner at the back of the dance hall. There, he pinned her against the cold wall.

"You bastard! Let me go!"

She turned her face away and pushed against his chest, but he caught both her wrists in one hand and pinned them above her head.

"Rosie..." Nathaniel said hoarsely.

"No! I don't want this! Nathaniel, if you go any further, I'll hate you for the rest of my life!"

Rosalie was furious and humiliated, but neither feeling came close to the heartbreak she felt. All because he was desperate to get that drug for Evelyn.

"You bastard!"

Tears burned in her eyes. She ducked her head and sank her teeth into his shoulder.

Nathaniel grunted and paused. Then he gave a low chuckle, his voice tinged with fond exasperation.

"Still fighting me, huh? If you can't handle a little pain, how are you going to handle childbirth?"

The mention of childbirth broke Rosalie's heart all over again.

She jerked her head up and stared at Nathaniel's handsome face, just inches from hers. When she spoke, every word was deliberate.

"Nathaniel, what if I told you my mother found out my father was cheating on her while she was giving birth to her second child? She lost so much blood that she died. What if I don't want kids?"

Nathaniel froze.

For a moment, Rosalie thought she saw conflicting emotions flicker in his eyes. But they vanished almost immediately.

"Rosie, I'll give you anything you want. But not this. I want you to have my baby. I want our child to take after you. I'll be there every step of the way, and I'll make sure you have the best medical team in the country. Nothing's going to happen to you."

He sounded so loving, so sincere. But his words only made the pain worse.

He had no idea how much she was hurting, how frightened and desperate she was. All he cared about was keeping Evelyn safe.

Sick with disgust and humiliation, Rosalie struggled against him with all her strength, desperate to break free.

"Let go of me! Nathaniel, let me go!"

But he was too strong. No matter how hard she fought, she couldn't escape his grip. Just as she was beginning to lose hope, a scream rang out nearby.

They both froze.

Rosalie turned and saw Evelyn standing a short distance away, her face deathly pale. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she stared at them.