Chapter 1

Quentin Yale only dated me to get back at Mom. He grabbed my throat with one hand, his other hand stroking my belly. He shot a nasty grin at Mom, who looked like she'd seen a ghost.

He sneered. "See this? I—the so-called 'love child'—got your precious daughter pregnant."

Panic shot through me when I saw the color drain from Mom's face. I tightened my grip on Quentin's hand as a wave of unease twisted in my stomach.

Mom's shoulders shook violently, and she grabbed onto the table for support. Her eyes shot daggers at Quentin as she asked, "What are you doing here?"

I glanced over my shoulder and was hit with a chill when I saw Quentin's smile—it used to be so gentle, but now it was creepy.

He lifted our joined hands. "Can't you tell? I'm your son-in-law."

Mom's lips quivered as she clutched her chest, her face growing pale. She had a serious heart problem.

I flung Quentin's hand away and rushed toward her, but he yanked me back. I slammed right into his chest.

His hand tightened around my throat, and I felt like I was choking as I stumbled to stay upright. I couldn't turn to see his face. All I could do was desperately try to pry his hand off.

Mom's condition worsened before my eyes. Her body gave out, and she crumpled to the floor. But even then, she tried to crawl toward me.

Quentin's other hand slid to my belly, which already had a small baby bump.

"Guess you remember me, Ms. Grant? I bet you're disappointed to see how well I turned out," he said. His voice was so calm that it sent a chill down my spine.

I couldn't see Mom's face. All I could hear were her ragged breaths and the words she managed to choke out. "Let go of Winnie…"

Quentin's laugh echoed, deep and menacing, as his grip on my neck tightened. My eyes felt like they were going to pop out of my head.

My vision started to fade, but his voice cut through, sharp as ever. "Did you see? Your beloved daughter's carrying my kid."

My body started shaking, and their words felt like they were coming from another world. Then, suddenly, Mom's breathing stopped.

Panic and horror hit me all at once, and I struggled against Quentin's grip with everything I had. He let out a cold, manic laugh before tossing me hard to the floor. Pain jolted through me, but I pushed it aside.

I could barely make out Mom lying there, and I scrambled over to her. She was still, her face pale, and for a terrifying moment, I couldn't feel her breathing. I took her cold hand.

Before darkness took over, I heard Quentin say, "Finally, the day's here."

…

When the sharp pain in my stomach jerked me awake, the first thing I saw was a reddish-brown ceiling. Memories of what happened before I passed out flooded back.

Today was Mom's birthday. She lived alone in another city and didn't see me much because of her resentment toward Dad. But I knew she loved me deeply.

My pregnancy wasn't planned. Quentin and I decided it was time to introduce him to Mom before we talked about marriage. I'd planned to do it on a cruise, hoping it would be a special birthday gift for her.

The image of Mom's pale, sickly face made me sit up straight. A wave of dizziness hit me. When my vision cleared, I spotted Quentin sitting not too far away.

The warmth he once had was gone, replaced by a cold, brooding darkness.

I pushed through the stabbing pain in my belly and managed to choke out a hoarse cry. "Where's my mom?"

I couldn't read his expression as his face was partially hidden in the shadows.

His voice was cold and distant. "My mother-in-law is at the ship's medical center, of course."

Panic gripped me like a vice and I turned toward the door. Quentin felt like a total stranger. Before I could reach the handle, a sudden force knocked me back onto the bed.

Quentin loomed over me, his face cold and distant. "Aren't you curious why?"