Chapter 6

Back at home, Riley began methodically sorting through the paperwork for their assets. She laid out the supplementary credit card Yale had given her, the jewelry, and the property deeds, arranging everything on the table as though she were settling the accounts of some absurd dream.

Three days later, Yale Sullivan was discharged from the hospital.

He appeared in the doorway wearing an immaculate suit, his tie perfectly knotted. Nothing about his appearance suggested he'd suffered a near-fatal injury just days earlier.

"Baby, work's been so hectic lately. I haven't had any time for you."

He approached her, intending to pull her into his arms. The faint smell of antiseptic still clung to him.

Yale had kept his injury and hospitalization a secret. Riley knew he was afraid she'd become suspicious and he wouldn't know how to explain himself. That was why he'd rushed to get discharged.

What he didn't know was that she'd witnessed everything. She'd seen with her own eyes just how willing he was to risk his life for another woman.

"How's our little one doing?" Yale suddenly asked, his gaze settling on her stomach. "Have you been taking your medicine? Your belly actually looks a little smaller."

As he reached out to touch her, Riley instinctively stepped back.

"I'm not feeling well. Don't touch me." Her voice was cold.

Yale frowned deeply and immediately summoned the housekeepers to ask how she'd been doing lately. When he learned she hadn't been taking her pregnancy medicine, his expression changed. He went straight to the kitchen to prepare it himself.

"Come on, baby. Be good." His voice was impossibly gentle as he held out the bowl. "You need to take your medicine for your own health. It'll make things easier for you when it's time to give birth."

Riley stared at the dark brown liquid, trying to think of an excuse to refuse it, when the doorbell rang.

Several of Yale's closest friends had arrived, all looking agitated. After telling Riley to get some rest, he ushered them into his study.

The moment their footsteps faded, Riley poured the medicine down the sink and rinsed it away.

She was heading back to the bedroom when the sound of an increasingly heated discussion reached her from the study.

"Yale, Selise's family is trying to force her into an arranged marriage. She refused, so her parents have locked her in the house. They're planning to hold the wedding the day after tomorrow and make it a done deal."

A sharp crash followed, sounding like a teacup shattering.

After what felt like an eternity, Yale finally spoke, his voice cold and controlled.

"I understand."

"What do you mean, you understand?" another friend demanded.

"I mean," Yale replied, enunciating every word, "I'm not letting her marry someone she doesn't love."

The study erupted in protest.

"Wait, you're planning to break up the wedding?"

"Yale, think about what you're doing! You're a married man, and your baby's due in just a few months!"

"Have you even considered what people will say about Riley if you pull something like that?"

"And what about your child? How's your kid supposed to deal with the fallout?"

"Aren't you afraid Riley will divorce you?"

Despite the chorus of objections, Yale's firm response silenced them all.

"I'll handle it. Riles won't hear about any of this."

"And what if she finds out?"

Several seconds passed before Yale answered.

"So what if she does? I'll just have to sweet-talk her a little. She's so crazy about me that she can't bear to be without me."

Outside the study, Riley stood frozen, her face drained of color.

Her fingers drifted unconsciously to her chest. There was still a dull ache in her heart, but the unbearable, gut-wrenching pain she'd once felt was gone.

It was then that she realized she was slowly letting go of him.

She really didn't love him anymore.