Chapter 5

Pain shot through my knees as they slammed into the cold marble floor.

I struggled to stand, but Miles's hand clamped down on my shoulder like iron, forcing me to stay down.

He lowered his voice. "Why won't you say anything? Just apologize to her. Once."

I gritted my teeth. "I'll say this one last time," I said, my voice low and tight. "I did not push her. There's a hidden camera in the penthouse hall. Check the surveillance footage yourself."

If he checked that recording, Kate's clumsy act would be exposed for what it was.

But he didn't even consider it.

He just didn't believe me.

"Harper, you've disappointed me more than I can say. Do you have any idea what you destroyed? It wasn't just a baby, it was her chance to ever be a mother."

"She's been through enough. All she wants is an apology, and you're still refusing?"

"You took away her chance to be a mother. It's only right that you compensate her with your foundation. And consider this penance for selling my shares to my uncle behind my back."

Only right.

The future Don, a man who valued power above all else, was actually choosing Kate over a thirty percent stake that could cost him everything.

I laughed, a bitter, furious sound, as tears welled in my eyes. Finally, three words escaped my lips.

"I'm sorry."

Only then did Miles release his grip, handing me a pre-drafted asset transfer agreement.

How ridiculous. As if a signature on a piece of paper could strip that much wealth from the Romano family.

But to get out of there as fast as I could, I signed it.

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes. He reached out to help me up, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, just like he always used to.

"Good girl. Now, to prevent any more trouble, you'll have to put up with this for a little while."

"And remember, not a word of this gets out. Especially about Kate's miscarriage."

It wasn't until two of his men locked me in an abandoned supply closet that I understood what he meant by "put up with this."

He never intended for me to play my part at the wedding.

He just wanted to lock me up, announce to the world that I'd left him at the altar, and then play the jilted groom as he married Kate.

I pounded on the door and screamed until my voice was raw. Finally, I caught the attention of an old housekeeper cleaning the halls.

The moment she opened the door, I recognized her. A thirty-year veteran of the Sterling household, someone Eleonora had once shown great kindness to.

She recognized me too. Without a word, she handed me a coat and whispered, "Miss Romano, the back door."

A glance at my watch told me my flight was departing in thirty minutes.

I headed straight for the airport.

Just as I was stepping into the VIP boarding channel, Eleonora called.

"Harper, where are you? Miles just released a statement saying you ran out on the wedding. Is he really going to marry that servant's daughter and bring shame on this family?"

Before I could speak, the tinny sound of a boarding announcement echoed through the phone.

"Harper, are you at the airport? At a time like this? Where the hell do you think you're going, abandoning our alliance?"

"Madam, today's wedding is for him and Kate. It has nothing to do with me."

Eleonora was so furious she didn't hang up. I could hear her erupt on the other end, her voice a thunderous rage as she demanded of Miles, who must have been beside her, if he had lost his goddamn mind.

Miles's frantic voice shouted back in his own defense.

"Mom, back off! Kate is pregnant. I have to do this to protect the family bloodline. You're about to have a grandson."

I thought Eleonora, who valued bloodline above all else, would back down at this news.

But the line went deathly silent.

Then, a sharp, furious roar.

"Bullshit. She was caught in a gang shootout when she was eight. She had a hysterectomy."

"How the hell could she get pregnant?"