Chapter 5

Zoe’s face flushed red, tears springing to her eyes as she stared down at the photos.

She took a closer look and felt sick to her stomach.

In every photo, a woman was tangled up with older men, shirtless, her expression dazed, her body posed in deliberately suggestive ways.

And the worst part? Every single photo starred her.

Dylan’s voice was ice-cold.

“Zoe Stone, if you want to be trash, that’s your business. But don’t drag our family name down with you.”

“How the hell did your parents raise such a shameless daughter?”

His eyes bore into her like she was filth.

Zoe shook her head quickly, panicked. “That’s not me in the photos. They’ve been doctored!”

Dylan let out a bitter laugh. “So now you’re denying it? You think I’d believe a word you say? You drugged me—God knows what else you’re capable of. Addicted to men, is that it? Can’t even keep it together while pregnant?

“Our family must’ve been cursed for generations to end up with someone like you. And my parents? They still think you’re some sweet little angel. The truth is, you’re absolutely disgusting.

“I bought every last one of these photos—not to protect you, but to protect the Xander family from embarrassment.”

Every word landed like a blade, stabbing deep into Zoe’s heart. She went pale, her body trembling. But more than pain, she felt rage.

Because she knew exactly who had orchestrated this.

“That’s not me in those pictures,” she choked out. “It’s Jenny. She’s the one who had them made. She hired someone to fake them!”

The truth burst out of her, along with uncontrollable tears.

The air fell still for a heartbeat—then the storm crashed in.

“What did you just say?” Dylan snarled.

He shoved Zoe against the wall. His once-gentle eyes were now bloodshot, wild, terrifying.

“You’re blaming Jenny? You really have no shame. You don’t even deserve to say her name!”

The back of Zoe’s head slammed into the wall. Her palm, already scraped raw, began to bleed again as she braced herself.

Tears ran freely down her face, but she glared at him with stubborn defiance.

“We grew up together, Dylan! Why won’t you believe me?!

“I know those photos were fake. Jenny had them made—she’s trying to frame me because I know what she—”

“Shut up!”

The sound of his slap cracked through the air.

Zoe’s head snapped to the side, and five bright red marks appeared instantly across her pale cheek.

Before she could even react, Dylan grabbed her by the jaw and spat in her face.

“You drugged me once. Why should I believe anything you say?”

That one sentence drained the strength from her body.

Without trust, nothing she said mattered.

Seeing her go quiet only fueled Dylan’s fury.

The truth was, when he first saw the photos, a small part of him had hesitated. But looking at Zoe now—her silence, her refusal to admit anything—only confirmed it for him.

She was that kind of girl.

And worse, she had the nerve to drag Jenny’s name through the mud.

His expression turned vicious. He grabbed Zoe’s arm and yanked her toward the door.

“You want to leave so badly? Then get out! Right now!

“You’re no longer welcome in this family. I don’t care if you die out there. From this point on, you’re nothing to us!”

Zoe had only just undergone the procedure. Her body was weak, aching, and vulnerable. Dylan’s grip was brutal, and she didn’t even have the strength to fight back. Pain twisted through her abdomen with every step.

“Dylan, please—calm down. Can we just talk?” she pleaded softly. “I just had surgery. I’m not feeling well. Can I at least stay until tomorrow?”

Her lips were almost colorless, her voice barely holding together—but none of it moved Dylan.

If anything, it only made him colder.

His grip tightened, and he dragged her harder.

“Don’t play the victim in front of me. You looked perfectly fine when you were out screwing around.”

His voice dropped, deadly sharp.

“You like chasing after men so much? Then go find them. Now.”