Semua Bab The Surrogate's Reckoning: Bab 41 - Bab 50

Chapter 42Liora's POVRonan Callistar doesn't know when to give up, does he? How I ever managed to get entangled with a demon like him without realizing still amazes me. But that's just life.We tend to get caught up with those people whom we will look back on one day and ask ourselves, What was I thinking? Was I that desperate? Or what blinded my eyes that I couldn't see?Yeah, people like him are fond of hiding their real game till they have broken and ruined the lives of their victims. That's when they show it. And then we are left with an endless river of tears.I stopped crying for Ronan the day I went into labor with Selina. That was the last chance I had given him to take me and his baby back. I would have forgiven him.The memories flash in my mind before I can stop them.Without Aunt Orianna's knowledge, I sneaked to his house, watching from a taxi for when his car would be about to go out of the gate. They had a college party that evening—another party like the one where my

Chapter 44Liora's POVAs I walk back into the more organized courtroom, Mr. Davis apologizes to the judge for our lateness. I barely hear any of it. I'm more focused on Ronan's face. As expected, his lips are curled up in that menacing smirk, his eyes not failing even once to roam over my figure.A shiver travels down my spine with every movement of his eyes. My blood chills, but just as agreed with Evren, I don't let it show. Instead, I force myself to take a deep breath. Let it out. Another one, and then boom!My lips arch in the most confident smirk I can muster. My shoulders rise as a queen, walking to take her place at her throne.My actions bring out the expected reaction from Ronan, whose smirk drops. His eyes narrow as he tries to study me, probably wondering why I'm being smug instead of the terrified little bunny I was a few minutes ago when he thought he had the upper hand.I mean, he still does, but I'm not going to let that show, which is why, as soon as I take my seat,

Chapter 46Liora's POVHis words make the air shift in the courtroom. While my heart flutters with hope, Ronan and his lawyer exchange a brief glance, filled with hatred—or is it fear?I don't notice because Evren starts walking down towards us. In his hands is a folder, which he hands to Mr. Davis.The judge gives a brief recess so the lawyer can go through the evidence Evren has brought in.Then, right there. In front of the judge, the lawyers, Ronan, and his family, Evren gives me a peck on both sides of my jaw and a soft, lingering kiss on the lips.I push him away, clearing my throat and averting my gaze to the floor. Not before noticing the twitch in Ronan's jaw as his eyes remain locked on us.Evren's hand slides to my waist, pulling me flush against his body. A gasp escapes my lips as my eyes fly to his face only to find him engaged in a serious conversation with Mr. Davis. I had been so lost in the sensations of the kiss I hadn't noticed Mr. Davis was back in and the session

Chapter 48Evren's POVI can't believe it. Two weeks? Two weeks with my child. No. That will happen when I die and leave this earth. Not while I'm still breathing.We were so close to winning. So close. But I think Ronan had paid that judge off. No one in his right senses would give a child to a man who told the mother to abort—not once, but on several occasions.Now he thinks I'm going to let him take my child for a whole two weeks? No way.Liora hid herself in our room as soon as we came back. I've been trying to get her to come out and eat. Tough work."Liora, please come out and eat. You know you barely ate anything this afternoon."Thankfully, Ariana was still with Selina when we got home, so she was able to stay with her in another room. I wouldn't want the child to see her mother crying. I know what seeing that did to me."Liora..." I bang hard on the door, making it vibrate on its hinges. If it comes to it, I'm going to break it down. We can use another room."Please come and

Chapter 50Liora's POVHis silver-grey eyes don’t blink. They just stay transfixed on my face. So intense, like he’s trying to memorize every inch. It’s like he’s trying to know the deep secrets I hide behind my eyes.Good grief, why is he looking at me like that?My heart starts doing those annoying things again. It's racing, jolting, tumbling over itself like drunk people on a rampage. Okay, Liora. You need to get away from him. Slowly and steadily. One step at a time.I try to play it cool, shift backward like I just want to lean against the headboard, only this time… I forget I’m at the edge of the bed.“Ahh—!”The scream has barely left my lips when his left hand is already around my waist, the other tossing my poor laptop onto the bed as he catches me like it's his job.No effort.No stress.Not even a wince from my weight pressing onto his hand.“Oh, my poor laptop,” my brain, trying to distract me from the Adonis before me, says in my head. “You’ve been through so much tod—”M