All Chapters of Lies of a Pregnant Bride: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

A nasty bruise bloomed around Miles's right eye, and his shirt was ripped in a few places, the exposed skin red and raw with blood seeping through.It was clear as day he'd been slammed to the ground and roughed up good.Julie bit her lip, dabbing ointment on him gingerly. "Does it still hurt here?""No kidding! What do you think?" Miles winced, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.Julie shot him a look, half exasperated."If you know it hurts, why'd you go barreling through a crowd like that? And then you knock someone over and don't even say sorry. You are just...""Enough already, I don't need your help." Miles swatted her hand away. "Always nagging. I'm the one who's hurt, and you're still yapping away."Not only had he lost the trail, but he'd taken a beating too, and his mood was already in the gutter. This woman wouldn't shut up. It was driving him nuts.A sharp sting flared across the back of Julie's hand, her fingers trembling around the cotton swab.She opened her mouth, the

Sophia shook her head. "It's not that straightforward.""He's been poking around, testing me left and right. Lucky I caught on quick, or I'd have tumbled right into the trap he set."Alyssa blew out a smoke ring. "Who cares? If he's testing, that means he has zero proof. No proof, no problem. What are you even scared of?"Sophia: "Of course I'm scared. He'd squash me like a bug without breaking a sweat."Alyssa: "You knew he was trouble from the jump. So why'd you go chasing after him? All that effort for nothing.""You should've picked some pushover with a soft spot. With your grit, you wouldn't be stressing over a marriage license right now."Sophia let out a soft laugh. "Guys in high society? Not a single one's a lightweight. Where am I gonna find a pushover?""Landing Ethan was a straight-up miracle. Otherwise, I'd never get within spitting distance of the Blackwood family.""Plus, he's hot, built like a tank, and no messy side chicks on the roster. That's rare as hell even for re

The kitchen gleamed spotless and bright."Ma'am, are you sure you want to handle this yourself?" The maid hovered at the doorway, worry etching her face."Yep." Sophia slipped on an apron with easy grace, tying it into a neat bow at her waist."Today's our four-year anniversary—the day Ethan and I first crossed paths. I wanna cook up his favorites and drop them off at the office."She swept her long hair into a quick updo, baring the smooth curve of her neck."You're one lucky guy, sir," the maid said with a soft chuckle. "Need me to pull any ingredients from the pantry?""Nah, fridge should have everything."Sophia glided to the sleek double-door smart fridge, pulling out items like a pro.A prime cut of steak, fresh black truffles, a bunch of crisp asparagus...She lined them up on the marble counter, rinsing each one meticulously before grabbing the chef's knife and getting to work.Ever since she'd latched onto the Blackwood tree, maids handled every meal, errand, you name it. It'

Ethan gripped the wheel with both hands, eyes locked on the road ahead.Sophia rode shotgun, her gaze drifting between his profile and the scenery blurring by.Gotta admit, the guy was drop-dead gorgeous.From the side, his brow bone was killer, lashes long and curled, nose straight as an arrow, lips pressed in that effortlessly regal way.She'd picked him partly for that face—pure perfection.Figured even if she never locked down the family fortune, a roll in the hay with a stud like him wouldn't be a total loss.Good thing she'd kept her head on straight, dodging that sleazy director's pitch about "launching" her in Hollywood with all-you-can-eat resources and a fast track to fame.Yeah, right—like she'd buy that line.After scraping by on the bottom rung for years, she'd seen every lowlife and hustler in the book.She knew the score: a pretty face with zero backup in that world? You'd get chewed up and spit out unless you had someone in your corner.Sure, you could play it straight

Night had fallen.They'd just wrapped up a candlelit dinner."I'm stepping out for some air." Ethan stood, glancing back with a warning. "Wind's picking up out there. Stay put."Sophia nodded sweetly, watching him head to the deck.She sank into the sofa, peering through the glass at Ethan leaning on the rail, staring out at the dark water.The wind howled fierce, the yacht rocking in fits.Truth be told, she hated the ocean at night—all inky black and creepy as hell.If not for the yacht's neon glow and plush cabin vibes cutting the edge off the spooky sea, she'd probably have her eyes squeezed shut.Sophia propped her chin, zoning out, when a hard lurch yanked her back.Huh?Hallucination?Felt like the swells were hitting bigger.Sophia snapped alert, gripping the sofa arm to stand.Lightning cracked the sky, thunder rumbling—then fat raindrops hammered the deck.Waves churned wild, tossing the yacht from crest to trough.Sophia stumbled, nearly eating it.Weather turning on a dime