Chapter 10 Chapter 10 A sudden turn

I lost it completely. Storming over to Lena Carter, I slapped her twice so hard my hands stung. My eyes were red with rage.

"Are you even human? How could you be this cruel? He was a living, breathing person-your nephew, for God's sake!"

Her face immediately puffed up from the slaps, but it didn't come close to easing the fury boiling inside me.

Worse, she didn't even look the slightest bit ashamed. Hell, she raised her hand and slapped me right back, then pointed at Grandma like she had every right to.

"If you want someone to blame, look at her. She's the one who took your kid's life. It's got nothing to do with me."

She wouldn't own up, and it made me so mad my teeth were grinding.

"She knew I was pregnant for nine whole months! Why wait till the end to make a move? You think we're all stupid? You saw me in that bar that night, didn't you?"

Lena didn't bother pretending anymore. She took two steps back, casually picking at her polished nails, eyes full of scorn.

"Yeah, I saw you. So what? You got proof?"

I'd never met someone this twisted and shameless in my life.

I wasn't gonna waste time arguing. I grabbed an old broom from the corner and swung it at her.

She didn't dodge this time. Her face went pale, and tears welled up in her eyes. She looked pitiful, like some helpless little thing.

"Please, calm down. I'm really upset about Dad too. Once Mom feels better, I'll talk to her. Try to get her to drop the charges."

Her fake concern made my blood boil even more.

"Cut the crap. Other people might buy your act, but I know exactly what kind of snake you are."

"You've got me all wrong. I only called the cops because I had no choice," she said, biting her lip before leaning in and whispering,

"I'm the one who took care of that bastard in your belly. Go ahead, call the cops if you've got the guts. Let's see if they come for me."

My brain just blanked out. My chest felt like it was gonna explode. I raised the broom again to slam it down on her-

But someone grabbed it mid-air.

I thought it was Grandma trying to stop me.

Turned out, it was Henry Smith.

He stood between us like a wall, shielding Lena completely. The sharp lines of his black suit only made his coldness more piercing.I hadn't even had time to process seeing him again after all these months when he yanked the broom from my hands and tossed it aside without a second thought.

His gaze was cold, distant, as he looked right at me, voice flat as ever. "What, your dad being locked up isn't enough? You want to join him?"

Of course.

In his eyes, Lena Carter was the poor, helpless fiancée. And we-my dad and I-were the unreasonable ones, barging in to stir up trouble.

Ever since I got the news about Dad, I'd been running on nothing but adrenaline-from worry to fury once I learned about Lena's schemes. I'd been holding it together, but now, finally, it all crashed down. I could feel myself going numb.

And the second my nerves loosened, the pain hit me like a truck.

Still hurting from the miscarriage, I fought to stay upright and pretended it didn't hurt. Lifting my chin, I stared him down. "Henry Smith, the woman you're protecting now is a bi*ch. Stop letting her play you."

She killed our baby.

I wanted so badly to shout it-to make him see. But I didn't.

I was scared his indifference would cut even deeper.

I didn't want our child, wherever they are now, to be disappointed in their father.

But when Henry heard me call Lena a bi*ch, his face went stone cold, the sarcasm dripping from his voice. "You're confusing terms. A 'bi*ch' is someone who sells her body. You sure you're not talking about yourself?"

And just like that, he wrapped an arm around Lena and walked her back into the Carter house.

I felt breathless, humiliated-like I'd just been stripped bare in front of everyone.

That was the first time he'd ever used that kind of language on me. All for her.

I'd always thought he didn't truly love Lena, that the engagement was just business. I remember clearly-four years ago, Lena practically clung to him at a party, begging him for a dance, and he didn't even look her way.

But now? I was clearly wrong.

She really had him wrapped around her little finger. Enough that he couldn't see right from wrong anymore.

Once the show's over and everyone cleared out, Grandma turned to glare daggers at me. "Great job! When the Carters come after your dad even harder because of this, I'll be the first one to knock some sense into you!"

I scoffed at her, shook my head, and left without a word.

They all owed me a life. None of them were getting away that easy.

But that could wait-I had to get Dad out first.

I rushed back to Lumina Cove, grab the bail money, and was ready to head straight to the police station-only to freeze in shock as I saw my dad already sitting calmly in the living room, waiting for me.