I lean close, pinning my eyes to hers as I lower my voice.
“You and I are nothing. You disgust me, Lavinia.”
She reels back, looking like she’s about to pass out, throw up, or both.
“Th-this isn’t you. You’ve always been gentle. She’s turned you like this.”
“You don’t know me at all.” I hold her eyes as she stares at me in shock. “Hallie is going to be my wife. She’s carrying my child. She’s a Beaufort now. And I will destroy anyone who threatens a member of my family.”
“You…” She splutters, frowning. “That’s not?—”
“Who I am? Yes, it is. And if you don’t believe me, then come near Hallie again. Talk to her. Look in her direction. But you’d better be ready for me to come for you. Because mark my words, Lavinia. I will kill you myself.” I turn my face to whisper in her ear, my voice the epitome of calm. “And I’ll feel nothing as I do it.”
I move back as her breath leaves her in a silent sob.
“Now please excuse me,” I say, straightening my jacket. “My fiancée is waiting for me.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, her voice small and weak, like her. “I’m so sorry for everything.”
“It’s too late. The best thing you can do now is disappear.”
Her face crumples and she bursts into sobs.
I walk away without looking back. Lavinia might be interfering and selfish, but she’s not stupid.
Not like Rory.
She’ll heed my warning and stay away.
40
HALLIDAY
The doorto the hospital room opens and I look up, expecting Sterling or the sonographer.
Instead, icy blue eyes meet mine as Sullivan steps inside and closes the door. He frowns as his gaze roams around the room, taking in the medical equipment.
“Oh, Sterling just came looking for you all to give you an update,” I tell him, standing from the edge of the bed.
“The baby?” he asks.
“Is okay.”
He places his hands onto his hips and exhales, his shoulders softening. “Thank god,” he murmurs quietly. “And you? How are you feeling?”
His gaze comes back to me, and I struggle to keep my surprise at the genuine concern in his voice from showing.
“I’m… yeah, I’m okay. Happy and relieved.”
He nods, before reaching into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “I was on my way to see you today, before I got the call about the fire. I was coming to give you this.” He pulls a brown envelope out and hands it to me.
My heart sinks as I recognize it—the non-disclosure agreement. Maybe he’s made adjustments to it since Sterling and I got engaged. Added that I should return the ring or something.
“Okay. Let me look over the changes, and?—”
He tears the envelope in two.
I frown. “Did Sterling ask you to?—”
