Remember that soul-tearing agony, remember my despair as I jumped from that cliff.
Anger began burning in my chest, driving away those damned flutters.
Yes. This was what I should remember.
He'd rejected me, denied me, watched as I was framed, and pushed me into the abyss.
I'd nearly died, along with my child.
And all of it was because of him.
I couldn't afford to soften. I couldn't forget. More importantly, I had to protect Kai.
If Kayden discovered Kai's existence, if he tried to fight for custody, if he saw Kai as a stain that needed erasing...
I would never let that happen.
I fixed my makeup and put that perfect mask back in place.
It was time to leave. I should never have come to this gala in the first place.
I pushed open the restroom door, planning to find Anna directly, tell her I wasn't feeling well and needed to leave early...
Kayden leaned against the hallway wall, his tall frame casting a long shadow in the dim lighting.
He'd been waiting for me.
"Mr. Blackwood," I said coldly, attempting to walk past him. "Please move."
"No." His voice was soft but carried undeniable finality.
"I have things to do..."
"So do I." Kayden straightened, advancing toward me one deliberate step at a time, like a predator stalking prey. "I have many questions to ask you, Layla."
"Enough, I told you I'm not—"
Before I could finish, he suddenly reached out and yanked me toward him.
"What are you doing?!" I cried out, trying to shove him away, but his arm locked around me like an iron band, trapping me between the wall and his body.
My body collided with his solid chest. Through the thin fabric, I could feel his body's heat, the hardness of his muscles, the strong pounding of his heart.
As fast as mine.
"Let go..." My voice had completely lost its strength.
Because this position was far too dangerous.
I had to tilt my head back to see his face, his scent completely engulfing me. I could see every detail of the silver flecks in his eyes.
And those eyes were fixed on me, their heat threatening to melt me where I stood.
I held my breath, unable to move.
"Alright, Miss Ross, if you insist on that name." Kayden's fingertips traced beneath my eyes, that touch light as a feather yet setting every nerve in my body on fire. "Your eyes are indeed wrong."
"But..." Kayden continued, his gaze traveling across my face. "The bone structure is right. The contours, the cheekbones, the curve of your jaw... all right."
