Vanessa laughed sharply, like it was hilarious. She turned to Pakhan. "Mr. Thorne, I can't believe a surrogate tool could be this naive."
Pakhan stared at me, expressionless, like I was an ant he could squash.
"Olei?" Vanessa's eyes dripped malice. "That's what you named him? Too bad—he won't get that name."
Each word stabbed my heart's soft spot, shredding my hopes.
"Visitation," she sneered, lip curling. "You think Silas said that because he cares? Why do you think he told you that crap right before you popped?"
Dread stabbed sharper than the pain. I didn't want to hear it—I knew it'd be poison.
"He told me it was all to keep you calm, so you'd deliver a healthykid," Vanessa dropped the bomb. "You're just a picked womb. I'm infertile, so Mr. Thorne and Silas figured this out—get a fertile bitch to birth an heir, then seal our families' marriage."
"It's not like that. He cares about me! I'm not just a container!" I gripped the ring tight, yelling. Its hardness gave me guts to fight back.
"Today's your big day—know why he's not here?" Her mockery turned to fake pity. "He only wants the kid. Doesn't want to see your face again. Your value hit zero the second that baby came out."
"No..." Tears blurred it all. I shook my head, but my walls crumbled.
Yeah, where was Silas? If he gave a damn, why wasn't he here when I was dying in pain? Why let them steal Olei? I hadn't even seen his face—just heard his cries weaken, like he was tired. Without me to soothe him, was he scared?
Vanessa delivered the final blow. "Oh, and in a month, Silas and I are getting engaged. So forget any spot here. Your job's over. Don't try clinging to him or the kid."
She turned for the door, Olei in her arms. Pinned by guards, I could only watch her take my baby.
"It's over," Pakhan said, stepping close, his old voice heavy with authority.
He pulled a check from his pocket and tossed it at me like trash. The number was huge—enough for any normal family to live easy forever. But it just chilled me to the bone.
"Take this money, grab your parents, and get out of America. Never come back, or you know what the Bratva does. Leave or die," he said, ice cold.
My tears ran dry. Where was Silas? Was this his call? Was he really this cruel?
"Please, let me stay in the city. I swear I won't show up in Silas's life or Olei's—I just want to glimpse him from afar," I begged.
"No bargaining," he said, eyes flashing bloodthirsty. "Unless you want you and your parents wiped off the map right now."
That killed my last spark. His aura reeked of countless kills, making me shake.
I knew he'd do it.
"Fine," I squeezed out after a long pause.
Pakhan snorted, pleased with my smarts, and nodded to the guards. "See her on the plane."
I looked down at the ring. Not long ago, it was my strength, proof of Silas's softness. Now it mocked my stupidity. All lies—softness, promises, visitation. Silas got my kid and my heart, then crushed it underfoot.
I hated him. I hated everyone here.
I yanked the ring off and hurled it to the floor. As it left me, my heart shattered for good.
I closed my eyes, letting darkness swallow me.
I'm sorry, Olei. My baby.
Chapter Six
Silas
