Chapter 6
My fingers traced gentle circles over my lower abdomen as I gazed at the deepening sunset outside,
The wind chime jingled again–not from the breeze this time, but from a tall figure pushing the shop door open….
Before the chime’s lingering echo faded, David stood before the counter.
Raindrops still clung to his black overcoat as his knuckles rapped the glass display case, his voice colder than the
winter rain outside.
“Is this how you treat customers, Donna? Leaving them waiting in the rain?”
I deliberately angled the magnifying glass toward his wristwatch, feigning calm.
“You’ll need to remove it first if you want servicing, David.”
He abruptly leaned in, a chilling scent mingled with danger washing over me.
“What I’d rather fix is your lying habit.”
A recent prenatal report slapped onto the counter–the very one I’d hidden beneath the watch trays.
“Didn’t you write back claiming you’d terminated that rapist’s child?”
His finger dragged across the ultrasound image. “Yet here you are, fleeing while carrying my heirs. Twins, no less.”
“If you’re here for the babies, David, you may leave now.”
“My answer remains unchanged–I want nothing more to do with your family.”
A flicker of pain crossed David’s eyes, but his gaze remained stubbornly fixed on my belly. A sudden, bitter laugh es- caped him.
“Donna, your heart’s softer than anyone’s. Could you truly destroy two innocent lives?”
“Would you condemn them to fatherless births? Neither of us is wed. Return as Mrs. Carter–for their sake. We can nurture affection after marriage.”
With an inscrutable smile, he slid a surveillance video toward me.
Watching my face bleach white, he clarified swiftly, “Don’t mistake this for blackmail, Donna. I didn’t film it. Some- one planted hidden cameras that night.”
“Though it serves my purpose now. See clearly–I recognized you weren’t Samantha immediately. I pushed you away. Even stabbed myself twice to fight the drugs.”
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Chapter 6
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“Did you hear?” His voice roughened. “You begged for my help that night. Where’s the rape in that? Set aside your stubbornness. Become my wife–for these children.”
Arrogance melted into pleading. “I know you’ve suffered. Let me avenge you. No one will harm you again. I’ll spend my life making amends.”
“I don’t need it!” My voice cracked like shattered glass.
“Your name? Your redemption? Like Edward’s pity–just another cover–up for your sins! Get out!”
David’s expression darkened stormily, yet he merely sighed.
“I understand this is overwhelming.”
“But Donna, I implore you–don’t punish these innocent babies.“
“Give me time. I will win you back.”
With that confident vow, he turned, closing the door gently against the raging storm outside.
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Chapter 7
