Chapter 6

Diane Halloway entered like she owned the hospital.

Pearls.

Cream coat.

Perfect hair.

The face of a woman who had spent sixty years confusing money with moral authority.

She stopped when she saw my uncle.

Then Nora.

Then me sitting upright with monitors behind me.

Her smile thinned.

“Tessa, darling, you frightened everyone.”

I said nothing.

She hated that.

Diane turned to my uncle.

“Dr. Mercer, we appreciate your concern, but this is a family matter.”

Nora stood.

“I am counsel for Mrs. Halloway.”

Diane’s eyebrows rose.

“How dramatic.”

“That seems to be the family word tonight.”

Diane looked at me.

“You see? This is exactly why Bennett has concerns. You surround yourself with people who encourage rebellion.”

My daughter kicked hard.

I placed a hand on my stomach.

“Rebellion?”

“You are a wife. Soon a mother. You need stability.”

“Bennett froze my cards.”

“To teach restraint.”

“He forged medical documents.”

Diane’s face did not change.

That was when I knew.

She already knew.

Nora saw it too.

“Mrs. Halloway, did you advise your son to pursue medical authority over Tessa?”

Diane smiled.

“My son protects what is his.”

I felt the room drop away.

“What is his?”

“His family.”

“Say what you mean.”

Diane looked at my stomach.

“My granddaughter.”

The monitor beeped faster.

Clara stepped closer.

My uncle said, “Careful, Diane.”

Diane ignored him.

“Tessa, you have always been fragile. Emotional. Unsuitable for the level of responsibility Bennett carries.”

I laughed softly.

Everyone looked at me.

I could not help it.

For months, they had called me weak.

Fragile.

Dramatic.

Now I was sitting in a hospital I apparently partly owned, listening to the woman who raised my tormentor explain why my unborn child belonged to them.

“Get out,” I said.

Diane blinked.

“What?”

“Get out of my room.”

Her face hardened.

“You will regret speaking to me that way.”

Nora lifted her phone.

“Threat noted.”

Diane turned to leave.

At the door, she paused.

“Bennett should have married Margot when he had the chance.”

I looked at her.

“He still can.”

Diane smiled.

“Not if we need him widowed first.”

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The room froze.

Then Diane realized what she had said.