Danae marched down the thick carpet of the hotel corridor, her pace aggressive as she headed straight for the elevator banks. She needed to get out of this building.
"Danae! Wait!"
Jordyn's voice echoed down the hall, artificially pitched up into a desperate, trembling whine.
Danae ignored her. She reached the elevators and slammed her palm against the call button.
Footsteps rushed up behind her. Jordyn's hand clamped down hard around Danae's left wrist.
Danae stopped. She turned her head, her eyes narrowing with pure irritation. "Let go of me."
Jordyn's acrylic nails dug painfully into Danae's skin, leaving crescent-shaped indentations. But Jordyn wasn't looking at Danae. Her eyes were fixed on the far end of the hallway.
Danae followed her gaze.
Coming around the corner was Adrian, flanked by his executive assistant.
The moment Adrian was in clear view, Jordyn turned back to Danae. A sickening, triumphant smile stretched across Jordyn's face.
Then, Jordyn let go of Danae's wrist.
Jordyn threw her own body backward. She launched herself through the air like a ragdoll.
Her back slammed violently into a heavy wooden display pedestal against the wall. The impact echoed loudly down the corridor.
Jordyn slid to the floor. She curled into the fetal position, clutching her flat stomach, and let out a blood-curdling, agonizing scream.
Adrian's head snapped up.
He dropped the leather folder in his hands. The papers scattered across the floor.
"Jordyn!" Adrian roared.
He sprinted down the hallway, his heavy shoes pounding against the floorboards beneath the carpet.
Danae stood frozen in shock, staring down at the woman writhing on the floor.
Adrian reached them. He didn't slow down. He dropped his shoulder and rammed his body full-force into Danae.
The impact knocked the breath out of her lungs. Danae flew backward, her spine crashing brutally against the cold steel doors of the elevator. Pain radiated down her ribs.
Adrian dropped to his knees. His hands were shaking violently as he pulled Jordyn into his chest.
"She pushed me!" Jordyn sobbed, burying her face in Adrian's neck. "Adrian, my stomach! It hurts so much!"
Adrian's head whipped around. The look in his eyes wasn't just anger; it was pure, unadulterated murder. The muscle in his jaw ticked so hard it looked like the bone might snap.
"You vicious monster," Adrian snarled, his voice vibrating with rage.
Danae rubbed her bruised shoulder, standing up straight. "She threw herself backward. It's an act."
Jordyn let out another pathetic whimper, her fingers digging into Adrian's shirt.
Adrian's eyes went completely feral. He slid his arms under Jordyn's knees and back, lifting her effortlessly into his arms. He held her tight against his chest.
He turned his head to the two hotel security guards who had just run up to the scene.
"Detain her," Adrian ordered, pointing his chin at Danae. "Do not let her out of your sight."
The two massive guards stepped forward. They boxed Danae in, crossing their arms over their chests.
Danae watched Adrian carry Jordyn away, his face pale with panic.
A cold, heavy stone settled in Danae's stomach. When she was in labor, dying on a hospital bed, he hadn't even answered the phone. Now, he was ready to kill for a woman with a scraped elbow.
The betrayal froze the blood in her veins. She lowered her hands, her face turning to stone, and let the guards escort her toward the medical wing.
