Donavan shoved Carlota hard into the VIP lounge. He reached back to slam the heavy mahogany double doors shut.
Harper reacted with lightning speed. Just as the door was about to click into the frame, she threw her body weight against the wood, squeezing herself through the narrow gap.
Donavan shot Harper a look so cold it could freeze boiling water. He didn't say a word to her. He walked straight to the center of the room and sat down heavily on the black leather sofa. His dark aura filled every corner of the room.
Carlota rubbed her red, throbbing wrist. She leaned her back against the door panel, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for another exit. There was none.
Harper rushed over to Carlota. She grabbed Carlota's hands, wearing a mask of deep concern.
"Carlota, honey, what is going on?" Harper asked sweetly.
Beneath the cover of their joined hands, Harper's sharp acrylic nails dug viciously into the soft flesh of Carlota's hand.
Carlota gasped in pain. Her eyebrows pulled together, but she clamped her mouth shut, refusing to cry out in front of Donavan.
Donavan pulled his sleek smartphone from his suit pocket. He dialed a number and put it on speaker.
"Bring the portable ultrasound machine to the Plaza Hotel, top floor VIP lounge. Now," Donavan ordered his private doctor. He hung up before the man could reply.
All the blood drained from Carlota's face. Her skin turned the color of ash. A portable ultrasound. He was going to strip her down and check the gestational age right here. If the doctor saw the fetus was exactly seven months along, the lie would be over.
Harper kept her fake smile plastered on her face. "Donavan, please don't scare my little sister like this."
While she spoke, Harper's eyes dropped, staring intensely at Carlota's stomach.
Carlota violently ripped her hands out of Harper's grip. She spun around, grabbing the brass doorknob, twisting it frantically.
Donavan stood up. In two long strides, he crossed the room. He slammed his large palm flat against the wood right above Carlota's head. His body pressed against her back, trapping her completely between the door and his chest.
He lowered his head. His hot breath brushed against her trembling eyelashes.
"You aren't leaving this room," Donavan whispered, his voice a lethal threat.
Harper watched them, her jealousy burning a hole in her stomach. She walked up beside them, forcing tears into her eyes.
"Carlota, what are you hiding from us?" Harper cried, her voice trembling.
Carlota took a deep, shuddering breath. She tilted her head back, meeting Donavan's furious gaze.
"I told you," Carlota said, her voice tight. "The baby is not yours."
Donavan sneered. "When the doctor gets here and draws your blood for a DNA test, your lies will end."
Suddenly, a low, steady mechanical hum sounded from the hallway. The noise stopped right outside the VIP lounge.
The brass doorknob under Carlota's hand began to turn from the outside.
Donavan frowned. He stepped back just a fraction of an inch, loosening his trap.
The heavy door was pushed open.
Jared Pierce sat in his custom-built, high-tech electric wheelchair. He wore a perfectly tailored navy suit. His eyes were calm, warm, but carried an undeniable weight of authority as he looked into the room.
Carlota gasped. Surprise flashed across her face, instantly replaced by a desperate, burning need for rescue.
Jared pushed the joystick on his armrest. The wheelchair glided smoothly into the room, stopping directly between Carlota and Donavan.
Donavan looked down at Jared. A cruel smirk twisted his lips.
"The crippled heir of the Pierce family is joining the drama?" Donavan mocked, adjusting his cufflinks.
Jared didn't flinch. He tilted his head up, meeting Donavan's aggressive stare without an ounce of fear.
"Let go of my fiancée," Jared said. His voice was quiet, but it echoed like a gunshot in the silent room.
The air in the VIP lounge instantly turned to ice.
Harper gasped out loud, her hands flying to cover her mouth. Her eyes were wide with shock.
Donavan's face turned a dangerous shade of purple. The muscles in his jaw locked. His dark eyes darted violently between Jared's calm face and Carlota's pale one.
Jared turned his wheelchair slightly. He reached out and gently took Carlota's trembling hand in his warm one.
"Don't be afraid," Jared murmured to her.
Jared looked back at Donavan. He spoke clearly, making sure every word landed heavily in the room.
"The child Carlota is carrying belongs to me."
A violent tremor ripped through Carlota's body. She looked down at Jared. He gave her hand a subtle, reassuring squeeze. She swallowed the lump of panic in her throat. She bit her lip and nodded, confirming the massive lie.
Donavan's hands curled into fists at his sides. The thick blue veins on the back of his hands bulged against his skin. He felt like he had been slapped across the face. The humiliation and rage boiled in his blood.
Harper immediately jumped in, her voice dripping with fake relief.
"Oh my god, Carlota! Why didn't you tell us? This is wonderful news!" Harper clapped her hands together, desperate to cement this lie into reality.
Donavan let out a dark, terrifying laugh. He spun around and kicked the heavy glass coffee table. The table shattered, sending shards of glass flying across the expensive rug.
"Notify the press that the engagement is indefinitely postponed, and have the legal team prepare to dissolve the prenuptial contract," Donavan roared.
He didn't look back. He stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind him with a deafening crash.
