Page 157 of Hidden Echoes

Shit.

"You’re just going to let me walk away?"

"I don’t want anything from you, Mia," Paulina says simply.

I narrow my eyes. "You’re loyal to my father."

"I don’t want you back." Her lip curls in disgust. "There’s nothing I need from you. Not anymore."

Her words settle like lead in my stomach.

Paulina wants a child. Desperately. And I was supposed to give her one. Or rather, she planned to use me to create another human being—another pawn for my father. Her plan was to make me a surrogate mother. My father agreed, as long as I was married first.

Well, I beheaded my first groom.

That ruined their plans. And in retaliation, Paulina tried to have me killed, using one of my father’s lovers as her weapon. That… didn't end well. I killed one of Nico’s strongest soldiers, which sent him into a rage. His punishment? Stripping me of my ability to have children, just to spite Paulina. After that, he discarded me, selling me off to my uncle to be used as his whore.

That’s my family. That’s my father.

Eventually, he realized I wasn’t even useful forthatand threw me away like trash. Maybe Paulina is just here to finish the job. Maybe she’s waiting for me to break, to do her work for her.

"Don’t worry," Paulina says lightly. "I got over wanting to kill you. There are much more modern ways to get what I want…"

"Keep talking like I care, Paulina," I snap.

"You were always such an insolent little brat, just like your father. Nico never had much patience," she sneers. "You can see it in the way he’s become a shameless opportunist, hopping from woman to woman. He humiliated me, flaunting his bastard children like proof of his conquest. You? You’re just a freak."

"And you’re just a bitter old woman who tortures children because you can’t have any of your own," I spit.

"Shut your mouth."

The slap is sharp, splitting my lip. I taste blood—but I smile.

"I know that look." She smirks. "It’s cute that you think you can kill me, darling. But like I said, I don’t miss you. If it were up to me, we’d just forget this little incident, and I’d go back to my life."

"You’re not exactly the type to give advice," I growl.

"Zane’s father and I dated when we were younger."

My breath catches. "How do you know about Zane?"

"His mother offered me his organs in exchange for drugs. Despicable, really, what she’d do for heroin. But it was useful. I learned everything I needed to know."

My stomach churns.

"She had three kids with him. Taylor Hill is my favorite. But Zane?" She sniffs. "He’s a cutie. Always thought he was a little too delicate."

She tilts her head, amused. "I’m just a bored wife, Mia. I don’t want to hurt the Hills. Watching them destroy themselves from the inside is entertaining enough. But your father? He will. Once he finds out about your little affair with Zane."

Her gaze flickers to my hand, and her smirk widens.

"Oh my God. Is that a wedding ring?" She lets out a delighted laugh. "Don’t tell me you married him? Mia, you really do know how to live."

My pulse pounds in my ears.

"What do you mean my father will hurt him?" I ask sharply.

Paulina sighs, as if I’m an idiot. "You know how the mafia works. You can’t just go around dating anyone—blah, blah, blah. Stupid rules men impose. It’s obvious, Mia. The moment your father finds out, he’ll kill Zane."

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