Page 28 of His Revenge
He pauses for a moment, tapping the table lightly with one finger.
“Well, you started at Excel Properties,” he says in a measured tone.“And that changed a lot of things for me.Forus,” he amends.
“Right, because you were in the middle of a divorce from my mom, and yet I was working at your company.Awkward, but ultimately not a big deal.Go on.”
Brad nods, his expression thoughtful.
“Yes, but you were very beautiful, sweetheart, and I was attracted to you, obviously.We started making love, and I realized that this was a way to tip things in my favor.At least, that’s how I saw it in the beginning.”
I stare at him.
“Tip things in your favor,how?What are you talking about?”
“With the divorce,” he says in a low voice.“I realized that I wanted revenge on Joelle, and I was going to get it by getting her daughter pregnant.”
This comment leaves me speechless.I gape at him like a dying fish, my eyes round.
“You got me pregnant on purpose as revenge on mymother?”
“I did,” he rasps, a harsh flush coming onto those high cheekbones.“But then I started having feelings for you, and that changed everything, Minnie.So I struck a deal with your mom.”
I’m so shocked now that I can’t speak.My hands grip my napkin, the knuckles white, as I stare with horror at Brad.What is happening right now?I feel like I’m in the middle of a dumpster fire with the flames raging all around me, and no way to get out.My skin is crawling, my eyes feel oddly dry and hot, and I can’t speak.Brad takes the opportunity to continue.
“So I made a deal with Joelle,” he says in a low voice.“I wanted to get you pregnant, and if I succeeded, I’d settle the divorce with her for a large sum of money.That’s what happened earlier today,” he adds.“The settlement papers were signed, and the pre-nup was waived.You’re pregnant, and as a result, Joelle’s walking away with twenty million dollars.”
I stare at him, the words floating into my head but not making sense.
“You struck a deal with my mother,” I say in a low, trembling voice.“Joelle agreed to let you knock me up, in return for a payment of twenty million.”
“Yes,” Brad confirms, his handsome features looking a bit ashamed.“I know it sounds sordid and wrong, and it’s because it is.No mother should offer her daughter as a surrogate, but it was the only card she had left to play.And it only happened because you showed up at Excel, gorgeous and creamy, sweetheart.As soon as I saw you, I knew I had to have you, and now, this is where we’re at.But it’s fine,” he says hurriedly.“Twenty million is nothing to me, and the pre-nup was never going to hold up anyways.Besides, we’re expecting a child now,” he says in a forceful voice.“You’re going to be a wonderful mommy, I’m going to be the best father I can, and we’re going to be a happy family.”
I stand up then, unable to breathe.
“Youplannedthis,” I hiss, grabbing my purse.“I was just a pawn in your revenge scheme against my mom.”
“Initially, yes,” Brad acknowledges in a careful tone.“That’s how it started, but you’re much more to me now, Minnie.I love you, sweetheart, and I want us to be a family together.The baby changes everything.”
I can’t speak.I can’t express to him how my heart is breaking because ItrustedBrad.I gave my whole soul to him, and yet, this is how I’ve been treated: as nothing but a disposable womb in his ugly, nasty divorce.Without another word, I run from the house and scramble into my car before screeching out of the driveway.Where will I go?What will I do?All I know is that Brad Landry has betrayed me...and my heart breaks when the sobs finally come.
11
MINNIE
“So what happens now?”Juliette asks in a hesitant voice.“That’s an insane story.I mean, your mom basically bartered you for cash.”
“I know,” I say in a wooden tone.“Not only that, but I’m preggo.I’m expecting Brad’s child, and hebetrayedme.He literally called my doctor to trick me into thinking we were using contraception.But this whole time, I’ve been fertile.”
“Yeah, thatiscrazy,” Juliette murmurs, her hazel eyes wide with empathy.“You’ve been having unprotected sex with your stepdad.Holy shit.I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever had unprotected sex in my life.”
I turn to her.
“Really?Never?Not even by accident?”
Juliette goes red as she flushes a little.
“Maybe by accident once,” she concedes.“But you know I’m seeing Harry, and it just never comes to that.We’re very careful.”
“Oh right, how is Harry, by the way?”I ask.“I haven’t seen him in ages.”
