Page 66 of Pregnant and Stolen by the Tycoon

Her algorithm? Their marriage?Their baby?

As the vice around her heart tightened, Genie registered that she wasn’t even upset that Seve had procured the algorithm as a stepping stone to gain political power. She knew first-hand that her algorithm would do good.

But he’d deliberately kept her in the dark about his end goal—usurping power from his uncle. Using her as part of his plan to take his ultimate revenge. While she’d been gleefully basking in happy ever afters and love and family, he’d been scheming on how to turn the accidental pregnancy of his one-night stand into political gain.

Everything had been one giant ploy orchestrated by Seve to get her onside.

Her vision went ashen.

Sofia made a distressed sound and pressed a glass of water into her shaky hand. When she pushed it away, shaking her head, dizziness washed over her.

Then a wave of darkness swept it all away.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

‘THISWASN’TWHATwe agreed.’

Seve had said that a few times and was well aware he was repeating himself. Could he blame the euphoric catharsis of finally confronting his uncle and driving the old man out of his life as an excuse for being swept into a hasty decision? One he’d made without consulting the most important person in his life?

‘We needed to seize the momentum. Strike while the iron was hot.’

Alessio quirked an eyebrow at Alfredo Santiago from across the room. ‘Any more idioms up your sleeve you wish to toss in, old man?’

Seve glared at his friend, then transferred his gaze to the minister who’d orchestrated the press conference without Seve’s approval.

‘That wasn’t how I planned on doing things, Santiago.’

Santiago managed to look contrite for a moment. But he perked up a moment later.‘Sí, el presidente.’

‘Don’t call me that.’

Santiago snorted, contrition replaced by ebullience. ‘Did you not hear them out there? They’re ecstatic. The polls are on fire for you and the stock markets are already trending upwards. This is the best news our country has had in decades. Why aren’t you celebrating?’

One word came to mind.

Genie.

He’d gone about this all wrong. While others were to blame for jumping the gun a little, he’d taken the familiar route of playing his cards close to his chest when the very person who was responsible for him finally taking the right action was kept in the dark.

This life he was leading wasn’t about him any more. He’d known that in the weeks he’d spent on tenterhooks waiting for Genie to accept his proposal. In the visceral soul-connection he’d felt with her since he brought her to Cardosia.

I should’ve told her many more things. Like I love her.

Something shook to vicious life in him.

There it was. The final puzzle piece he’d been looking for since he could remember. The one thing that made utter and complete sense. The one thing his billions couldn’t buy.

He strode from his desk to wide windows in the minister’s office. Behind him puzzled silence reigned.

They didn’t know. They probably never would if they weren’t as lucky as him.

But had he gambled with that luck with his actions? A strain of terror so debilitating gripped him he had trouble digging for his phone.

‘Señor?’

‘It’s time to leave, gentlemen,’ Alessio said. ‘The circus is over for now. Give the man some space.’

‘But—’

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