The doctor’s words kept replaying in Sebastian’s mind. The old man’s health was failing, and any day now, any minute, it could all be over. And when that happened, what if Reese actually followed through on her threat? What if she left him for good?
The thought made Sebastian’s eyes go icy cold. He couldn’t let her go. He wouldn’t let her divorce him. No way. Not ever.
He glared at her, voice sharp as glass. “You owe the Ratcliff family, Reese. You don’t get to walk away. You’re staying right here, for this family, for this child. That’s your way to make things right.”
Reese just stared at him, stunned, like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
After everything she’d done, all those years she’d given, he was putting it all on her. Like she was the villain. Like the whole surrogacy nightmare was something she’d chosen.
She lifted her chin, eyes blazing. “Sebastian, I told you already. We’re done.
“That pregnancy? I ended it. I never wanted it. I never wanted this marriage, either.
“You’re not tying me to the Ratcliff family anymore. We’re over. I’m leaving, whether you like it or not.”
Her words hit him like a punch to the chest.
Sebastian stepped closer, grabbed her wrist, hard enough that she winced.
He was desperate. Scrambling for something, anything, that would make her stay. But all that came out was a bitter, hollow laugh.
“You want a divorce? Go ahead, Reese. Try it. I’ll get the best lawyers in town. Walk out on me, and you’ll leave with nothing. Not a penny.”
Then, just as quickly, his voice softened. He tried to pull her closer, tried to sound gentle.
“Think about it, Reese. After everything we’ve built together, do you really want to walk away with nothing?
“Stay with me. My money, my house, everything I have—you can get half of it.
“You’re an adult. You know how the world works. Weigh your options.”
He shot a look at Matthew, a challenge flickering in his eyes. “Matthew, you really think you and Reese will get anywhere? She’s my wife. She always will be. We’ll have more kids together. She’s never leaving me. Isn’t that right, Reese?”
He stared at her, his gaze so dark and intense it sent a chill down her spine. “You only want a divorce because you’re upset about the baby. You think you love Annie, but that’s just you trying to fill the hole.


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