She let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “How very generous of you.”
He didn't react.
“It will be private,” he added. “Everything will be under control.”
Control.
Everything with him was about control.
Her fingers curled against the edge of the table. She stood up so fast the chair scraped against the marble.
“You can’t tell me how and when I can have a child. You don't own my body!”
His eyes didn't move from hers.
“The contract gives me that authority.”
The air left her lungs.
He hadn't shouted it or said it like a threat. He had said it like a fact, and that was what made it hurt more than anything else he could have done.
She knew he was right and that the contract did include a clause allowing him to dictate the terms for when she could conceive.
She made herself stand straight.
“Then enforce the contract breach,” she said.
The emerald fish pendant rested cool against the base of her throat. She had thought it meant something between them. Now she knew better.
She pulled it off in one sharp movement. The chain snapped against her skin. She threw it across the table. It slid over the polished wood and stopped near his untouched teacup.
He didn't reach for it. He didn't even look at it.
“If you want to destroy me for revenge,” she said, her voice shaking now, no matter how hard she tried to hold it, “do it properly.”
“I don't care if you ruin my reputation,” she said. “My finances. My name. Do whatever you want with all of it.”
Her voice shook despite everything she did to hold it steady.
“But you will not get to decide whose child grows inside me.”
He rose from his chair slowly, every movement controlled.
“You will not leave this palace,” he said.
Her pulse pounded at his low command. But she didn't step back.
“Watch me,” she said.
For a fraction of a second, something moved behind his eyes.
But he said nothing.
She turned and walked toward the doors.
They opened before she reached them.
The staff outside straightened, startled by how fast she was moving. They were probably shocked by the anger and tears that ran down her cheeks.
