Vincent tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing.
The simple movement sent another wave of panic through her.
Alexa immediately shook her head.
"I was only joking," she blurted out hurriedly. "I casually mentioned it to her, but I wasn't serious. It was just a joke."
The nervous laugh that escaped her sounded hollow and broken.
"I think Juliet misunderstood me."
She leaned forward as much as the restraints allowed, her eyes pleading desperately with him.
"If you want, I can call her right now and explain everything. I'll tell her it was a misunderstanding."
Tears rolled continuously down her cheeks as she spoke.
"Please, Vincent. Don't do this. I'm really scared."
Her voice cracked again as she shifted in the chair, trying unsuccessfully to free herself.
"I was only joking. You know how I am. I joke around all the time. It wasn't serious."
The words poured out faster and faster as panic overtook her.
"Juliet always takes things too seriously. She misunderstood what I said and got angry. That's all it was. I didn't mean anything by it. Please believe me."
She swallowed hard, her throat tight with fear.
"I never said I was actually carrying your child."
Fresh tears blurred her vision.
"Please listen to me."
Her voice dropped to a desperate whisper as she looked up at him.
"I'm telling the truth."
But Vincent didn't spare Alexa another glance.
He turned his face away from her and rubbed his thumb slowly against his jaw, his expression dark and stormy. The anger simmering beneath the surface was so obvious that everyone in the room could feel it. His jaw remained tightly clenched, and the muscle there twitched every few seconds, making it clear that whatever patience he had left was rapidly disappearing.
Without saying a word, he lifted his eyes toward the bodyguards standing outside the door and gave a slight tilt of his head in Alexa's direction.
The guards immediately understood.
They stepped into the room without hesitation.
The moment Alexa realized what was happening, panic flooded her face.
"No!"
She struggled violently in her chair, tears spilling down her cheeks as one of the guards crouched beside her and untied the restraints around her wrists.
"Vincent, please!"
The ropes had barely fallen away before the guards grabbed her by the arms and pulled her to her feet.
