Page 238 of Maddening Fixation

Romeo’s expression barely changed. “But mine cannot.”

The calmness of his response made me want to scream.

“Four months have already passed,” he said. “You have one year and six months remaining on this marriage. After that, you’re free to leave. Until then, you remain my wife.”

His gaze held mine, firm and unyielding.

“Now sit down. You need to rest.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “I need rest?”

My voice cracked.

“You left me bleeding on the floor.”

His jaw tightened slightly. “You were not dying.”

The words felt like another wound.

Before I could answer, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” Romeo called.

A woman in a lab coat entered.

The moment she saw me standing, her expression changed.

“Ma’am...”

She hurried toward me.

“You shouldn’t be standing. You need to rest.”

She reached out as if to guide me back to the bed.

I stepped away.

“I’m fine.”

The lie tasted bitter. “I can stand.”

The nurse looked at me with concern.

Not just concern.

Suspicion.

Her eyes flickered briefly toward Romeo before returning to me.

Then she leaned closer.

Lowering her voice, she whispered, “Does he know you’re pregnant?”

My chest tightened.

The nurse had discovered it while treating me. There was no way she could have missed it.

I shook my head quickly, lowering my gaze.