Panic flickered across her face. She rushed to explain:
"Alex, don't overthink this. My father—he threatened to kill himself if I didn't give him an heir."
"You know how big my business has gotten. Someone has to inherit it eventually. But don't worry—once the baby's born, I'll send him abroad. He won't be anywhere near you."
Before I could respond, Kyle stepped forward, looking pitiful:
"Alex, I'm sorry. I… I didn't mean for this to happen. Ms. Gilbert had too much to drink that night, and then…"
"I apologize. I wronged you!"
He moved to bow, but Serena didn't give him the chance. She stood and pulled him into her arms.
"What are you apologizing for? None of this is your fault!"
"I'm the one who took your virginity and made you a father out of nowhere. If anyone should apologize, it's me!"
Every word was a knife twisting in my chest.
The wound in my body screamed. I couldn't hold back a groan, and only then did Serena notice my face—completely drained of color.
She was about to snap at someone when the ambulance arrived. She bent down to help me up. We hadn't taken a single step when—
Kyle let out a pained moan behind us.
Serena's hands released me instantly.
I slammed into the ground.