"You're locking me up, Simon?!" My voice cracked, pure rage.

His eyes went cold. "Don't blame me. You did this to yourself."

The basement was freezing, damp, lit by one sad little bulb.

Simon stood in the doorway, shadowed and unreadable.

"You're staying here till the trial," he said, all ice.

The second he finished, his guys shoved me in.

I slammed into the wall—pain shot through my shoulder.

"Ugh—"

I winced, biting back the sound, glaring up at him.

Simon paused, then muttered for them to untie me.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a necklace, glittering with diamonds.

"Heidi..." His voice tried for soft. "I had this made for you. Think of it as... goodwill."

He held it out, the gems catching the dim light, all sharp edges and fake promises.

I didn't budge. Just stared him down.

"What, trying to bribe me now? Afraid I'll run?"

His smile cracked. He sighed. "I still have feelings for you."

I laughed, short and sharp. "This how you show love? Framing me for your side chick and tossing me in a basement?"

He tensed, about to speak—then Nancy's voice rang out from the stairs.

She rushed down and snatched the box like it was hers. "Ooh, what a gorgeous necklace! Simon, is this for me?"

Simon blinked. "Nancy, that's for—"

"I don't care. I want it!" She clipped it on, pouting. "Heidi's heading to jail. No point wasting something this pretty on her."

Simon glanced between us, then gave Nancy a soft smile. "Alright. If you like it, it's yours."

But Nancy wasn't done.

She yanked off her old, crusty chain and held it out to me with a smirk. "Well, if she's losing her gift, she should get something back. This can be Heidi's necklace."

Simon brushed past her spite and turned to me. "See how thoughtful Nancy is? I really think you two could get along."

I looked at that sad little chain and let out a sharp laugh.

Simon kept talking. "And since Nancy's pregnant and you..." He paused. "The doctors said you probably can't have kids. So I've decided to end our engagement. I'm marrying Nancy."

I'd braced for it, but it still cut deep.

"But don't worry," he rushed in, like that made it better. "I'm not heartless. Once you're out, I'll set you up with a place and a job. After all, we did—"

I laughed, cold and bitter. "You really think I'd believe a word you say?"

Nancy clung to his arm, smug. "Heidi, don't be so dramatic. Simon's being nice. What guy would want a woman who can't have kids?"

I clenched my fists, nails digging in till it hurt.

Good. The pain kept me sharp. Kept me from snapping.

This wasn't the moment to fight back—yet.

Late that night, the basement door creaked open.

I looked up, frowning.

Nancy strutted in, heels clicking, smirk locked in.

"Tsk tsk, I envy women like you," she said, swaying in. "Infertile and still so chill. I, on the other hand, need velvet sheets just to sleep."

"Get out."

She just smiled wider, hand brushing over her stomach.

"You know," she said casually, "your infertility wasn't your body's fault."

My stomach dropped. "What are you talking about?"

"Simon's been lacing your food with birth control for years. Enough to make it permanent."

She leaned in, voice low and poisonous. "It was all part of the plan. Once you couldn't get pregnant, he could toss you aside guilt-free—and marry me."

That's why it never happened.

White-hot rage surged through me. I jumped to my feet and slapped her—hard.

"You two are disgusting."

Nancy stumbled back—then let out this weird, fake laugh.

Next thing I knew, she threw herself to the ground and screamed like she was being murdered. "Ahh! Heidi, what are you doing?!"

The basement door slammed open. Simon stormed in with a crew of guys.

"Nancy!"

He ran to her, saw the red mark on her cheek—and his whole face twisted with rage.

"Heidi! What did you do?!"

Nancy clung to him, bawling like a soap opera star. "Simon, she tried to kill our baby!"

"You're lying!" I yelled. "You threw yourself down!"

Simon didn't even flinch. His eyes were ice.

"Restrain her."

They grabbed me, slammed me into the wall, tied my hands tight.

"Simon, you bastard!" I fought against the ropes. "You drugged me! You made sure I couldn't get pregnant!"

His face twitched for a second—then went flat. "So what if I did? You were never good enough to carry my kid."

He walked over, grabbed a leather whip from the wall.

"If you ever touch Nancy again, you'll regret it."

Crack!

"Ahh—!"

The first hit tore down my back. Fire exploded in my skin.

"That one's for Nancy!"

Crack!

"And this is for our baby!"

The whip kept falling. I blacked out, woke up soaked in freezing water, only to get hit again.

By the ninety-ninth lash, I was a bloody mess on the floor, barely breathing.

Simon dropped the bloodied whip like it was nothing. "Take her to court. She's confessing today."

They dragged me out, tossed me into a car.

Every lash screamed against the rough seat. I nearly passed out.

By the time we hit the courthouse, the sun was up.

Simon had pulled strings—moved the trial ahead.

The second I was dragged inside, his lawyer jumped up. "Your Honor, my client pleads guilty. We request immediate sentencing."

The judge opened his mouth—then the courtroom doors slammed open.

Everyone turned.

Clark Johnston walked in, flanked by lawyers and medics.

Sharp suit. Stone face. But when he looked at me, something in his eyes broke.

"As the plaintiff, I'm dropping all charges," he said. "And I demand immediate medical care for my fiancée, Heidi Wynn."