Page 140 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

I grip the edge of my desk until my knuckles turn white.

“You used me. You pretended to be my friend.”

Eva lets out a brittle, biting laugh that cuts through me sharper than any words could.

“You let yourself be used. You were so desperate to crawl your way back up, you didn’t even care whose shoulders you were standing on.” She pauses, like she's savoring the final blow. “You think you’re different from them, Sophie? You’re just another pawn. Another mouthpiece.”

“I’mnothinglike them.”

“No?” Her voice dips, low and deadly. “Tell that to the baby you’re carrying while the world thinks you're just another poor, stupid girl he knocked up and left behind.”

The line goes dead before I can scream back.

I sit there, staring at my reflection in the black mirror of my dead phone screen, my fury and heartbreak clawing so hard at my chest I’m not sure if it’s anger or if I’m about to shatter completely.

The door bangs open so hard it rattles on its hinges.

Denver storms in, his face a storm cloud.

“You’re pregnant?” His voice is sharp enough to cut.

I stiffen. My body goes rigid.

“Yes.”

His jaw clenches so tight the muscle ticks in his cheek.

“And you didn’t think to tell me?”

“I was going to…”

Denver runs a hand through his hair, pacing like a caged animal.

I flinch at the sharpness of his movements, my heart pounding against my chest.

“Jesus, Sophie. I just found out from an investor who read about it in a goddamn tabloid.” His voice rises with every word.

I sit there, swallowing back the knot in my throat. I can’t even defend myself.

“I should’ve seen this coming. I knew that son of a bitch was going to break your heart. I knew it.”

The words hit like another slap.

It’s not fair because it's not all Alessio’s fault.

But I don’t have the strength to fight for him, or for myself.

After a long, heavy silence, Denver scrubs a hand over his face and exhales hard. His voice softens, but the anger still simmers underneath.

“You’re taking an early leave. Effective immediately. I’ll handle the rest of the merger.”

I nod, numb.

There’s no fight left in me.

Only the hollow ache of everything slipping through my fingers.

I don’t remember driving home.

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