“What the fuck were you doing in my office? I made it clear that you would not interfere in my affairs, and I wouldn’t interfere in yours. So what the hell were you snooping around in my office for?”
“Don’t you dare turn this around on me, you manipulative scum of a man! You don’t care about anyone except yourself.”
“Yes, it’s true. So why the fuck are you acting like I put a gun to your head to sign the contract? You wanted something, I gave you what you wanted. I wanted something, and you’re yet to give me a fucking heir. And now you’re here calling me scum?”
I feel a surge of anger boiling within me, but I force myself to stay calm.
“You think this is just about signing a contract? You think this is just about an heir?”
My voice shakes with the effort to control my emotions.
“This isn’t about what we agreed to. This is about how you twisted everything, how you used me to get what you wanted.”
Logan’s face hardens, with a cold expression.
“You knew what you were getting into, Nadine. Don’t act like you were some innocent bystander.”
“Innocent bystander?” I scoff, shaking my head.
“You’re right-I’m not innocent. But I didn’t expect you to be so heartless, so ruthless. You took advantage of my situation, my desperation. You played on my emotions, and now you’re blaming me for not living up to your expectations?”
I am dumbfounded hearing this nonsense coming out of his pretty mouth. My stomach tightens painfully, and I instinctively hold it, trying to steady myself.
This is the second time. Logan notices my discomfort and rushes to my side.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice genuinely worried.
I nod, too exhausted to speak. I’ve been stressed out of my mind.
Damn this pregnancy, it’s trying to give me away. I can’t let him know. I’ll pretend I’m fine, no matter how hard it is.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to push through the pain and keep up the facade.
Logan is still watching me closely.
“Nadine, if something’s wrong, you need to tell me,” he insists, his voice softening.
I force a smile, shaking my head.
“I’m fine, Logan. Just tired, that’s all.” The lie feels heavy on my tongue, but I can’t afford the truth right now.
He doesn’t look convinced, but he steps back, giving me some space. “You should rest,” he says, his tone less aggressive than before.
Rest? How can I rest with everything that’s happening? I regain my composure, I look at him.
“I thought I was beginning to feel something for you, thinking you’d be different from Jake who hurt me. But it turns out you’re the worst of them all.”
I see a mixture of emotions cross his face, but he quickly masks it. He’s not the type to show feelings.
“Why did you toy with my life like it was nothing? I thought I was starting to trust you. Damn it, I let my guard down. I wish I never did.”
“And the worst part is you bringing Samantha into the picture. I’ve endured so much humiliation from you that I don’t even know what’s acceptable anymore.”
“I’ve been nothing but a pawn in your game.”
I take a deep breath, finding the strength to stand my ground.
“I want out of this whole thing. I want to end the contract that exists between us,” I declare, waiting for his response, bracing myself for whatever comes next.
Logan’s expression hardens as he processes my words. The room is thick with tension, and for a moment, I think he might lash out. But instead, he just stares at me, his eyes cold and calculating.
“You want out?” he finally says, his voice low and dangerous. “You think you can just walk away from this?”
“I’m not asking, Logan. I’m telling you,” I reply, despite the fear gnawing at my insides.
“I’m done with your games, your lies, and your manipulations. I’m done with you.”
His jaw tightens, and I can see the anger boiling beneath the surface. “You don’t get to make that decision, Nadine. You signed the contract, and you’ll see it through.”
“I won’t be your puppet anymore, I don’t care about the contract. I want my life back.”
Logan steps closer, his presence overwhelming, but I refuse to back down.
“You think you’re strong enough to take me on, to defy me?” he sneers. “You’re way over your head, Nadine.”
“Not under my watch will you sever the agreement that binds us. I made the contract, and you signed it. You will see it through to the end.”
“Because, as far as I know, I have kept my whole part of the bargain by taking full responsibility for your mother’s treatment,” he continues, stepping even closer to me.
“And the last time I checked, she was perfectly fine and will be discharged anytime soon.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” he growls, his face inches from mine. “You belong to me, and you’ll do as I say.”
I wrench my arm free, my resolve hardening.
“I belong to no one, Logan. Not anymore.”
“And lastly,” he continues, “don’t blame me for anything. I told you from the outset that there would be no falling in love.”
I have had enough, and I don’t want him to continue.
“Oh, shut up, Logan, and get out of my room. You disgust me. I can’t stand to be near someone like you. Just go.”
He stands up and moves away from me.
“Fine, I’ll go. But I’m giving you one last warning: don’t dare enter my office again. It’s out of bounds.”
I am livid as I stand up and open the door wide for him.
“Get out and let’s go back to being strangers again. I hate your guts. The fact that you lied about being responsible for Nathalie and it turned out to be a lie-”
He moves into the living room, and I follow him, continuing to pour out my anger.
He stops and turns to face me. “Can you please stop this madness?”
“I won’t stop, Logan. I will let the whole world know who you are-a scheming, manipulative maniac. Gosh, how did I end up with you?” I say as I keep following him.
“I hate you. I hate your guts. I can’t stand you. You disgust me.”
“Watch your mouth around me, Nadine,” he warns.
“No, I will not,” I say as I notice Samantha lurking around, watching me shout like a deranged woman.
“I think I will just leave you to continue with your madness,” he says, opening the door to step out.
As Logan steps out, Samantha approaches cautiously. Her eyes darted between me and the door as if trying to gauge the situation.
I am startled when I hear a gunshot. I hide as quickly as I can because the sound is so loud and clear as if it’s close by.
I crouch behind a nearby piece of furniture, my heart pounding in my chest. The noise reverberates through the room, leaving me paralyzed with fear.
I hear another shot, followed by a large thud as something falls to the ground.
The noise startles me, and I freeze in place, my heart racing.
I try to steady my breathing, listening for any more sounds or movements that might give me a clue about what’s happening outside.
I wait in silence, hoping for some indication that it’s safe to emerge.
When I look and realize that Logan is on the floor, struggling for his life, my breath catches in my throat.
The sight is horrifying. I want to move, to do something, but I am paralyzed with fear.
Then it hits me-Logan has been shot.