Why was he so exasperated to learn this? Because all of this was supposed to belong to him!

Brendan let go of Deirdre at the height of his rage. She thought this meant she could breathe a sigh of relief, but a new force simply knocked her off her footing, causing her to lie on the desk.

She felt his body pressing against hers and then felt his labored breathing.

A chill crawled up her spine. She knew what was about to happen. “No, Brendan! No!” she yelled, struggling.

He acted as though he could not hear her. He grabbed her arms and pinned them to the side, sneering, “Why? Isn’t this the point of your existence? Why else do you think I let you live by my side? And you think you’ll get to live with Sterling one day—ha! Fat f*cking chance!”

His free hand gripped her neck, his eyes wild with frosty rage. He pushed her down on the desk with his weight and did not care one bit about her struggle, protests, or reluctance.

Charlene listened from outside his study. As she clenched her