Chapter 211

Andrew Lucas halted mid-step, brows furrowing. "Speak."

Guilt still gnawed at him regarding Nicole Capra. Compensation after their breakup was inevitable. Had she asked, he'd have given her everything.

"Andy..." Nicole's voice trembled, tears glistening. "Give me a child."

Her fingers whitened around his sleeve. "I'll never love anyone else. Without you... at least let me have this reminder."

"A child would keep me company... so I won't die alone." She lifted tear-streaked eyes. "I swear I'll leave after the birth, never disturbing you or Susan again."

"For the kidney I gave you..." She suddenly knelt. "Grant me this last warmth."

Andrew's pupils contracted violently.

He bent to lift her, but sidestepped when she lunged into his arms.

"Nicole, don't." His voice turned arctic. "Name any other price."

"But I only want your child!" Nicole tore at her collar hysterically. "Just once... Andy..."

Andrew seized her wrist with bruising force.

"Enough." He flung her hand away, gaze sharp as shattered glass. "My debt ends here."

"Susan is my only eternity."

His retreating footsteps echoed with finality.

Nicole crumpled, mascara bleeding into grotesque streaks. Trembling fingers dialed a memorized number.

"Henry..." Her voice rasped like sandpaper. "He rejected me..."

Glass shattered on the other end.

"Don't cry, Nicole!" Henry's voice strained. "Andrew's blind! I'll—"

"Silence!" Nicole's shriek cut him off. "Who permitted you to slander him?"

She wiped her face, eyes glinting dangerously. "Daniel Almond's parentage leaked... They did a DNA test."

"What?!" Henry gasped. "Then we—"

"Panic later." Nicole's laugh chilled. "He knows nothing about the kidnapping. The priority is that video—how much longer must you delay?"

"My brother's watching me..." Henry whined. "Last time he nearly broke my leg—"

"Useless!" Nicole's nails drew blood from her palms.

She suddenly lowered her voice. "Meet at the usual place tonight. As for Susan..." Her crimson lips twisted. "I'll make her beg for death."

The call ended. Nicole studied her reflection's grotesque mask, smiling slowly.

Meanwhile, Susan Thompson had just finished filming.

The deserted bus stop swallowed her in midnight silence. She hugged her coat tighter, breath fogging under streetlights.

At the apartment gates, a familiar silhouette froze her in place.

A smoke-gray down jacket fluttered in the icy wind. The figure turned, removing a face mask—

"Bella?!"