Chapter 26

Susan gasped in pain as Henry Bartley smirked cruelly. He leaned in, his bloodstained lips nearly brushing her cheek.

"Get away!"

Her stomach churned. No one disgusted her more than Henry.

As she raised her right hand, he viciously grabbed her injured left. White-hot agony shot through her severed finger, sapping her strength.

"Hurts?" Henry relished her pained expression. "I love seeing you like this."

Blood seeped through her glove as he tightened his grip.

"Monster!"

Susan trembled from head to toe, her fingertips shaking.

"Quite the scene, Mr. Bartley."

A cold voice cut through the tension. Susan's heart lurched—Andrew Lucas stood there.

Henry lazily draped an arm around her. "Looking for fun, Mr. Lucas? I've had her many times. Tastes sweet. Want a try?"

"Andrew..." Nicole Capra clung to his sleeve, her thick makeup failing to hide swollen cheeks.

"Filthy." Andrew's gaze turned glacial. "I'd rather not."

Nicole simpered, "She has her reasons..."

Susan clapped a hand over her mouth. The hypocrisy made her nauseous.

"Sister," Nicole cooed, grabbing her hand, "stop ruining yourself—"

"Hah!"

Susan's laugh was razor-sharp.

"Nicole, your act makes me sick!" She spun toward a trash can, retching. "Stop playing the innocent!"

Nicole paled, turning tearful eyes to Andrew.

"You'll always be pure to me." He pulled her close.

Pure? Susan's stomach heaved. If only he knew Nicole's dirty secrets with Henry.

Henry seized Susan's waist. "Don't be mad, darling. Let's make that baby. Once you're pregnant, I'll marry you and bring Daniel home!"

"Shut up!" Susan's eyes burned. Andrew already doubted Daniel's parentage—this was fuel to the fire.

Andrew's lips curled in scorn.

"Want a front-row show, Mr. Lucas?" Henry planted a sloppy kiss on Susan's cheek.

Andrew's fists cracked, but Nicole tugged him away.

As Susan struggled free, Henry dragged her into a private room and threw her down. Pain blurred her vision—she thought it was over.

Then his phone rang. After answering, Henry bolted without a backward glance.

Susan curled on the floor, sweat-drenched from dual agony in her finger and gut. Thirty minutes passed before she could rise.

Pushing open the reserved room's door, she froze.

Andrew stood there, his stormy eyes boring into her.