Played Dad, Lost Me

After that day, Quentin gradually left my life.

He was all-in with Rainee, only texting late at night with a half-hearted [how are you?].

I ignored him, so the messages stopped.

Then I hit three months.

Ran into Quentin's sister, Cecilia Palmer, at the hospital.

Cecilia looked stunned, then snatched my report like it burned her.

"You're cheating on Quentin? Pregnant with some random guy's baby?"

I blinked. "This baby's Quentin's. I didn't cheat."

She just laughed, sharp and cold. "Still lying? You look all sweet, but you're trash underneath. Got knocked up and now you're trying to scam your way into our family?"

Yeah, I knew she didn't like me.

But I didn't think she'd come at me like that.

No filter. Just pure hate.

A crowd started forming.

Whispers. Pointing.

I bit my lip till it bled, chest tight like I couldn't breathe.

Tried to leave. Over and over.

But Cecilia blocked me every time.

I finally snapped. "What do you want? I told you, this baby's Quentin's. Call him if you don't believe me."

She scoffed. "Cut the act. Rainee's the one having Quentin's baby. He's with her right now.

"You think if this kid was his, he'd leave you here alone? You cheated and got pregnant. Now get ready—our family doesn't let trash like you walk away clean."

She waved her hand.

Bodyguards showed up like it was all planned.

Heart pounding, I grabbed my phone.

Didn't even get to dial—

Smack.

Her slap lit my cheek on fire, my phone hit the floor.

She yanked my hair, eyes icy. "Still think Quentin's coming for you? Keep dreaming."

Next thing I knew, I was shoved into her car.

Headed straight for the Palmer estate.

***

Quentin and Rainee were chilling in the living room—he was feeding her cream soup like some doting husband. She looked smug, glowing.

I looked wrecked. Hair everywhere, blood at my lip, clothes wrinkled and stained.

Cecilia marched in, full-on triumphant. "Quentin, she cheated on you. Knocked up with someone else's kid. I caught her red-handed."

I lifted my head, lips pale, cheek still burning.

I thought he'd say something. Anything.

But he didn't even glance my way.

His voice was cold. "Lock her in the attic. No one opens that door unless I say so."