Each word was a blade in my throat. “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
Wrong for hoping for fairness.
Wrong for believing—foolishly—that maybe, just maybe, he’d choose me over her.
As I bent forward, the blood-soaked back of my collar showed.
Colin’s eyes flickered. For a split second, he seemed stunned.
“Is this enough for you?” I straightened with every last ounce of strength I had left–staring him down with disgust I couldn’t barely concealed.
His jaw tightened. He gestured to his assistant. “Bring the agreement.”
Only when I pressed my bloody fingerprint onto the page did his brow finally ease.
“You’re bleeding,” he said. “I’ll call a doctor.”
He let go of Piper and moved toward me.
I slapped his hand away.
“Save it. Go get your precious girl's injuries checked instead—if you wait any longer, the fake bruises might fade.”
I turned to leave, but Piper stuck out her foot.
I tripped hard, crashing forward.
Colin’s instincts kicked in. He reached out—but stopped himself just inches away.
His hand froze mid-air. Then he stepped back.
“Alright. Handle your wound yourself,” he said stiffly.
I forced myself to stand tall, even as pain shot up.