Chapter 82

“I told you, I’m leaving,” I repeat, more firmly this time, and start heading for the door. Scarlett moves quickly, grabbing my arm.

“Wait, Ana, please don’t go like this.” Her voice is drenched in sweetness, but I can see right through it. She’s trying to keep me here, but I won’t give her the satisfaction.

I pull my arm free and take a deep breath, my patience wearing thin. “I need to rest,” I say again, this time with more finality. My heart races, not just from the confrontation but from the growing need to avoid Maxwell. I can’t let him see me like this. I don’t want him to know about the baby—not now, not ever.

Scarlett smiles, but it’s laced with something cruel. “Are you sure you want to leave before your brother’s big day? You wouldn’t want to miss the wedding, would you?”

I narrow my eyes at her. She knows exactly what she’s doing, pushing all the right buttons to make me stay. But I can’t, not when every second here is like a ticking time bomb. If Maxwell sees me, if he rea