Chapter 6

The second the door clicked shut, Haden kicked the glass coffee table as hard as he could.

The table flew across the room, shattering against the wall. Glass shards and the fake ultrasound photo scattered all over the floor.

Haden stalked toward the desk. His eyes were red, the veins in his neck bulging.

Ember saw the danger. She reached under the desk and hit the panic button for security.

Haden was faster. He swept the sleek wireless handset off the desk, smashing it against the wall. The plastic casing cracked.

He reached across the desk. His hands grabbed the lapels of her suit jacket. He hauled her out of the leather chair like she weighed nothing.

"How dare you!" he roared, his spit flying in her face. "How dare you trade me like a piece of garbage!"

Ember didn't struggle. She went limp in his grip, her face cold. "It's the best option to protect the family assets."

The word "family" was the final spark. Haden's brain completely short-circuited.

He bent down and shoved his shoulder into her stomach. He lifted her up, throwing her over his shoulder like a sack of flour.

Ember gasped as the air was knocked out of her. She pounded her fists against his back, her legs kicking wildly. One of her heels flew off and landed on the rug.

Haden ignored her. He carried her toward the back of the office, toward the private elevator.

He hit the button. The doors opened. He stepped inside and pressed the button for the penthouse floor.

The elevator shot upward. Ember braced herself against the wall, trying to catch her breath.

The doors opened into Haden's private duplex apartment. He walked straight through the living room.

He kicked the master bedroom door open. The door slammed against the wall, leaving a dent in the drywall.

He threw Ember onto the massive king-size bed. She bounced once on the mattress and immediately scrambled toward the edge.

Haden grabbed her ankle. His grip was bruising. He yanked her back, dragging her across the sheets until she was under him.

He pinned her down. His knee pressed heavily against her thighs, stopping her from moving. His hands clamped down on her wrists, holding them above her head.

He was breathing like a freight train. "You couldn't wait to get rid of me, could you?" he snarled. "You couldn't wait to sell me off."

Ember turned her head to the side. She refused to answer. She refused to look at him.

Her silence drove him insane. The jealousy ate through his veins like acid.

He let go of her wrist with one hand. He grabbed the collar of her silk blouse.

The sound of tearing fabric ripped through the quiet room. The expensive silk shredded like paper in his grip.

Ember gasped as the cold air hit her bare skin. Her chest heaved, her white lace bra exposed.

Haden's eyes dropped to her stomach. It was flat. Toned. The sight made his blood boil.

"Did you give him a child?" he asked, his voice cracking. He looked sick. "Did you carry Efford's bastard?"

His rough hand slapped down onto her bare stomach. The heat of his palm burned against her skin.

Ember flinched. A wave of nausea and grief washed over her. Tears pricked the back of her eyes, threatening to spill.

She bit down on her lip until she tasted blood. She looked up at the man holding her down, her eyes filled with pure, unfiltered hatred.