The Wrong Bride (The Windsors, #1)(103)

I put the tablet down and take a steadying breath. Not even in my wildest dreams did I think she’d be capable of this. It’s one thing for her to go after Ares, but to actively try and ruin my reputation when she knows how many of my modeling contracts depend on my public image?

“Where does it end, Hannah? Do you have any idea how damaging this is to my career? My business?”

She smiles at me. “It won’t end until you return everything you took from me. Even if Ares and I can’t make it work, I still won’t let you have anything that belongs to me.”

I bury my hands in my hair and inhale shakily. “He’s always been mine, from the very start. Even if he wasn’t, it’s me he loves. Then and now.”

She shakes her head. “I can fix that. I did it once before, didn’t I?”

I sink down to the floor, anxiety clawing at me. Yeah, she has done this before. The deception, the lies. Is this all that awaits me? She’s going to continue chipping away at everything I have, everything I am.

I try my hardest to breathe in, but my lungs are burning. Panic slowly starts to overwhelm me, and I give in to it.

“Cupcake!” Ares shouts. He kneels down beside me and wraps his arms around me as the first sob escapes my throat.

I throw my arms around his neck and fall apart. “I… I c-can’t do this, Ares. I can’t l-live like this. I can’t… I can’t keep doing this.”

He cups the back of my head and rubs my back. “You won’t have to. I’ll fix this, I swear it. I’ll fix it, baby.”

“You can’t.” My voice breaks. With a child between them, I’ll never escape her. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants, and I can’t withstand much more.





Chapter Sixty-Four





Raven





I’m barely thinking straight as I walk to our bedroom, tears streaming down my face and Ares on my heels.

“Baby,” Ares pleads. “Please. Please trust that I’ll fix this.”

I whirl around to face him. “How?” I shout. “How will you fix this, Ares? Articles about us are all over the internet. It isn’t as simple as suing just one single magazine, and even if we do, it’s too late!”

I walk into our wardrobe and yank my clothes off the hangers, my movements erratic.

“Raven,” Ares says, his voice breaking. “What are you doing, Cupcake? You can’t… don’t do this. I beg of you, don’t do this, Raven.”

I shake my head and grab my suitcase. “I’m not spending another moment in the same house as her. I’ve tried, Ares. For years, I’ve tried, sacrificing my damn soul to keep her happy in the process. I can’t take much more.”

He grabs my shoulders and holds onto me tightly, panic flashing through his eyes. “You’re insane if you think I’ll let you go.”

I shake my head. “I’m not giving you a choice, Ares. I can’t do this. I can’t spend the rest of my life being tormented by my own sister. I can’t deal with the constant snide remarks, the guilt trips, the manipulation, the lies.”

“Then I’ll make her leave, Raven. There’s nothing I won’t do to ensure your happiness.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and look into his eyes, my heart breaking. “You know your grandmother won’t let her leave. She wants Hannah safe and sound in the Windsor compound. She wants the two of you to figure out how to co-parent, and Grandma isn’t going to give up until you two resolve your issues. Hannah is carrying a Windsor baby, Ares. She’s pregnant with your child. I can’t… I just can’t do this.”

“What does that mean, my love?”

I take a step away. “I don’t know yet, Ares. I just… all I’m asking for is some time to think, nothing more. I can’t be around her right now. I can’t sit back and watch her attempt to destroy my life. Not again. I’m scared that if I stay, I’ll do or say something I’ll regret. I can’t bite my tongue right now, and the last thing I want to do is harm her health. What happens if I upset her right now, and she faints again? It’s your child that’d be at risk, Ares. I can’t have that on my conscience.”

I start to fill my suitcase, throwing things into it without thinking. The mere idea of being around Hannah right now makes my skin crawl. “Besides, I need to think about whether this is truly what I want. There’s no doubt in my mind that I love you, Ares.” I pause and turn to face him. “But let me give you a moment of honesty. I’m not sure our love can survive her. She tore us apart once, and we both know she won’t stop until she does it again. What kind of life is that? Your wife and the mother of your child fighting at every turn? What kind of environment would that create for your son or daughter? What about me? What toll will it take on me to constantly be fighting with my sister? To have her sabotage my marriage?”

Ares drops down to his knees in front of me and grabs my hands. “I know how hard it is, baby. I know I shouldn’t even be asking this of you, considering everything you’ve been through so far, everything you have yet to endure, but I’m not above begging. I can’t see a life without you, Raven. Please, stay. I’m begging you. Please, let’s find a way to get through this together.”