Chapter 16
Alyssa was momentarily stunned when Terrence agreed so quickly. Then, exhilaration swept over her.
She had expected that, given this was Terrence and Thea’s wedding day, it would take a great deal of persuasion to make him leave Thea for her, even with the child as her bargaining chip.
Yet, he agreed without hesitation, leaving all her rehearsed pleas useless. The realization sent her heart racing even faster.
Did this mean she now mattered more to Terrence than Thea? If so, how long until she claimed the title of his wife? And after all, she was carrying his only child. Alyssa’s eyes hardened with unwavering resolve. Even if Thea had married Terrence today, that didn’t mean she’d remain his wife for long.
Before Terrence arrived, Alyssa hurriedly changed into a silk nightgown, sprayed on his favorite perfume, and reclined on the couch, waiting with practiced ease. When he opened the door, he saw Alyssa stretched out on the couch in a slip dress. A cold glint sharpened his gaze. Her supposed stomachache was clearly just a ruse to lure him away from Thea.
She’d used similar tactics in the past, but he had only seen her as a pastime back then. As long as she stayed obedient and pleased him, he was willing to indulge her occasionally.
But Terrence would never let her scheme her way into Thea’s place in his life. In his heart, Thea would always be his one and only wife. And Alyssa wouldn’t escape punishment for what had happened to Thea.
Oblivious to the cold fury emanating from him, Alyssa remained lost in her fantasy of taking Thea’s place. When she saw Terrence, she slipped into her delicate act, touching her still–flat belly.
“Terrence, I know today is your wedding to Ms. Lundy, and I hate to intrude, but I haven’t been feeling well. Since this is your first child, I got scared that something might be wrong. I didn’t know who else to turn to.”
Terrence’s voice was icy. “What exactly feels off?”
Misreading his tone as concem, she stepped closer and slipped her arms around his neck, her warm breath brushing his ear. “Our baby missed you.”
Alyssa had always been unrestrained when it came to these matters. She knew Thea’s deafness meant she could never satisfy a man the way a woman should in bed. That was how Alyssa had secured Terrence’s attention. And tonight, with the added excitement of their wedding, she was certain he wouldn’t leave.
Hermind raced with plans to taunt Thea the next day, unaware of Terrence’s growing fury. She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. When he didn’t respond, she slowly guided it upward.
Just before his fingers could brush her chest, Terrence snatched his hand away and struck her across the face. “You have no right to touch me!”
The slap sent Alyssa sprawling to the floor, bright red fingerprints already forming on her cheek. She cupped her burning face, staring at Terrence in stunned silence.
She had followed him faithfully for a year, and he had never raised a hand to her until now. What had changed? And she was pregnant with his child. How could he be so heartless?
“Terrence! What did I do to deserve this? You never minded before!”
Her voice quivered, tears threatening to spill. But her tearful display did nothing to move Terrence. His expression stayed cold, his anger barely restrained. “How dare you bring Thea into this?”
