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Esther kept rambling, pleading. “Just give me a chance. I’ll give you more babies—just be with me—”

But he cut her off, his voice now full of venom. “Who the hell did you say is pregnant?”

Esther growled, her voice dripping with resentment. “Don’t play dumb. I saw her. She was in the hospital talking to the doctor about being pregnant.”

Across the city, inside the Velare Hotels’ CEO office, Lorenzo sat frozen in his chair. The quiet hum of the city outside didn’t reach him. His grip on the pen trembled, the metal tip tapping repeatedly against the desk, his jaw locked tight.

“Pregnant? I haven’t even touched her. How the hell could she be pregnant?”

“Lorenzo? Lorenzo?” Esther’s voice was still coming through the phone.

But he didn’t answer.

He hung up.

Then suddenly—he snapped.

With a furious roar, he slammed his hand on the desk, sweeping everything off it with one swift, violent motion. Papers, pens, his phone—everything crashed to the floor.

His breathing was ragged, his chest heaving.

He stormed out of the office.

***

An hour later, the doorbell at Krystal’s apartment rang over and over. Annoyed, she yanked it open.

“What the hell do you—” She froze. “Lorenzo?”

Chapter 20 Pregnancy

Her heart jumped.

“What are you doing here?” she asked sharply.

‘I knew it was a bad idea giving him my address. Now he thinks he can just drop by whenever he wants?’ she thought, frustrated.

Without answering, Lorenzo grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside, slamming the door behind him. He didn’t let go of her. He dragged her into the living room and didn’t let go, then pulled her hard, her body crashing against his chest. His hand shot out, gripping her face and lifting it up to meet his eyes.

His voice came low and thunderous. “We’re not even divorced, Krystal. And you’re pregnant? With someone else’s child?” His eyes burned into her. “What the hell do you take me for?”

Krystal stared at him, stunned. ‘How the hell did this Cactus find out already? It hasn’t even been an hour since my hospital visit.’

She yanked her face, trying to break free. Her heartbeat quickened. ‘I’m obviously not pregnant. But he actually believed it. Whatever. Why should I explain myself to him? Isn’t he obsessed with Esther anyway?’

She turned her sharp eyes on him, twisting her body to break free from his grip. But the damn man wouldn’t let go.

"It doesn’t matter to you!" she snapped

Lorenzo’s jaw flexed as finally released her and looked around the room. His gaze landed on a paper lying open on the table. He snatched it and unfolded it quickly.

Her name was right there—Krystal Vale—on the pregnancy report, and a date was already set for the abortion.

His entire body tensed. His jaw clenched. He was seething—raging. She had never seen him this angry.

“Who’s the father?” he asked through gritted teeth, barely able to contain himself.

Krystal’s voice was calm but low, her patience thinning. “I told you, it doesn’t matter to you. I’m not asking anyone to be responsible for the child.”