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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Mya

After the doctor left, it was as if all the emotions I had tried to keep in check decided to gather in one place and release themselves all at one time.

On any given day I went from feeling guilt and disgust at being married and pregnant by Dario to fearing for my life and that of the baby.

Dario’s world was cruel, dark, and bloody. What type of mother would let her child be born into that type of existence?

Feeling like a failure, I had fallen into a deep depression, as if everything was happening around me rather than to me.

My emotions felt like they were in a heightened state. I found myself withdrawing completely, scared that at any moment, I would burst into tears or scream at someone.

For this reason, I retreated, staying away from Dario, not sure how he would react to my fickle range of emotions.

I wasn’t afraid of him. I was just afraid of what he could do. He already controlled every facet of my life.

He kept me prisoner in a palace, for goodness’ sake, and didn’t let me leave unless I was accompanied by him or one of his many men.

But the more I kept my feelings at bay, the more I denied all the emotions I felt, the worse I felt. It had gotten to the point where I could barely eat and sleep.

This stress, I knew, was terrible for the baby. I couldn’t tell Dario how I felt, but I could confront him about the computer files, even if I didn’t know what was in them. I needed some sort of leverage.

I had learned, unfortunately, that as his wife, I couldn’t testify against him if I saw him commit a crime, so that left me with just one option.

I knew what I had to do, and then I would be free, far away from him. I could then focus on being healthy and sane for myself and my unborn child.

I didn’t think I could do that with him hovering over me. I needed more leverage. I needed him to know what I’d done. I needed to know what was in those files.

He seemed tense when I returned from the restroom. His mouth was fixed in an angry line and as I approached, he looked at me differently.

Although there had never been any tenderness in his gaze before, he looked at me now as if he didn’t recognize me.

His eyes were cold, guarded. In fact, as I sat myself down in the booth across from him, his body language seemed to scream at me to stay back.

What had changed? I’d only been gone a few minutes.

“Is something wrong?”

He spread his hands out and said, “You tell me.”

I stared at him, not sure what to say and he stared back at me. Now was the time, before I lost my nerve.

I reached into my purse and pulled out the thumb drive. I pushed it toward him, and he stared down at it, looked at me suspiciously, and then took it.

“What’s this?”

“A backup of all the files on your computer. Including the encrypted ones. What’s on it, Dario?”

I watched him closely, his expression never changing as he digested what I’d said.

“So, you have been sneaking around. Are you spying on me?”

“Sucks, doesn’t it?”

He almost smiled.

“Now, answer the question.”

“What if I told you that this little thing contains all the evidence you need to destroy my empire? What would you do with it, Mya?”

My heart beat hard in my chest. So, I did have the leverage I needed. Was I strong enough to do with it what needed to be done?

Could I take down Dario? Could I take down the father of my child?

I swallowed hard, angry with myself that I was conflicted, yet angrier that I couldn’t make a decision that wouldn’t completely mess up my future.

I was fucked no matter what I did.

“Or what if I told you that the information you have on that file doesn’t just implicate me, but also someone close to Jason? What would you do then?”

Jason. I didn’t understand. He was bluffing, trying to confuse me. What did he know about Jason? Nothing.

He was making me doubt myself. He was manipulating me and the situation. I had to be strong.

“You’re lying.”

“I have no reason to lie.”

I stared at him. He was telling the truth. He might have been a controlling asshole, but he had never lied to me. At least, that’s what I thought.

“Tell me what’s on there.”

“I already told you. Now the ball’s in your court. Are you going to try to get me put away or are you going to try to figure out how exactly Jason died?”

“Nico killed Jason.”

“True.”

“Stop your games.”

My voice shook, and my eyes welled with tears. What did he know that he wasn’t telling me?