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Novel Catalog
Chapter 28
Veronica stumbled back, her head spinning from the sudden force Matthew had used to drag her into the room. Her body ached, and her chest tightened as the dizziness overtook her.
Matthew’s eyes were cold, his jaw clenched tightly as he locked the door behind them. “I warned you, Veronica,” he said, his voice heavy with barely contained anger. “I told you to stay away from Xavier. Now look at you—disregarding everything I said.”
Veronica pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her breath. As the dizziness subsided, her gaze lifted, and she smirked, though the bitterness in her expression was undeniable. “Hmph. Why should I listen to you, Matthew Kings? Are you my father, my guardian, or my husband? You said I wasn’t qualified… but what about you?” she shot back, her voice filled with defiance.
She had always kept her head down, her silence masking the fire that burned inside her, but now, with her emotions raw, she was no longer willing to be passive. Veronica jabbed a finger at his chest, fury blazing in her eyes. “You think because you’re rich and powerful, you can control my life? After everything you’ve done—getting me pregnant and then turning around to get engaged to Tiffany Larson—do you really think you’re in a position to tell me what to do?”
Her voice broke, her words becoming sharp, piercing. “Are you planning to let her be the child’s mother as soon as it’s born? Do you even see me as a person, Matthew?”
With every word, her anger grew, and before she could stop herself, tears welled up in her eyes. The dam finally broke. She pushed Matthew away with everything she had, but he only staggered back a few steps before regaining his balance. Veronica stood trembling, her emotions a tangled mess, but it didn’t stop her from voicing the one thing that had been eating at her heart.
“This is my child!” she cried, her voice rising in pitch. “It’s mine! You don’t get to decide what happens to my baby!”
For a moment, Matthew said nothing. He just watched her, the fire in her eyes stealing the words from his mouth. He had never seen her so upset, so full of rage. The tears that ran down her face only seemed to fuel her defiance, but at the same time, they made him feel something he couldn’t quite explain.
“Listen to me, Matthew Kings,” she said through clenched teeth, every word heavy with resolve. “Even if I die, I won’t let my child be used like this! Not for you, not for anyone!” Her finger pointed at him, and her words echoed in the room, a vow of defiance.
Matthew’s expression darkened, and he took a step closer, his gaze icy. “Do you think you’re in a position to make threats, Veronica? You really think you can control the situation? You’re just a pawn, and you can’t change that, no matter how hard you try.”
He narrowed his eyes, a sneer forming on his lips. “And don’t think just because you’re with Xavier now that you can talk to me like that. You’re nothing without me,” he added, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look him in the eyes.
Veronica could feel the anger rising again, but the words that followed from Matthew’s lips made her freeze.
“I did what you wanted. I investigated your parents’ accident. The file is in my office, and I’ll hand it over to you… if you move into the Kings Residence. Same goes for your father’s surgery.” His words were cold, calculating.
Veronica’s heart sank. It wasn’t just the offer; it was the way he said it, as if he were dangling it in front of her like a prize she had to earn. He had no concept of fairness. No empathy. No understanding of what it meant to truly care for someone.
With a trembling breath, she shut her eyes, the weight of his words pressing down on her. “Is this what fairness looks like?” she choked, barely able to get the words out.
Matthew didn’t answer. Instead, he released her chin and stroked her hair as if she were some pet, his fingers light against her skin, but his touch was nothing like care. It felt like control. His smile was faint, almost mocking.
“There’s no fairness in the adult world, Veronica,” he said, his voice smooth, as though he were teaching her some hard lesson. “Fairness doesn’t exist when you don’t have power. You’ll learn that soon enough.”
Veronica wanted to scream. She wanted to lash out and tell him that he didn’t understand, but the words caught in her throat. The tears streaming down her face were an endless river now, each one a mixture of anger, frustration, and helplessness.
She wiped her eyes, trying to regain her composure, but the words that escaped her lips were hollow, tinged with the sorrow that was slowly consuming her. “Yeah, in the adult world, there is no fairness. Only power speaks. And you’re right… I’m nothing without it.”
She had never felt more powerless in her life.
Matthew seemed pleased with her response, a victorious gleam in his eyes. With one swift movement, he pulled her toward him, his arm wrapping around her waist. “Now, you’re pregnant with my child. Whether you like it or not, you’ll have to bear with it. And no matter how much you love Xavier, I won’t let you go.”
Veronica’s entire body went stiff, and the sadness in her heart deepened. Her voice was barely a whisper when she spoke. “You’re so bossy, Young Master Matthew. Not only are you forcing me to have your child, but you’re also taking away my right to love anyone else.”
She wasn’t an emotional person, and the weight of everything that had happened was too much for her to handle. The tears kept coming, a steady stream that didn’t seem to stop.
But then, as though the floodgates were opening, Veronica regained a little control. She lifted her head and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Her voice took on a chilling calmness as she spoke.
“You’re not afraid that you’ll push me to death? Because if I die, I’ll haunt you, Matthew Kings. I’ll never let you rest.” She shook her head, her lips curling into a cold smile. “No. That’s too light. I should…”
She stopped mid-sentence, her lips parting but no words escaping. Instead, she mouthed something silently, but Matthew read her lips.
I should let you die without any descendants.
Her words were a threat, but there was a finality to it that sent a chill through him.
Matthew’s expression darkened further. “You’re playing with fire, Veronica,” he warned, but there was an almost pleased glint in his eyes, like he was reveling in her defiance.
“Provoke me further, and I might just act on it,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Veronica raised an eyebrow. “Really? Aren’t you worried about your fiancée, Tiffany?” She smiled wryly, her eyes glinting with sarcasm. “What will she think if you ‘get steamy’ with me at your engagement party? Poor Tiffany.”
“Feel sorry for yourself, Veronica,” Matthew replied, his tone full of dark amusement. “You’re the one who’s playing with fire.”
Despite herself, Veronica couldn’t help but feel a twinge of something—was it attraction? Or was it just a sickening mix of emotions she couldn’t control? She hated how he made her feel, but at the same time, something about the way he always pushed her buttons… it intrigued her.
Before she could think too much about it, Matthew dragged her toward the couch, though he didn’t immediately tear her clothes off. Veronica didn’t struggle, but she gave him one last defiant look.
“You think you’re in control?” she asked coolly, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. “You’re not.”
But Matthew just smirked. “With Thomas keeping watch outside, no one will interrupt us. Not even a fly could get in.”
Veronica blinked, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.
Suddenly, her phone rang in her pocket, breaking the tension. Matthew didn’t give her a chance to answer it before swiping it out of her hand and tossing it aside.
“You were only gone for a few minutes and he’s already calling, huh? Does your ugly face still get you all this attention?” He sneered, throwing her a venomous look. “You’re cheap, Veronica.”
Veronica didn’t respond. Her eyes dropped to the phone, seeing Xavier’s name flashing on the screen. She wanted to answer, to talk to him, but before she could make a move, Matthew picked up the phone, answering it on loudspeaker.
Xavier’s voice came through, concerned and warm. “Roni, where are you? Why haven’t you answered my calls?”
Veronica’s heart skipped a beat, but before she could reply, Matthew took control. His thumb hovered over the screen, and the tension in the room seemed to reach its peak.
