Three months later

My baby bump had officially hit the “no hiding it” stage. Every morning I swore it looked bigger, tighter. The board didn’t care anymore, though. They respected me now. feared me, even. I’d turned every sneer into silence, every doubt into obedience. Brayden’s empire was still standing, because I’d kept it standing.

But all the power in the world didn’t quiet the ache of visiting his hospital bed and praying he’d open his eyes.

Clara walked beside me ...