Chapter 18
Carter’s POV
I paced my room, frustration gnawing at my insides. The way he left abruptly after that phone call wouldn’t leave my mind.
I knew that something happened but he wouldn’t tell me, but he clearly thought I was behind it somehow and it made me worry. What was he talking about? And why did I have this sinking feeling that it had something to do with Veronica?
I spent the next theee hours simply thinking about everything.
The idea of her being anywhere near Orthon made my blood boil. I was still yet to get over the restaurant incident and now he wanted me to sign. the divorce papers? She wasn’t even supposed to be with him. Veronica
was mine.
The thought of them together sent a wave of rage coursing through me. I would never allow that. I would rather die than let them be together.
And then there was Orthon’s threat. A business war? He couldn’t possibly think I’d let him win, especially when it involved mg Veronica. No one challenges me and walks away unscathed. Whether he owned an empire. or not, I was going to deal with him in my own way.
A knock broke through my thoughts. Before I could respond, Meghan strolled in, her hand resting on her belly and a self–satisfied smile on her face.
When did she arrive? I let out a groan. I was seriously tired of seeing her.
“Carter,” she said, her voice sticky sweet. “We need to talk.”
I sighed, already irritated. “What now, Meghan?”
She sat down without waiting for an invitation, smoothing her dress. “Your mother told me to remind you to spend more time with me. After all. I’m carrying your child.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to keep my patience. All this pregnancy talk was beginning to get on my nerves. I didn’t know how much more I could take before I finally snapped.
“What do you want?”
“I want us to go shopping,” she said brightly. “We could pick out things. for the baby, make a day of it.”
I grabbed my wallet and pulled out my black card, handing it to her without looking up. “Take this and go by yourself. I’m busy.”
I had no intention of going anywhere with her. I had more important things to worry about.
Her smile vanished, replaced by a look of irritation. “Busy with what? Or should I ask, who? Is this about Veronica?”
My jaw clenched. “Don’t bring her up.”
“Why not?” she snapped, crossing her arms. “She’s all you think about anyway. Maybe now you can finally move on.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I demanded, turning to face her fully.
Meghan smirked, her voice sharp. “She’s dead, Carter. Didn’t you hear?
Veronica died in a fire.”
Her words hit me like a freight train. My breath caught, and my chest tightened. “What did you say?”
11
“You heard me,” she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “It’s all over the news. She’s gone.”
“You’re lying.”
“Check for yourself,” she said, her smirk widening.
With trembling hands, I grabbed my phone and opened the news. The headline stared back at me like a cruel joke.
“Billionaire Wife, Veronica Grayson, Perishes in Tragic Fire Incident.”
Her name was there. Clear as day. My heart seemed to have stopped for a
moment.
My vision blurred as my hands tightened around the phone. “No,” I whispered, shaking my head.
Meghan leaned closer. “Now maybe you’ll finally focus on me and the baby.”
“Get out,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.
“Carter-”
“GET OUT!” I roared, my voice echoing in the office.
She flinched but quickly recovered, her face hardening. “Fine. But you can’t keep ignoring me forever,” she said before storming out and slamming the door.
I sat down heavily, my head in my hands. This couldn’t be real. Veronica couldn’t be gone.
Before I could process anything further, the door opened again, this time revealing my mother. She walked in with an air of authority, her face set in a disapproving frown.
“What is all this shouting about?” she demanded.
“Not now. Mother.” I muttered, not looking up.
“Yes, now,” she said, her voice sharp. “Meghan is upset, and I don’t blame her. She’s your fiancée and the mother of your child. You need to treat her with respect.”
“She is not my fiancée.” I snapped, standing up.
“She might as well be!” my mother retorted. “You’ve already done enough damage to her reputation by not marrying her.”
I glared at her. “This is my life, Mother. Not yours.”
“And what about the child she’s carrying? Or does that not matter to you?”
“Don’t you dare lecture me about responsibility,” I growled. “You’re the one who pushed this arrangement on me in the first place.”
“Because it was the right thing to do!” she shot back. “And I won’t have you disrespecting Meghan just because you’re still hung up on that other
woman.”
“Don’t.” I warned, my voice dangerously low. “Don’t talk about Veronica.”
My mother sighed, her expression softening. “Carter, I know you cared for her, but she’s gone now. You need to focus on the future–on Meghan and the baby.”
I turned away, unable to look at her. “Get out.”
“Carter-”
“I said get out!”
The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air. Finally, she sighed and left. closing the door softly behind her.
As soon as I was alone. I sank into the chair, my hands shaking. Veronica couldn’t be gone. She couldn’t.
I took out my phone and called Orthon. After three rings he answered.
“What do you want?” He barked.
“Veronica… is she…” my voice trembled. I couldn’t even complete the words.
“Dead? What do you think? Isn’t that why you invited her out?” he snapped.
What the fuck was he talking about?