Seeing Rebecca White trembling with emotion, Francis Johnson frowned and reached out, grasping her wrist.
His voice was low and steady. Rebecca, this was a coincidence. An accident. Caroline Bennett didn’t mean to go the wrong way, and I never thought you’d get hurt.
Rebecca let out a cold, bitter laugh.
So you’re both innocent? And what does that make me—just someone who deserved it?
That’s not what I meant-
Rebecca’s eyes brimmed with tears. What did I do to deserve this? Why do I have to pay for it?
Rebecca, it’s over now.
Francis tightened his hold on her wrist, his tone softer, almost pleading. I’ll take care of you. For the rest of my life—always.
No…
Rebecca shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut in pain. For a moment, she simply couldn’t accept this reality.
No what?
Francis’s expression darkened, his gaze growing colder. I don’t get it. How does any of this change things between us? Whatever happened, we’re together now. We have James. We can have a good life—
You don’t understand. You just don’t understand… Rebecca’s voice broke as she shook her head, her lashes wet with tears.
Then what don’t I understand?
Francis let out a short, humorless laugh. Are you saying everything I’ve done for you is fake? I never meant to hurt you!
Francis!
Rebecca cut him off sharply, her lips trembling. An accident still hurts!
Their eyes met, and suddenly, the room fell silent.
After a long moment, Francis half-closed his eyes and let out a quiet, mocking laugh.
What’s gotten into you? You’d already accepted things, hadn’t you? Why the sudden change is it because of Eddy Jones? He’s the one who told you all this, isn’t he?
He paused, his smile turning icy.
Did it ever occur to you why he’d tell you these things? He still wants you, Rebecca. He’s trying to come between us, to break us apart.
Francis shook his head, his voice growing heavy. And you fell for it? What, are you planning to get back together with that loser?
His grip on her wrist tightened.
Listen to me, Rebecca. You’re James’s mother, my girlfriend, and soon you’ll be my wife. There can’t be anyone else in your mind eno one, ever!
With a swift motion, he pulled Rebecca into his arms.
A second later, he scooped her up and strode straight for the stairs.
Francis! Rebecca struggled in his arms. What are you doing?
Francis didn’t answer. He kicked open the master bedroom door, dropped her onto the bed, and pinned her down.
Francis!
Rebecca’s heart pounded as she pressed her hands against his chest, trying to push him away.
They’d been together long enough; she knew exactly where this was headed.
I don’t want this! I don’t want to!
Francis stared at her, startled. Why not? Nothing’s changed-haven’t we been fine before?
Ine
Ever since that night, intimacy had become normal between them. Francis was in his prime; once he’d tasted her, all his passion belonged to her.
Is this about Eddy?
Francis let out a cold, derisive laugh. Is what he says really that important to you? Your
ex-husband-what, was he better than me? Did he do this to you too? Tell me, am I better, or was he?
He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers with a force that was more bite than kiss.
Rebecca winced in pain, shaking her head desperately. No… please…
But she was no match for his strength.
While kissing her, Francis freed one hand to undo his tie.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Rebecca suddenly brought up her knee and kicked him—
Ugh!
Francis doubled over with a groan, instinctively letting go as pain made him curl up.
Rebecca…
His face had gone pale, tinged with blue. Had she hurt him badly?
Rebecca hesitated, fear and guilt warring inside her. Maybe she’d gone too far—
but right now, she couldn’t afford to care.