The Flower That Grew from Ashes novel Chapter 75

"The baby in Clarissa's stomach is Elias's."

He spoke with profound sincerity, every word sounding as though it had been forged in steel, carrying an absolute, undeniable certainty.

"It's from the last vial of sperm Elias left behind before he died."

"I merely stepped in as her attending physician to help her complete the IVF procedure."

"That's all it is."

Annelise stared quietly into his eyes.

Those eyes used to hold the stars of her entire universe.

For four years, she had lost herself in that deep, endless galaxy.

If... if she hadn't held that paternity test report in her own hands.

If she hadn't laid on that freezing operating table and heard, with her own ears, the cold-blooded death sentence he and Clarissa had passed on her and her unborn child.

She thought, maybe, just maybe, she would have fallen for it again.

Fallen for this man's flawless, deeply affectionate web of lies.

Slowly, she lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting a fragile shadow over her cheeks.

With a trembling voice laced with tears, she played the part of the convinced, emotionally swayed, pitiful wife.

"Is that... is that really all it is?"

"I promise you."

Hackett nodded solemnly, tightening his grip on her shoulders as if to physically transfer his "sincerity" and "resolve" into her.

A promise.

Internally, Annelise let out a silent, mocking laugh.

You tell these promises with such practiced ease, without even blinking an eye.

Hackett, over all these years, how many people have you fed these same vile, repetitive lies to?

She didn't say another word. Instead, she submissively rested her head against his chest.

It was exactly what she had done for the last four years whenever she felt wronged and sought his comfort.

Feeling the obedience of the woman in his arms, the tension slowly drained from Hackett's rigid body.

He thought she had been pacified once again.

He thought he had taken back control of the situation.

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