Chapter One Hundred & Six

Flashes of his sneering countenance, the pain from hitting her head in his office, the yelling and curses from him, the flurry of blows he gave her on her stomach as she yelled in pain, the frigid and sterile hospital chamber where she received news of her loss, these images flooded Emma's mind as she stood before Ethan, her anger steaming. She exhaled slowly and turned to face him fully, her gaze piercing and fearless.

"I was anticipating your presence, Mr. Ethan," she uttered, her voice steady yet laced with a fiery rage underneath. "In fact, I was quite eager to meet the man responsible for battering me so mercilessly, causing me to lose my unborn child."

The words hung heavy in the air, a palpable tension emanating among the gathered guests. Ethan's smirk faltered, an unreadable shadow passing over his features.

Emma saw Lucas shift away momentarily from the corner of her eye, his jaw clenched tightly and his fists balled up. She berated herself for letting it slip. The plan