Chapter 39

He said those words with such a bitter bite, every syllable soaked in hostility. Ariella opened the pill case, pulled out the meds, and swallowed them dry. Then she snapped back without flinching, "Don't worry, I'll be extra careful. Believe me, carrying your baby would be a hundred-no, a thousand times more torture for me than for you." Even as the words left her lips, there was a flicker of disappointment inside her. When he'd said he didn't want her having his child again, she'd felt that sting. Maybe it's just human nature-it's easier to shut others out than to be the one pushed away, she thought. Out of nowhere, Lucian grabbed her chin. That was his move whenever he lost his temper-tight grip, forcing her to look up at him. His smirk was full of spite. "Better mean it this time." Ariella stared right back, her chin aching under his fingers. Tears welled in her eyes but didn't fall-not this time. "Lucian, I meant every word. I didn't report you." Lucian gave a low, sarcastic chuckl