Sadie watched Holden, feigning ignorance, while trying to figure out why he was here.
Holden pointed to a chair.
âSit down.
You shouldnât be on your feet too much since youâre pregnant,â he said, his voice so gentle that Sadie almost thought he cared.
Was Ariana really dead?
Sadie felt a surge of happiness.
She believed that Holden was coming back to her since Ariana was dead.
She would be the only one by Holdenâs side now.
As Sadie sat, pretending to be clueless, Holden lit a cigarette and said, âAriana had a car accident.
It was bad.
â
Sadie was very happy to hear that, though she faked a look of surprise âReally? How did that happen? I had no idea.
Who was behind that?â
Holden glanced at Sadie and took another puff from his cigarette.
âZaydenâs dead,â he said flatly.
Sadieâs eyes widened.
âDead? Heâs really dead?â
That was when Holdenâs eyes locked onto hers.
âI killed him,â he said, with no hint of remorse.
Sadie felt a chill creep up her spine.
Holdenâs intense gaze made her feel exposed.
Sadie forced a nervous smile.
âI⦠I wonât tell anyone,â she stammered.
Holdenâs lip curled into a sneer.
âBefore he died, he told me something.
That baby youâre carrying? Itâs his.
â
Sadie was left speechless, her mind spinning.
Why would Zayden tell Holden that? She blamed Zayden in her heart.
She had always insisted the baby was Holdenâs, no matter how many lies it took.
Even when Holden had got hold of her phone conversation with Zayden, she had told Holden that she had said that because Zayden had forced her to.
But Zayden had confessed it before dying? This could ruin everything.
Panicking, Sadie blurted out, âHe was lying! I just told him that to throw him off.
He didnât really know who the father was.
Holden, Iâve always been loyal to you.
â
Tears started welling up in her eyes as she continued, âHow could it be Zaydenâs child? I know I messed up before, but it was because you were ignoring me and I was desperate for your attention, Holden.
Iâ¦â
Holden cut her off, his voice icy and tired.
âEnough.
â He shook his head with disappointment.
âHelen, itâs been quite the performance these last five years.
â
Sadie was knocked sideways when she heard that name.
It felt like a grenade had exploded in her mind, leaving her ears ringing from the impact.
How could this be happening?
Why would Holden say that name to her so firmly?