Chapter 1127:

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For two years as his “fiancée,” she had lived under strict conditions. Every polished smile at society events, every display of grace before the Hobbes family, was simply part of the script Claude had written for her. She had known all along that his heart belonged to Hannah. As his fiancée, she was only a convenient, respectable stepping stone on his path to power.

Claude turned slowly to face her. He offered no reply, merely closing the distance between them with calm, deliberate steps.

Without warning, he leaned in, his hand lifting to brush softly against Bonnie’s slightly pale cheek. “So eager to leave me?” he murmured, dark amusement flickering in his voice. “Even now that you’re carrying my child?”

Bonnie froze. Instinctively, she shielded her stomach, pain flickering in her eyes. This pregnancy wasn’t fate; it had been carefully engineered by him. The baby in her womb was leverage, a way to tie her to him and force both families into line.

She looked up, her voice trembling. “Even with this baby, will you marry me?”

Claude’s hand stilled, then slid back into his pocket. He stepped away, putting space between them. “No,” he answered quietly, his tone flat.

Bonnie closed her eyes for a moment. She had expected nothing different, yet the answer still hurt. “Then why bring up the baby? This child was never meant to come into the world.”

“I’ll make sure the baby is cared for. You won’t be neglected either,” Claude replied, calm and businesslike. “But you already know there’s only one woman I’ll ever make my wife.”

U𝗉𝘥𝘢𝘁𝖾𝗌 𝖾𝘷e𝗋у 𝗐𝗲𝖾k 𝗼ո 𝗀a𝗅𝗻𝘰v𝗲𝗹𝗌.c𝗈𝗆

It could only be Hannah.

Bonnie gave a wistful smile. “I understand. I’ve always known where your heart lies. Claude, after everything I’ve done, and for the sake of this child, let me go. I’m willing to step aside for you and Hannah.”

“I can’t let you go yet,” Claude replied, shaking his head gently, his eyes settling on her once more. “I still need your help with one last thing. There’s still a wedding missing between us, isn’t there?”

Shock flashed across Bonnie’s face. “But aren’t you planning to marry Hannah? Why talk about a wedding with me?”

Claude’s lips curved into a subtle smile, his gaze dark and unfathomable. “The wedding is the bait. I need to draw Hannah out.”

A flicker of surprise danced across Bonnie’s eyes. “What exactly are you planning to do?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“That is none of your concern,” Claude said curtly. His tone was razor-sharp, a quiet threat laced beneath the calm. “Your only job is to play the part of my bride and endure this charade until it’s done. This is the last time, I swear it. When the ceremony is over, take the money I’ve given you and vanish wherever you choose. When the child arrives, if you wish to raise it alone, I’ll provide enough support for a life of ease. If not… leave the baby with me, and we sever all ties permanently.”

The terms sounded fair, generous even. But Bonnie knew Claude too well. She had seen the coldness, the cunning, the endless calculation. Could she truly believe this was the “last time”? And yet, what choice did she have? Her family’s fortunes, their very lives, were already entwined with his, knotted so tightly that there was no undoing them.

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