Author's Note: Unedited Chapter
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"When you turned me in, did you know I was carrying your child?"
Zenith staggered as if struck, his face paling. "Our child? I didn't know, Karis. I swear I didn't know."
Tears shimmered in Karis's large, teal eyes, not of sorrow but of rage. "I lost our baby, Vlaid, in a maximum-security transport. Do you understand what that means? The conditions... they were merciless. No medical care, no compassion. Our child didn't stand a chance."
Zenith looked as if he might collapse, his hands clenching into fists. "Karis, I..."
"A life for a life, Vlaid," Karis hissed, her voice rising. "You will pay dearly."
Before the situation could escalate further, Gustav stepped between them, his demeanor authoritative yet calm.
"No one is paying anything until we sort out the situation with the Rion. Where is it, Karis?"
