“They needed a perfect familial match to harvest the active stem cells.”

“And you took Clara,” Rowan said, his voice dangerously quiet.

“We secured our future,” Tessa said.

“If you want her to keep breathing, you will play your part today.”

I felt a cold sweat break out along my spine.

My baby girl was downstairs, inside this cold concrete fortress, being used as a medical resource.

I wanted to scream, to throw the heavy tray at Tessa’s head, but I forced my muscles to remain completely still.

One wrong move would get me thrown out, or worse, killed.

Rowan closed his eyes for a fraction of a second.

When he opened them, the anger was gone, replaced by a flat, empty stare.

“What do you want me to do?” he asked.

Tessa smiled, a small, triumphant curve of her lips.

“The ceremony begins in thirty minutes,” she said.

“My father’s guests are already arriving in the main hall.”

“You will stand beside me, you will say your vows, and you will sign the merger papers.”

“And Clara?” Rowan asked.