“I carried that baby because you said it was Ethan’s,” Olivia said, tears welling in her eyes. “You said we were keeping the family name alive.”

“The family name belongs to me,” Margaret replied.

Olivia took a step back, her back hitting the doorframe.

She looked at me, then at Ethan, then back at Margaret.

The realization seemed to hit Olivia all at once, washing the remaining color from her cheeks.

Margaret had never cared about Ethan’s legacy.

She had used Olivia as a vessel to create a child she could legally manipulate, free from any biological claims Ethan could ever make.

“You used me,” Olivia whispered, her hand rising to cover her mouth.

Margaret stood taller, her eyes flashing with a sudden, vicious light.

“Do not play the victim, Olivia,” Margaret snapped.

“This clinic’s license will be revoked by tomorrow morning,” Margaret said, turning her glare back to Julian.

“I will drag your father’s name through every tabloid in Colorado,” she added.

Julian did not look intimidated.

He simply folded his hands over the manila folder.

“My father is dead, Mrs. Lawson,” Julian said. “You cannot hurt him anymore.”