Addison waited to be acknowledged, but when Joanna continued her climb, Addison’s temper got the best of her. “God damn it, woman! We need to talk!”

Joanna stiffened, and coming to a stop, she slowly turned around and looked down at Addison. “No, we do not!”

Addison had hoped that time had eased Joanna’s anger, but the expression on her wife’s face proved her wrong. Stern and filled with contempt, Addison paled at the rage etched on Joanna’s face. One moment passed and then another before Addison found the courage to approach the staircase. “Look, I know...I know you’re angry, and you think I’m a cold-hearted bitch—”

“Among other things.”

“But...but I do love you—”

“Oh, you can go to hell!” Joanna said as she spun around and ran up the stairs.

Love can mask faults and cloak imperfections, but it can also blind one to the peripheral. As Addison looked up at Joanna, she lost sight of the child in her belly. All she saw was the woman who had stolen her heart, and to imagine the world without Joanna was unfathomable.

Addison charged up the steps, catching up to Joanna before she reached the east wing. Grabbing her arm, she spun Joanna around. “Will you please stop being so fucking pigheaded and just give me a chance to explain myself.”

Joanna pulled out of Addison’s hold. “What’s there to explain? You think your family is cursed, and you want me to kill our child. Did I miss anything?”

Addison took a half-step backward, her face paling at Joanna’s brutal interpretation. “It...it sounds so wrong when you say it.”

“Because it is wrong, Addison! It’s wrong, and it’s cruel.”

“I’m trying to save your life, damn it! Can’t you see that? And I think I can if you let me.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“We hire a surrogate. Hell, we can hire five surrogates. I don’t care, but since they wouldn’t be my wife, the family history wouldn’t come into play. We have children. I’ll have an heir...and you’ll live.”

Joanna rocked back on her heels, the blood in her veins turning cold as she glowered at Addison. “And the baby I’m carrying?”

Addison bowed her head. “We make arrangements—”

“Like hell, we will!” Joanna said as she got into Addison’s face. “We will do no such thing because we aren’t a we anymore. Now, for the last bloody time, I am done with this conversation!” For a split-second, Joanna sneered at Addison before she turned around and marched into the east wing.

Addison trotted to catch up, and stepping in front of Joanna, she blocked her path to her bedroom door. “Please don’t do this.”

“Get the hell out of my way.”

“I’m begging you, please...please reconsider.”

“Get...out...of...my...way!”