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Chapter 7
Wilder felt a wave of affection for Grace’s gentle obedience.
And then, as if in contrast, Summer came to mind–how she always argued with him, never listened, always challenged him.
He rubbed his temples.
“Grace, they weren’t wrong. You’re the one who should’ve been my wife all along… I’m sorry you’ve had to suffer-”
Before he could finish, Grace placed a delicate finger on his lips.
“Wilder, I’m not suffering. As long as you and the baby remember me, that’s enough. You’ve already given me everything I ever wanted. I won’t cling to you or make things difficult.”
Wilder couldn’t help himself. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
And this–this entire scene–Summer had already seen through the surveillance feed.
But when she arrived, the guard posted at the door suddenly tensed. He turned away from her,
whispering urgently into his phone.
By the time Summer stepped into the room, everything looked calm and staged.
Wilder, dressed in a sharp suit, came toward her with a smooth smile, ready to speak-
But Summer waved her hand.
From a distance, Ben dragged a man into the room and tossed him violently at Grace’s feet.
The man’s face was bloodied and beaten, terrifying enough to make Grace scream and stumble
backward.
Wilder’s face darkened as he instinctively stepped in front of her.
“Summer! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Summer shot him a cold smile.
“You invited me, didn’t you? Consider this my birthday gift for Miss Caldwell. What, she doesn’t
like it?”
Grace stayed hidden behind Wilder, clearly recognizing the man on the floor.
Without warning, Summer pulled a gun from her coat pocket.
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Gasps echoed through the room.
Grace screamed, “Ah! Summer, what are you doing?! Was nearly making me fall and miscarry last time not enough? What have I ever done to deserve this?!”
The crowd immediately rushed to de–escalate.
“Summer! Please! Let’s all calm down–it’s her birthday. Don’t let this end in blood.”
“Yeah, yeah, Miss Reeves–whatever this is, can’t we talk it out after? Someone could get seriously
hurt!”
Wilder’s face grew tense. He started to speak-
But then Summer cocked the gun and aimed it directly at Grace.
Wilder’s eyes went cold.
In one swift motion, he pulled a pistol from his coat and fired.
Bang!
Everyone dropped to the floor. His men surrounded Grace instantly, shielding her.
“Summer!”
A sharp, burning pain shot through Summer’s leg. Her body buckled, and she collapsed.
Her skin went pale, and she slowly looked up at the man who had just shot her.
His eyes were cold. Unfeeling.
Blood soaked through her pant leg as her gun clattered to the floor.
Shaw rushed forward to grab it-
Only to realize something odd. He stared at the weapon in his hand.
“Boss… it’s not loaded.”
Wilder froze.
He whipped his gaze back to Summer.
She was ghostly pale, but her lips curled into a mocking smile that made his heart seize without
warning.
But before he could react, a voice shouted from the center of the crowd.
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“Grace? Miss Caldwell?!”
Wilder spun around and shoved his way through. Grace had fainted. He scooped her into his arms.
Ben couldn’t take it anymore. He stormed up and blocked his path.
“Wilder–how could you shoot her?! That’s Summer!”
Wilder’s eyes were shrouded in darkness. His lips were pressed into a hard line.
“Move.”
He shoved Ben aside.
At the doorway, he paused.
“Summer assaulted a guest and caused a scene. Shaw, take her to the women’s correctional facility.
She can spend three days cooling off.”
Summer felt something crack in her chest. Like a massive stone crushing her ribcage.
Her vision blurred around the edges.
The gun
he’d just used to shoot her–the one engraved with her initials–was the same one she had given him. He used to say that gun and his heart would always belong to her and only her.
And now?
He’d turned it on her without hesitation.
Shaw froze for a second, but seeing Wilder’s icy resolve, he gave in.
Ben rushed forward to stop them but was forced to his knees by the others.
Shaw scratched his nose awkwardly.
“I’m sorry, Summer.”
“Why are you all just standing around? Take her away!”
Chapter 7
