Chapter 13 Only now did she see it had all been an act . Raymond leaned in , his breath hot against her skin . His voice , husky from the wine , said , " If you're worried about your sister , come with me ." Josephine's expression went calm again . " We said we'd wait until I'm pregnant before going public , remember ? " Raymond pulled Josephine in by the waist . " If we don't do it , how are you gonna get pregnant ? How are we gonna make it official ? Come on , let's make tonight count ." A * Back when they were in love , his sweet talk was nice to hear . Now it just sounded crude . " I'm on my period ," she said flatly . She thought that was it , until he added , " But it's my birthday . Where is the gift you promised me ? " There wasn't one . Not anymore . The only thing she'd ever considered a real gift - the pregnancy www Chapter 13 test , which had come back positive - was still hidden under the couch at Forever Jo Villa . Once Elnora left , she would get an abortion . But first , she should take the test back . Leaving it there wasn't safe . And with Raymond already pressing her , she might as well use the chance . " Go wait in the car . I'll be down in a minute ," she said . He finally let her go and headed for the elevator . Josephine went back to her room , opened a drawer , and took out a pair of sapphire cufflinks she'd bought yesterday . She thought they'd suit him , but hadn't had the chance to give them . 1 Then she put them into her bag and rushed out the door in her pajamas . A In the elevator , she texted Elnora , " Go to bed . A friend is running a high fever , and there's no one to look after her . I'm heading over . Don't wait up . " Downstairs , Raymond was leaning against his car , smoking . Chapter 13 The glow of his cigarette flared in the dark , then faded . Josephine walked toward him . Smoke curled around his face , giving his features a mysterious , tempting edge . His eyes stayed on her , deep and tender , the kind of look Josephine used to fall for without a thought . The air smelled faintly of tobacco . His cigarette was almost out , but instead of flicking it away , he walked over and put it out properly in the bin . He was , in many ways , a refined man . If Josephine hadn't heard it herself , she might never have believed he could do something so vile . Raymond opened the car door for her , as gentlemanly as ever . She got in . The top - of - the - line Maybach glided into the darkness , sleek and understated . Later , they pulled into the courtyard at Forever Jo Villa . Raymond got out first . Josephine followed . He came around to her , bent down , and scooped her up . Chapter 13 Inside , the dining room glowed with warm , dim yellow light . He set her down in a chair , then turned on the starry ceiling lights . Her fingers curled in unease . What was he up to? He knew she was on her period . He sat across from her . Josephine looked down , pulled the gift box from her bag , and handed it over . " Happy birthday , Ray ! " With no love left for him , she couldn't muster the warmth she used to feel . Even she could tell her gesture felt stiff . Raymond opened the box . " Put them on for me ? " S ees Josephine walked over , removed the crystal cufflinks from his white shirt , and slipped the new pair on . " Done , " she said . He slid his arms around her waist . " Jo , you've been cold to me ever since your sister showed up . " " I don't know why she hates you so much . I just don't want her Chapter 13 to find out now and get upset . She means a lot to me ." Raymond lifted her chin , searching her face . " You've been off since that camping trip . " She wrapped her arms around his neck . " They say people who are hiding something always think others are acting weird . So ... you got something I should know about ? " **