The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife

Chapter 233 Chapter 233: Negotiation Angela Pov After returning to my room. I pulled out the phone Christopher had given me. I began searching for information about Sean Shaw.

I typed his ninto the search engine. For someone who seemed important enough to bringhere, Sean Shaw maintained a surprisingly low profile In one Wall Street Journal article, I found a photo: a man in an expensive sult, dark hair visible despite the angle, wearing sunglasses that obscured most of his face.

Something about that profile made my heart race.

I enlarged the image, studying the curve of his jaw, the set of his shoulders.

A strange, visceral familiarity washed over me-not a memory exactly, but a feeling. My body remembered him even if my didn't y mind I tried forcing the mentries to surface, but the effort only intensified my headache, Flashes of disconnected images-a boy at an ice hockey rink, a hand holding mine, a darkened room-cand went too quickly to grasp. Giving up. I lay back on the bed and waited for Christopher.

The door opened without a knock. Christopher entered, pausing when he sawstill awake. "Not sleeping yet?" he asked, his tone gentle but with an undercurrent of something possessive.

I sat up slowly. "I have something to ask you." Christopher crossed the room, noticing my slight shiver in the cool ning air. He took a cashmere throw from a nearby chair and draped it around my shoulders, then crouched before me, his face level with mine. "What is it?" I met his gaze directly. The person I chere to rescue before I lost my memory-where is he?" Christopher's expression hardened slightly. "Was it David who told you?" Did David tell you about him?" Christopher asked, his expression dirkening. "Does it matter how I know? 1 replied carefully.

He studiedfor a moment. "I suppose not. The important thing is what you choose to do with this information." "So can I see him now?" "Angela," Christopher said, his voice firm, "seeing him isn't possible." Why not?" "That's not an option," he replied, straightening to his full height. "Bat i can arrange medical care for him and have him sent away from here. There are conditions, of course. I believe you already know what they are." 1/3 Chapter 233: Negotiation He waited, watchingwith those calculating eyes that seemed to measure my every reaction.

"Have you decided?" he pressed, "I let him go, and you stay withI swallowed hard, the unfairness of it all burning in my throat. "If that was my purpose for coming here, I suppose I have no choice.

"A wise decision." I want to see see him first," I said. "Just once." Christopher shook his head. I've already told you that's not possible 111 grant any other request, but not that one "You're being unreasonable," I said, frustration building. How can I trust you'll actually help him if I can't even verify he's here?" Which is more important to you?" Christopher asked coldly. "Seeing him once, or having New York?"arrange for him to receive treatment in I froze. "He's injured?" An unexpected pain shot through my chest at these words.

injury caused a visceral reaction-my heart constricted, breath caught, as if Though I couldn't remember this man, the news of his injury someone had reached inside and squeezed something vital.

Why did this stranger's suffering affectso deeply? The intensity of my emotional response confused and frightened me.

I gathered myself and continued, "Was that part of our previous agreement?" "No," Christopher replied. This is simply the choice I'm offering you now." 1. th. When you have your answer, letknow." When I didn't immediately respond, he added, "Take your time. We're in no rush. When you He turned to leave, his casual dismissal of my distress only heightening my anger and determination.

At dinner the following evening, I waited until the staff served the main course before signaling for them to leave us alone.

Christopher looked up, interest flickering in his eyes as the last server closed the door behind him.

"You have something to say?" he asked, cutting into his perfectly scaped fish. "Yes." 1 sel down my fork, leaving my plate untouched. "I've ing my plate made my decision." Christopher set his knife and fork down, givinghis full attention. I'm listening." "I won't insist on seeing him," I said, carefully watching Christopher action. "But I want your promise that he'll leave here safely. "Safely?" Christopher raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid that's impossible, "What?" My voice sharpened, "Why?" Because he's already injured, as you know. Safe isn't an option anymore." 2/3 Chapter 233: Negotiation I leaned forward. Then give him the best medical care possible and end him away.

That's my condition." Christopher studiedfor a long moment. I can agree to that, but have a condition of my own." "Which is?" "An engagement," he said simply. "A formal commitment between 14- I felt a cold wave wash through me, but maintained my composure. Im beginning

to understand what kind of man you are, Christopher. You treat others with such calculating cruelty. What guarantee do I have that you won't someday treatthe sway?" His expression changed subtly, a flicker of uncertainty breaking through his confident facade. "Angela, you're different. You're special to me."

"Am 17" I challenged. "I'm special now, while you want me. But what bout later, when you no longer feel this way? Will I end up like Sean, held prisoner somewhere until you decide what to do with me?" Christopher his resolve..

fell silent, the weight of my words hanging between us. In that moment, I saw something shift in his eyes-a crackin win," he said finally. "I'll arrange for the best doctors to treat Senn immediately." Chapter Comments LIKE