The Biker's Bride Wants Revenge

FIVE YEARS AGO

AURORA HALE

"How long has it been since your hysterectomy, Mrs. Hale?"

For a second, I honestly think Dr. Blaze is joking. Or maybe I'm hearing things.

"My what?" I laugh lightly, shaking my head. "No, no-there's been some mix-up. I've never had a hysterectomy."

Dr. Blaze's brows pinch together. "Aurora... according to your scans, your uterus was surgically removed about three months ago. It would explain the absence of menstruation."

That stops me cold

But only for a moment. Then I laugh again, harder this time, because this whole thing is ridiculous.

I'm only here because I missed two periods. Normally, I'd brush it off-stress is practically part of my job description as head designer at Wardrobe, my husband's global fashion empire. But after Victor made me get an abortion, I needed to be sure I wasn't pregnant again.

"Doctor, I think someone filed something wrong. I only had an abortion. Three months ago. The procedure Victor arranged-nothing else."

Her face tightens. Not comforting.

"Did you experience complications? Any unusual pain afterwards?"

I blink at her. "It wasn't pleasant, but I wouldn't call it concerning. My husband handled everything-he found the clinic, made the appointment... he would've told me if anything serious happened."

Right?

Right.

Dr. Blaze studies me in that slow, careful way she does when she's about to say something I won't like. "Aurora," she says gently, lowering the file, "you can no longer get pregnant."

My breath stutters. Something inside me goes still.

But I refuse it.

No. Victor and I have been married three years. We have a two-year-old daughter, Camryn. Our whole life-our whole marriage-is built on trust, on love, on the belief that we'd build a future together. I won't let someone's mistake tear through that.

"That doesn't make any sense," I say, too quickly, shaking my head. "Victor would never- this is just wrong paperwork. You must have mixed up the files."

She tries to speak, but I'm already standing, forcing a smile so bright it hurts. "It's fine. I'll call him. We'll laugh about this later."

I leave the office before she can stop me.

The second I hit the parking lot, my hands are shaking from the shock of it all-I smile in disbelief. This is obviously a clerical error, I can't believe they made a mistake on something this serious. Hospitals mess things up all the time. It's almost funny. A hysterectomy? Me?

I slide into the driver's seat and immediately call Victor.

He doesn't pick up.

I call again. And again.

Voicemail.

That's right, he's been busy lately. He should be having that important meeting with distributors in France he mentioned yesterday.

"Come on, Vic," I mutter, forcing a laugh. "Wait until you hear what the doctor said. You're going to die-she thinks I had a hysterectomy."

I imagine him laughing with me. Teasing me. Calling the hospital to bark at whoever misfiled my chart.

Because Victor always takes care of things.

Always.

A small