The Barter Novel Sierra and Xavier

---- Chapter 514 The night was heavy with silence as I stumbled through the castle corridors, my steps echoing against the stone walls.

The guards trailed behind me like shadows, close enough to watch but too wary to intervene.

No one dared touch me After what Vince did.

Treached the opening in the center of the castlea vast, hollow space surrounded by halls leading to every corner of this place Id come to loathe My breath hitched as I stood there, frozen, uncertain.noveldrama

Where do I go now? My room? Vince and I shared it for months, but after everything...

I doubted hed want me there.

I doubted leven deserved to be there.

"Lost, Princess?" ---- Chapter 514 A hoarse voice whispers behind me, and I cringe as I feel a familiar disgusting breath behind my neck.

I step back immediately to see Gerald standing there.

A smile of victory plastered on his face.

"[ hope you're intelligent enough not to consider escaping tonight," he said, his tone almost amused.

Iclenched my fists, the urge to throttle him simmering just below the surface.

"You'll need me," he continued, his gaze dropping pointedly to my swollen belly.

He was right.

And that fact enraged me more than anything.

It was the only reason I hadn't killed him yet.

The only reason I was still here, enduring his games and his arrogance Gerald had the best medical equipment, the most skilled doctors.

He was the only one who could ensure my childs survival.

And he knew it.

---- "What happens," I asked, my voice sharp, "if they bring the sacrifice to you? Will you really let me go?" Gerald's lips curled into a scoff, his gaze dripping with mockery.

He walks toward me with the slow, deliberate steps of a predator.

"Do you honestly think I'd let you leave?" He laughed, the sound grating against my nerves.

"My biggest creation in history is in your womb.No, Princess.

You'll never leave here.

Not alive, at least." linhaled deeply, trying to steady the storm brewing in my chest.

"So, what?" I asked, forcing my voice to remain calm.

"You plan to give them my corpse?" Geralds smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with something vile "You're sharper than I gave you credit for," he said.

"Tonight," he continued, circling me like a vulture, "your child will begin feeding on you.

And tomorrow morning, we'll begin the surgery to extract it." ---- "And the chances of my survival?" [ asked, though I already knew the answer.

He tilted his head, his expression turning mockingly thoughtful.

"Do you think IT care?" he said bluntly.

"Once the child is out, your purpose is served.

You're expendable, Princess.

Always have been." I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself not to react, not to let him see the fear clawing at the edges of my resolve.

I should have known this already.

Why am I surprised? "You'll regret this," I said, my voice a low growl.

"Vincenzo" "Vincenzo?" Gerald threw his head back, laughing.

"You think Vincenzo will come for you? Believe you, even? Please."