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i sickness

She tried to ignore the soft little voice in the back of herto look forward to at the end of all this, because she would not get to keep the baby

Elena rested her tired head on her palms Now that she ell and truly in it, she questioned every single reasoning process that had led her to accept Neal She enjoyed the last feeeks, there was no denying that She found herself intoxicated by Neal, charmed by his easy chariss that she should have stamped out the moment they flitted to her consciousness, but she realized that no amount of money and security could remove these memories from her life

She could travel everywhere, she could have a hundred different lovers and create a thousand different sculptures, but she would always know that she had slept with a iven birth to a child She would always know that she had given that child up to be used as a piece in the games of men

Elena understood Neal’s reasoning, but her mind had suddenly awoken to the fact that there was a child she was bringing into the world soon, and no matter which way she looked at it, she could not escape the fact that the decisions she and Neal made would directly affect that little person, for better or for worse

Neal had prepared himself for this very reaction The board appeared frantic in disbelief and barely controlled outrage None er, and stared daggers at Neal, as though he could force the truth froh intimidation Neal’s nerves flitted around in his sto He had come too far to turn back now

“I don’t knohat to tell you all,” Neal said,a show of deliberate calm “She ca the board”

“You’re bluffing, boy,” Cliff growled at him from across the room

“I’e’s baby, and I believe her”

“Of course you would believe her,” Cliff said darkly, “it’s convenient to believe her, isn’t it?”

Neal rolled his eyes, “I don’t knohat you mean”

“I know this one here,” he jerked his face in the direction of Harry, “told you about the codicil You knew that the only way to keep control of the coe’s”

“You’re saying I had so incredulity

“I think you have everything to do with this pregnancy”

“That's quite an accusation You’re getting paranoid in your old age, Cliff,” Neal said lightly, pouring hihly unconcerned by this whole business