Chapter 98

Patrick Banks POV

I couldn’t even bring myself to look at Valerie.

Shame clung to me like a second skin. I had convinced myself that the truth would never come out — the bribe, manipulation, and betrayal would stay hidden forever. But now, it was unraveling in front of her and the guilt was suffocating.

I had bribed a judge just to get what I wanted. As if that wasn’t enough, my selfishness had led her straight into danger. They kidnapped us because of me.

What the hell was I thinking?

I wondered what was going through her head. The disappointment in her eyes was glaring. She must’ve been thinking of how to report me and take Liam away from me after everything was over.

And honestly, I couldn’t blame her.

I’d already lost her once, and now, I might’ve just given her the reason to never look back. My fingers trembled and for the first time in my life, I didn’t know what to do.

What could I possibly say that would make her forgive me?