Hearing his careless remarks, my face darkened at once. "I'm grateful that you don't mind being a stepfather to my child, but you're far too good for a woman like me, someone who doesn't take the bond of marriage seriously," I shot back, my eyes fixed on him.
I shouldn't waste another moment on him. He was too unpredictable, too difficult to read, and that alone made him dangerous to stay near.
Without another word, I walked past him and left the pavilion, moving quickly along the edge of the pond toward the house. The night air was still, but my senses stayed alert, every step measured.
Behind me, I heard his footsteps closing in.
The moment his hand touched my shoulder, something inside me snapped. Instinct took over before thought could follow. I turned sharply and shoved him away with force.
He stumbled, caught off guard, and fell straight into the pond with a heavy splash.
