The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 162

The playful, relaxed expression vanished from Pierce's face, replaced by a dark, intense stare. "What exactly do you want me to do?"

Riley knew that for a man as arrogant and privileged as Pierce, lowering himself to play nice was already a massive concession. But she didn't care. "I just want a divorce."

Sensing the tension escalating rapidly, Mrs. Gable stepped in. "Mr. Landon, it's time for Alora's bath. I'll take her now."

Pierce handed the baby over.

Mrs. Gable practically sprinted into the nursery and shut the door.

Standing in the middle of the living room, Pierce glared at Riley, who was still standing in her bedroom doorway. "If I decide to fight for custody, do you really think you stand a chance against me?"

Riley hadn't expected him to sink so low as to use their daughter as leverage. Using her parents and Quinn to threaten her had been infuriating, but using Alora was unforgivable.

Alora had been conceived on their wedding night. She was the symbol of what their love was supposed to be. She shouldn't be used as a bargaining chip in his sick power plays.

"Pierce, are you really intent on destroying every last shred of decency between us?"

"Decency?" Pierce snapped, his brow furrowing in anger. "In your eyes, is there any decency left between us? If there were, we wouldn't be standing here right now!"

So, this was all her fault?

It was laughably absurd.

At that moment, she was profoundly grateful she had listened to Quinn and preemptively gathered evidence documenting his neglect of their daughter.

Utterly disgusted and done arguing, Riley pointed a rigid finger at the front door. "Get out!"

Staring at Riley's glacial expression, Pierce simply couldn't accept it. He refused to believe that the woman who had loved him so deeply could turn so utterly heartless.

He convinced himself this was all just an act. A facade to punish him.

She was retaliating because of his betrayal. She was punishing him for falling for someone else.

Deep down, she definitely didn't want this divorce. It was just her pride refusing to let her bow her head or forgive him.

She definitely still loved him.

Yes. That had to be it.

Desperate to prove it to himself, Pierce strode toward her.

He ravaged her mouth completely unchecked.

The taste of blood coated both their tongues.

Psycho!

Asshole!

Tears of furious humiliation spilled from Riley's eyes, streaming down her cheeks and mixing into the kiss.

Tasting the salt, Pierce froze violently. His eyes snapped open, and he finally realized her face was drenched in tears. He released her instantly, his hands flying up in a panic to wipe her face.

"Riley, don't cry. I just—"

*Slap!*

Riley struck him across the face with everything she had. Immediately after, a violent wave of nausea hit her. She doubled over, dry heaving aggressively. Nothing came up, but her stomach churned violently, her face flushing crimson as the veins in her neck strained.

Seeing her gagging so violently, Pierce thought her stomach condition was acting up. Ignoring the burning sting on his cheek, he reached for her. "I'll take you to the hospital."