chapter 7

As I grappled with the news, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. I didn't know if I was ready to be a mother, especially not to Damian's child.

But as I looked down at my belly, I felt a spark of connection. This was a new life, innocent and pure. And I knew I had to protect it, no matter what.

I decided to keep the pregnancy a secret, at least for now. I didn't want Damian or the father to know, not yet. I needed time to think, to plan.

As I navigated this new reality, I felt a sense of determination growing inside me. I would raise this child on my own terms, away from the corruption and evil that had defined my past.

And maybe, just maybe, this child could be a chance for redemption. A chance for me to start anew, to create a better future.

But as I walked home, lost in thought, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Damian was still out there, watching me, waiting for me.

And I knew that I couldn't hide forever. Eventually, I would have to face him, and the truth about our child.

As the days turned into weeks, I tried to focus on my pregnancy and the future. I read books, attended prenatal classes, and prepared my home for the arrival of my baby.

But the fear of Damian's return lingered, always present in the back of my mind. I knew he would find out about the pregnancy eventually, and I dreaded his reaction.

One day, as I was walking home from a doctor's appointment, I saw him. Damian was standing across the street, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity.

I quickened my pace, my heart racing, but he kept pace with me, his eyes never leaving mine.

"You can't hide forever," he said, his voice low and menacing.

I knew then that I had to confront him, to face the reality of my situation. I stopped walking and turned to face him.

"What do you want, Damian?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "I want my child," he said. "And I will do whatever it takes to get it."

I knew then that I was in grave danger. Damian would stop at nothing to claim his child, and I had to protect my baby at all cost ..

Damian's eyes narrowed as he gazed at me, his mind racing with the implications. "You're pregnant," he repeated, his voice dripping with malice. "And the child is mine."

I stood my ground, trying to hide my fear. "What do you want, Damian?"

He took a step closer, his eyes glinting with obsession. "I want my child. I want to be involved in its life. And I will do whatever it takes to make that happen."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the extent of his fixation. He had been spying on me, following me, and now he was demanding access to my child.

The doctor, who had been watching the exchange with growing concern, stepped forward. "I'm afraid that's not possible, Mr. Damian. Patient confidentiality-"

Damian's smile was icy. "I'm not interested in your ethics, Doctor. I'm interested in my child. And I will find out everything I need to know."

I knew then that I had to protect my baby at all costs. I couldn't let Damian's toxic influence touch my child's life. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw a determination that made my blood run cold. He would stop at nothing to claim his child.

Damian's face twisted in a mixture of anger and hurt as I spat on him. "You're my wife," he repeated, his voice low and menacing.

I stood my ground, despite the fear coursing through my veins. "It's fake," I said, my voice firm. "I only married you to save my mother's life. And now, I'm pregnant with your child, but that doesn't mean I want anything to do with you."

Damian's expression changed, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of vulnerability. "I'm not a bad person," he said, his voice cracking. "I'm being used in my father's pawn game, just like you."

I was taken aback by his words. Could it be true? Was Damian also a victim of his father's manipulation?

But I didn't have time to process this new information, as Damian's face hardened again. "You're carrying my child," he said, his voice cold. "And I will do everything in my power to ensure that I have a role in its life."

I knew then that I had to be careful. Damian was unpredictable, and I couldn't trust him. But a part of me wondered - was there more to him than met the eye?

Damian's eyes pleaded with me, his voice filled with emotion. "You're carrying my child, and that connects us forever. I don't care if you think my father is a bad person, or if you hate me for what I've done. I'm the father of this child, and I have a right to be in its life."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he revealed the extent of his obsession. He had been following me, spying on me, and even relocated to be near me.

"Please," he continued, his voice cracking. "I want to be present in my child's life. I want to be a father, a good father. I promise to leave my family's business behind and start anew, for the sake of our child."

I was torn. A part of me wanted to believe him, to think that he could change and be a good father. But another part of me remembered the pain and suffering he had caused me, and I couldn't trust him.

"What about your father?" I asked, stalling for time. "Will he let you just walk away?"

Damian's face darkened. "I'll deal with my father. I'll protect you and our child from him, no matter what it takes."

I didn't know what to say, or what to do. A part of me wanted to believe him, but I knew I had to be careful. I had to think about what was best for my child.

As Damian's words hung in the air, I felt a mix of emotions. His proximity, his intensity, and his declaration of love all combined to leave me breathless.

But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that gave me pause. A glimmer of sincerity, of vulnerability, that made me question everything I thought I knew about him.

And then, he was gone. Leaving me to process the whirlwind of emotions and revelations that had just hit me.

As I stood there, trying to make sense of it all, I couldn't help but think about the unpredictability of life. Rachel, my former boss and friend, had been working for Damian's father all along. And now, Damian himself was revealing that he was a victim in his father's game.

Damian's father must be a powerful and ruthless man, I thought. To have so many pawns in play, to have manipulated so many lives.

But as I touched my belly, feeling the gentle stirrings of my child within, I knew that I had to be strong. For myself, for my baby, and for the truth that I was determined to uncover.

My mother's questions came like a flood, each one piercing my heart like a dagger. I knew I had to tell her the truth, but I was scared. Scared of her reaction, scared of her judgment, scared of her disappointment.

As I burst into tears, my mother's expression changed from curiosity to concern. She wrapped her arms around me, holding me close as I sobbed uncontrollably.

"Shh, my child," she whispered. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together. Just tell me the truth."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. But the words got stuck in my throat. How could I tell her that I had been forced into a fake marriage with a man who had taken advantage of me? How could I tell her that I was carrying his child?

"Mom," I started, my voice shaking. "I...I don't know where to begin."

My mother held me at arm's length, her eyes searching mine. "Just start from the beginning, child. We'll get through this together."

"Mom, I have something to tell you," I said, my voice shaking. "I did something to save you from your coma. I got fake-married to a billionaire, Damian, who's involved in some really bad things. And now...now I'm pregnant."

As I broke down in tears, my mother's eyes widened in shock. But to my surprise, she didn't judge me. Instead, she opened her arms and pulled me into a warm hug.

"Oh, sweetie, it's okay," she whispered. "You did what you thought was best to save me, and I'm grateful for that. We'll get through this together."

Her words of comfort and understanding enveloped me like a balm, soothing my fears and worries. I cried even harder, releasing all the pent-up emotions I'd been carrying for so long.

My mother stroked my hair, her touch gentle and reassuring. "We'll face this together, as a family. We'll figure out what to do about the baby and Damian. But for now, just know that I love you, and I'm here for you."