Chapter 2

Nova felt a lump form in her throat at his words. 

"I'm not sure if I can," she confessed, her voice wavering with doubt.

"You can," Tyrian insisted firmly, moving the bottle closer with an intimidating stare. "Take this, and everything will be resolved."

Nova's hands shook as she reached for the bottle. She knew that Tyrian's solution offered a way out of their predicament, a chance to escape the uncertainty and hardship that lay ahead. But she also knew that it came at a cost—a cost she wasn't sure she was willing to pay.

She stared down at the bottle in her hands. Her mind raced. She couldn't shake the feeling that terminating the pregnancy would be a betrayal—not only of the life growing inside her, but also of herself and everything she believed in.

Under Tyrian's penetrating gaze, Nova felt a sense of coercion weighing heavily upon her, as though her entire existence was being dictated by his will. Reluctantly, she grasped the bottle and made her way to the bathroom, each step heavy with uncertainty.

In front of the mirror, Nova's reflection stared back at her, mirroring her inner turmoil. Her emerald eyes fluttered, burdened by Tyrian's force. With trembling hands, she unscrewed the cap of the bottle, revealing two large red pills nestled inside. 

As she spilled them into her palm, her body shook uncontrollably. She couldn't shake the fact that Tyrian's cold-heartedness extended even to something as precious as life. She glanced over the pills again, knowing that swallowing those would mean extinguishing the life growing inside her—a life that was innocent and pure.

But even as fear coursed through her veins, Nova couldn't bring herself to follow through with Tyrian's cold-hearted plan. She couldn't bear to become someone she despised, someone who would sacrifice the most precious thing she had ever known in the name of convenience and self-preservation.

Nova clenched her fist around the pills. She knew that she couldn't go through with this, that she had to find another way.

Nova's heartbeat quickened as the door opened abruptly. She glanced over to see Tyrian standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on her. His intense gaze conveyed an unspoken demand for her compliance.

For a moment, Nova hesitated, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts and fears. But then, with a newfound sense of resolve, she met Tyrian's gaze head-on, her eyes blazing.

"I can't do it," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the tremble in her hands. "I won't."

Tyrian's expression darkened at her words, his anger flashing in his eyes as he realized that Nova had defied him. He strode forward, his movements purposeful and menacing, until he stood before her with a look of cold determination.

"You will do as I say," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You will take those pills and end this before it's too late."

"I can't end this baby's life," Nova declared firmly, shaking her head with determination. "This baby is innocent. It doesn't deserve to be treated this way."

Tyrian's jaw clenched, his frustration boiling over. He couldn't believe that she would defy him like this, that she would prioritize the life of their unborn child over his desires.

"You don't understand," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "This isn't about what the baby deserves. It's about survival. Our survival."

"I won't do it," she repeated, her voice unwavering. "I won't let you take away this baby's chance at life."

"You're the cruel one, Nova," Tyrian retorted sharply. "The baby would suffer. And when things worsen, it will blame you for bringing it into this world alive!"

Nova recoiled at Tyrian's words, his accusation striking her like a physical blow. She had never imagined that he would view her decision in such a light, that he would twist her love and determination into something cruel and heartless.

Tears welled in Nova's eyes as she struggled to find the words to defend herself, to make him understand the depth of her conviction. "I can't believe you would say that," she whispered, her voice choking with emotion. "This baby is innocent. It deserves a chance at life, no matter the challenges we may face."

But Tyrian's gaze remained cold and unyielding. "You're blinded by sentimentality," he countered, his voice laced with disdain. "You're condemning us all to a life of suffering and hardship."

Nova's heart pounded even louder as Tyrian strode closer. She watched in horror, his movements swift and forceful as he seized the pills and grabbed her face, his grip unyielding as he attempted to force her mouth open.

"No!" Nova cried out. She struggled against Tyrian's hold, her body trembling with fear as she fought to resist.

But Tyrian was relentless, his resolve unshakeable. "Eat this, you stupid woman!" he demanded harshly.

In a desperate attempt to defend herself, Nova's hand stealthily reached toward the shelf on the wall, seeking anything that might help her escape. But before she could grasp anything, Tyrian violently shoved her aside. Nova stumbled and crashed onto the floor, her body jolting as she collided with a nearby vase, shattering it into countless pieces.

Tyrian stood over Nova, his chest heaving with exertion as he glared down at her.

"You're stubborn, Nova," he spat. "You think you can defy me and get away with it? You're wrong."

With a swift motion, he reached down and grabbed her by the arm, yanking her roughly with a force that left her reeling.

"You're making a mistake," he growled, his tone menacing as he loomed over her. "You'll regret this."

As Tyrian moved to force the pills upon her again, Nova seized a sharp piece of the vase and held it to her neck, her eyes blazing with defiance.

"Stop! Or I'll kill myself!" she cried out, her eyes wide with terror.

Tyrian's expression hardened, his gaze cold and heartless as he sneered at her threat. "Like you can kill an ant," he scoffed. "Go ahead."

Nova's heart shattered at Tyrian's callous words. How could he have no empathy for her? Did he see her as nothing more than a burden, someone no one cared about? Disappointment washed over her as she realized the depth of Tyrian's coldness.

With a trembling hand, Nova shut her eyes, preparing herself for what she was about to do. But before she could act, Tyrian's hand snatched hers, wrenching the sharp piece away and preventing her from hurting herself. A faint bruise formed on her neck where the sharp edge had grazed her skin, but it paled in comparison to the anguish in her heart.

Though Tyrian's demeanor remained harsh, there was a hint of something else in his eyes—perhaps frustration, or even a trace of worry. "Are you truly that desperate?" he muttered incredulously.

Tears streamed down Nova's cheeks as she looked up at him, her heart heavy with fear and sorrow. Meanwhile, Tyrian's sigh echoed through the room, his frustration palpable as he rubbed his forehead in exasperation. 

"Fine, do whatever you want," he stated coldly, his voice devoid of emotion as he turned to leave the bathroom. "But you'll regret this. I will not see that child as mine."

As he disappeared from sight, Nova's heart sank at his words. She knew that Tyrian's rejection would only make their situation more difficult, adding another layer of pain and uncertainty to an already tumultuous journey.

But even as tears streamed down her cheeks, Nova knew that she had made the right choice—for herself, for her child, and for the hope of a future that held the promise of love and redemption.