Chapter 23 Don't be Delusional

Waking up in the morning, Alayna got ready as usual. Within minutes, her wrinkled pajamas from sleeping had been replaced with a simple, but still elegant, blazer.

She stepped in front of the mirror, her gaze focused on her reflection. Her hair was neatly styled, and her face was bright with a touch of light make-up.

When she turned around to make sure her appearance was on point, her eyes fell on her stomach. She rubbed it gently.

Inside of there, a new life would grow and develop. It didn't seem fair if Alayna took that life away. That little creature had the right to live and had the right to have a father.

She felt like she was talking to an unborn life as she whispered, "We will have many adventures together, my little one. I will protect you as best as I can, and I will give you as much love as I have."

Alayna came out of her room. She rushed to go upstairs.

Her heart beat so fast every time she approached that one large room. Because she knew that Lev was hiding something there. He even always warned her not to go near his room.

The closer she stepped, the more her curiosity grew. She clenched her fists, before knocking on the door.

There was no response at all. Reflexively she turned the doorknob. But unfortunately, the door was locked. She groaned, then she went back down the stairs.

Her stomach felt very hungry, she decided to head to the kitchen.

It felt so strange, her hunger felt like it was multiplying. And again, when she opened the refrigerator, the smell of mixed ingredients inside made her nauseous.

With a deep feeling of nausea, Alayna ran to the sink and tried to vomit the contents of her stomach there. However, only water came out, considering that she had not had time to fill her stomach yet. In her confusion, she caught some water in her mouth and gargled to try to ease it.

A moment later, she felt a bit better, but the feeling of nausea was still with her. It felt very uncomfortable.

"Why are you looking for me?"

The deep voice startled Alayna, so she turned around quickly.

"Did you hear me? Why didn't you come out of your room and talk to me?" she asked.

"I can do whatever I like. Because this is my house. And you just came here, remember?" Lev snorted. "You are no different from the cleaning service that comes to this house. I pay you very well."

Alayna clenched her fists tightly. Her heart felt pricked hearing his words. She wanted to slap his mouth so badly, but what Lev said wasn't wrong. This house indeed belonged to him and she had no special position as their marriage was not real.

"But I'm not a cleaning service as they only do your orders and you pay them. More precisely, we work together and we have the same position. You have to remember that too," Alayna replied calmly as she sat on the chair.

"Huh? You're just providing a different service, Alayna. I think you're smart enough to understand that." Lev smirked as his eyes followed Alayna's movement.

"I'm not a prostitute, Lev!" Alayna raised her voice, her expression full of anger. "You were the one who came to me and broke the contract's agreement."

Lev smiled sarcastically, feeling unaffected by Alayna's argument. "I can do anything," he said in a cold tone. "In fact, you are very lucky to be able to feel my muscular body. There are many women out there who queue up just to get the touch of a handsome billionaire like me. Why are you so arrogant and just accept it, huh?"

Alayna felt even more angry at Lev's condescending words. "I'm not one of those women lining up to get a touch from you. I deserve respect and proper treatment, not to be just an object."

"It turns out you are more arrogant than I imagined. But I like it. The challenge is really fun."

"It's not about being arrogant or not, Lev. It's about integrity and self-respect."

Lev laughed. "Yes, that's what I admired about you, and made me interested in working with you. But now you've fallen into my hands. You can't boast about your arrogancy anymore."

Alayna didn't understand Lev's thoughts. While she was just being independent and confident, Lev even assumed that she was an arrogant woman.

When in fact, it was a strong form of self-defense that she built to protect herself from unfair pressure and expectations. Her strength and integrity were valuable assets that allowed her to stand firm in difficult situations like these.

It took a lot of time, tears, and courage to build such confidence for her. She needed to protect herself when no men could do it for her before. Even that defense still collapsed due to her mood swings and she almost ended her life.

But that won't happen again. She won't let Lev be able to step on her anymore.

"Don't be delusional, Lev. In this case, my self-worth will never be measured by anything you can offer or take from me. I'm still the same person." Alayna asserted herself steadily.

"That's good then. So we're good now. You don't need to discuss this anymore. Just drop it now."

"No. I have to discuss this."

"About what?"

Alayna took a deep breath before saying, "I'm pregnant. I went to the doctor earlier."

"Abort the pregnancy! I don't want a child!" Lev suddenly reacted very strongly.

"Why?" Alayna asked in surprise. Her forehead frowned when she saw Lev's change in emotions.

"Do what I tell you! Do you want to take my property using that child? No, you can't do that."

"What? Are you mad? I never planned this pregnancy. It's you who caused this to happen."

"You just have to abort it. What's so hard about it?" Lev glared. "Besides, it's only been two weeks. Don't try to fool me! You just had a relationship with Dafa, and now you're pregnant with his child, right? You should just admit it."

"Dafa has nothing to do with this pregnancy."

Lev still looked angry and suspicious. "How should I know? I know you spend time with him at the office."

Alayna firmly emphasized, "We didn't do anything. Why are you changing the topic and not discussing this pregnancy seriously?"