Chapter 005

Lila

A sharp sting in the back of my hand pulled me from the haze of unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered, heavy and sluggish, as I blinked against the sterile light of the hospital room. An IV drip was attached to the back of my hand, and the faint beeping of machines filled the silence.

“She’s awake—call the doctor,” a nurse’s voice cut through the fog.

I turned my head slightly, finding a kind-eyed nurse rushing to my side. She was middle-aged, with a warm smile that somehow managed to put me at ease, even amidst the confusion clawing at my chest.

“Are you feeling okay, sweetie?” She asked, gently taking my blood pressure.

I nodded weakly, my throat too dry to form words. She handed me a glass of water, her gaze softening with pity.

“You need to be extra careful now,” She said, her tone firm but caring. “I know life can get hectic, especially for someone your age, but you have to prioritize your health first. In your condition, it’s critical.”

Her words didn’t make sense, but before I could respond, the door opened, and the doctor walked in, his face stern as he reviewed a file handed to him by another nurse.

“As expected…” he muttered.

The weight of his disappointment sent a ripple of unease through me. My pulse quickened as his eyes met mine, his expression softening into a practiced smile.

“Miss,” he began gently, “I understand that many women worry about their weight these days, but skipping meals can be harmful—especially to your baby’s health. Malnutrition affects development during pregnancy, and…”

“Baby?” The word slipped from my lips, my voice barely a whisper.

The room seemed to tilt, and my heart stopped in my chest.

Pregnant?

My hands trembled as realization dawned. I’d missed my period this month, but I’d attributed it to stress, the chaos of my life. Not once had it occurred to me that…

My mind raced back to that night at the club, to the stranger who had left an imprint on my body and soul. My hands instinctively moved to my stomach. “Doctor…” My voice cracked, trembling with fear and hope. “Is my baby okay?”

“Yes, he’s fine,” the doctor reassured me with a small smile. “But you must take better care of yourself. For your sake and the baby’s.”

I exhaled shakily, my emotions a chaotic storm. Relief that the baby was unharmed mingled with dread at the road ahead.

The door opened again, and a man I didn’t recognize stepped into the room. His jaw was tense, his amber eyes scanning the scene as he moved toward the doctor. “Is she okay? Is she out of danger?” He asked, his voice filled with urgency.

The doctor’s smile widened, and he glanced between the stranger and me. “Ah, you must be her husband. Congratulations—you’re going to be a father soon.”

My mouth fell open, but before I could correct him, the man stepped forward, his lips curving into a charming, confident smile. “Thank you, Doctor. I’ll make sure to take care of them both,” he said smoothly, his eyes meeting mine with a tad of relief.

The doctor began rattling off dietary recommendations and prescriptions, speaking as though this man were truly my partner. My thoughts spiraled, returning to the reality I’d been avoiding.

The father of my baby wasn’t this stranger. It was the man from that night—the one whose name I didn’t even know but had dreamed of a lot since the night I spent with him.

How could I have been so reckless? I’d ruined everything. If I hadn’t run from the engagement, my father and Sheldon would’ve forced me to terminate this pregnancy. But now…now I had a choice. I would raise this child alone, far from their toxicity and control.

“Hey,” the stranger’s voice broke through my thoughts, his hand waving casually in front of my face.

I blinked, meeting his curious gaze, my confusion giving way to irritation.

“Care to tell me what’s going on? Why didn’t you correct the doctor when he assumed you’re the father of my baby?” I demanded, my tone light but threaded with annoyance.

His lips twitched into a small smile as he perched himself on the edge of my bed. “Calm down. You need to stay relaxed—for the sake of our baby,” he said jokingly, his voice thick with mock concern.

I shot him a glare so cold it could’ve frozen the air between us. “Don’t joke about this.”

He raised his hands in surrender, his smile faltering. “Fine. I get it. You’re not in the mood for humor. My bad.” His expression sobered, his gaze steady on mine. “I had to lie to the doctor.”

“Why?” My arms crossed over my chest, my face set in an unreadable mask.

“You were accidentally hit by my car,” he admitted, his tone low, as if saying the words aloud might make it worse. 

My jaw dropped, and I stared at him in stunned disbelief. “That was your car? You could’ve killed my baby!” I shrieked, my voice rising as a rush of anger bubbled in my chest.

He winced but didn’t back down. “No, I wouldn’t have. Look at you—you don’t have a scratch on you. I pulled the brakes the moment I saw you, but by the time the car stopped, you’d already fainted. I swear, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds,” he explained quickly, his words tumbling over each other. “If I were a bad person, would I have brought you to the hospital? Would I have stayed here to make sure you were okay?”

His words, however maddening, had a thread of truth to them.

“I’m here to make amends,” he added, his tone softer now.

I narrowed my eyes, weighing his sincerity.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek card, holding it out to me. “Look, I know you’re going to raise this baby on your own, and when I brought you here, it was clear you weren’t doing great. I want to help you—whatever you need. Consider it my way of making things right.” 

Hesitantly, I took the card, my eyes scanning the embossed name: Julian. Beneath it, the title Manager glinted. He worked for one of the most powerful companies in the country.

The weight of my predicament pressed down on me like an anchor. I couldn’t keep this baby on a waitress’s salary, not while hiding from Sheldon, my father, and their search parties.

“Can you really help me?” My voice wavered, the vulnerability in it foreign even to my own ears. “I need a job—and a way to hide my identity.”

Julian’s lips curved into an easy, reassuring smile. “Consider it done. But…” He cocked an eyebrow, his curiosity apparent. “Mind telling me who you’re running from?”

I stiffened, the question a crack in the fragile trust I was trying to have. “If you want to help me,” I said firmly, “don’t ask me any questions.”

His brows lifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Then, he shrugged, his grin returning. “Fair enough. Deal.”