Chapter 6 Surprise confession

Aubrey's pov ;

Next day, I hastily packed a few essential things and rushed to Sophia's house with my heart racing with apprehension.

Once we were inside, I collapsed onto her couch, feeling utterly exhausted from replaying everything over and over again in my head. Sophia disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water.

"Here, drink this and relax," she said softly, taking a seat next to me and rubbing my back. "You need to stay hydrated, especially now."

I took a small sip, feeling the cool water soothe my dry throat. Sophia placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I can't believe this," she fumed angrily. "That bastard Ryder has no right to do this to you. How could he stoop so low?"

Tears welled up in my eyes again as the pain and betrayal washed over me anew. "I don't know," I whispered brokenly. "He's trying to ruin my life, Sophia. I just don't understand why he's doing this. Why can't he just leave me alone?"

She cursed under her breath before speaking again in a steely tone. "Because he's a control freak, that's why. He can't stand the idea of you being happy without him. He wants to control you, and when he can't, he lashes out like this."

I placed the glass down on the table with a shaky hand and buried my face in my hands. My own mother had turned against me, and now Ryder was making sure I had nowhere to turn.

But then Sophia's warm embrace enveloped me, her arm wrapped tightly around me in a comforting hug. "You're staying here with me," she declared firmly. "I won't let him hurt you anymore. You and your baby are safe here."

I whispered a shaky thank you. She continued with a calm and reassuring voice. "We'll figure this out together."

I shook my head. It's not easy at all. "But how do I fight someone like him? He has so much power."

Her eyes flashed with determination as she replied, "There are always ways to fight back. We'll look into legal options, and we'll get help. Ryder is not invincible, no matter how much he thinks he is."

I nodded. "You're right. I've been through too much to let him destroy me now."

"That's the spirit," She beamed at me and hugged me. "Now, rest, and then we will go see a lawyer."

I nodded. The constant waves of nausea and vomiting had made it impossible for me to keep my pregnancy a secret any longer. So, I at least decided to tell her, my closest friend, and her reaction was a mix of shock and extreme happiness. She enveloped me in a tight embrace, tears of joy shining in her eyes.

"Aubrey, this is such wonderful news!" she exclaimed, her smile radiating warmth. "You're going to be a mommy. Oh, I can't wait to be a cool aunt!"

Her support meant everything to me. As the weeks went by, we settled into a routine where Sophia made sure I ate properly and took care of myself. A doctor's appointment was looming ahead, bringing me both excitement and nervousness. Before that, Sophia suggested we consult with a lawyer to understand our options against Ryder.

But we got no help from there. The lawyer told us that Ryder's actions, such as terminating the business partnership with my father's company, are within his rights as a business owner. He is not legally obligated to maintain a business relationship if he chooses not to.

The drive back to the company was filled with a heavy silence. I could feel the exhaustion seeping into my bones. When we finally arrived, Sophia was immediately swept up in a flurry of work, leaving me to wait for her in the lobby.

As I sat alone. A few minutes later, Sophia appeared with an apologetic face.

"I'm so sorry, Aubrey. I have to deal with a few things here," she explained, her voice rushed. "I'll ask Alex to come pick you up and take you back to my place, okay?"

I nodded numbly, grateful for her consideration. "That's fine. Don't worry about me."

She gave me a quick hug before hurrying off to attend to her duties. I found a quiet corner to sit and wait while trying to calm my racing mind. It wasn't long before Alex arrived.

"Hey, Aubrey," he greeted warmly as we walked towards his car. "Let's get you home."

The car ride was silent, but not uncomfortable. Alex seemed to understand my need for peace and respected it. I leaned my head against the cool window, watching the city lights flicker by in a blur. All I wanted was to sink into bed and forget about everything that had happened.

When we arrived at Sophia's apartment building, Alex kindly helped me out of the car. To my surprise, before I could say goodbye he took hold of my hands in his own. Something about his demeanor made me feel uneasy.

"Aubrey, I know things are tough for you right now," he began with a solemn face and awkward vibes. "But I want you to know that you don't have to face this alone. I've...I've had feelings for you for a while now, and—"

My eyes widened and a wave of panic washed over me, cutting off his words. "Alex, please stop," I interrupted, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "I'm pregnant."

His own eyes widened in surprise, their emerald depths reflecting the shock and confusion he felt. A flush of red spread across his cheeks, giving away his embarrassment as he ran a hand through his hair nervously.

"Oh, wow," he stammered, his voice cracking slightly. "I didn't see that coming."

I let out a nervous laugh, trying to ease the tension that had built up between us. "Yeah, my life is already a mess. I really don't want to mess up yours too."

He chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "You're not a mess, Aubrey. You're going through a lot, but that doesn't change who you are. My career might be at its peak, but that doesn't mean I can't be here for you."

He reached out and gently cupped my face in his hands. His eyes met mine with such sincerity and understanding that it made my heart swell. "I will always value you as a friend, and I promise I would never do anything to hurt you or our friendship. But if you ever feel ready to move on, just know that I'll be here for you. You can always find me."

I smiled. "Thank you. That means more to me than you know."

He pulled me in a friendly hug and I returned it. But as we hugged I felt like we were being watched.

It was as if someone's piercing gaze was fixed upon us, sending shivers down my spine and making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I pulled back abruptly, scanning our surroundings with nervous eyes. Was it just my mind playing tricks on me, or did someone truly lurk in the shadows?

Alex noticed my sudden shift in demeanour and his brow furrowed with concern. "Aubrey, what's wrong?"

I forced a smile, trying to brush off the uneasy sensation that lingered. "Nothing, I just...thought I saw something."

He followed my gaze, his expression turning serious. "Do you want me to check it out?"

I shook my head, trying to convince myself that it was nothing. "No, it's probably just my nerves acting up. I've been on edge lately."

He nodded understandingly, but his worry didn't fade. "Okay, but let me know if anything feels off."

I nodded gratefully. "I will. Thank you, Alex."

As we made our way inside Sophia's apartment building, I couldn't resist casting one last glance over my shoulder. The street appeared empty and still, but the sense of being watched refused to leave me. Maybe it was just my imagination running wild or perhaps Ryder's influence reached further than I ever imagined.

Regardless, I knew I had to remain vigilant and keep my guard up at all times.

Once inside Sophia's cozy apartment, I took a deep breath in an attempt to shed the lingering paranoia that clung to me like a second skin. Alex stayed for a few more minutes before returning to work, ensuring that I was settled and comfortable before leaving.

As I lay on the couch, reflecting on the events of the day, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. I had too much to fight for now.

The clock read 2:47 AM, and the world outside my window was still as dark as ever. My body was wracked with exhaustion, yet my mind refused to let me sleep. I could feel my health deteriorating downward, likely a result of the constant stress that had been plaguing me.

After tossing and turning for what felt like hours, I finally gave up and headed to the kitchen for some water. The apartment was quiet, unnervingly so. Every small noise seemed to echo off the walls.

Just as I reached for a glass, the doorbell rang. My heart skipped a beat, my body on high alert. It had to be Sophia returning from work late, but a sense of unease crept over me.

I hesitantly approached the door and cautiously opened it, only to find Ryder standing on the other side. His imposing figure took up most of the doorway, and my breath caught in my throat at the sight of him.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded in a shock.

He pushed past me without invitation, his expression a mix of anger and satisfaction. "I came to see you."

Before I could even process what was happening, he grabbed me and pulled me towards me. Fright flooded through me as I struggled against his hold. "Let go of me, Ryder!"

He held onto me tighter, his face dangerously close to mine. "You think you can just walk away from everything and everyone you've ever known?"

"I'm not coming back," I said firmly, pushing against his chest with all my strength. "You can't make me. Why keep repeating the same thing over and over again? I thought I made it clear about the divorce."

A look of irritation crossed his face. "I know why you're not ready to come back. I saw the pictures."

Confusion filled me as I looked up at him. "What pictures?"

With a forceful shove, he thrust a set of glossy photographs into my face. My heart raced as I snatched them from his grasp, my face burning with both anger and embarrassment. It was a picture of me and Alex. So, my suspicion was real.

"You were spying on me?" I yelled, my voice breaking with emotion.

He sneered at me. "It's not spying when you're making it so obvious with your little affair."

My blood boiled at the accusation. "Don't be ridiculous."

His expression grew even more menacing. "Don't play innocent with me. How long has this been going on? How long have you been sleeping with that actor? Is that why you wanted a divorce, so you could have your fun life with him?"

I was stunned, unable to believe his audacity. "You're insane! I'm not having an affair with Alex. This is just another one of your sick games."

His face darkened with rage. "So, you're trying to frame me for cheating, but the truth is you're the one who's been unfaithful. You wanted to get rid of me so you could be with him, didn't you?"

I shook my head in disbelief, my frustration bubbling over. "You have no idea what you're talking about. This isn't about some nonexistent affair. It's about how you've treated me like garbage for years. You're the reason our marriage fell apart."

"I know what I saw. And I won't let you get away with this."

"Get away with what?" I shouted, my voice echoing off the walls of the apartment. "You've manipulated everything and everyone to make my life miserable. I'm done playing your twisted games."

For a brief moment, Ryder's face softened, but the dangerous glint in his eyes remained. "You can get rid of this marriage so easily? If you won't come back to me, I'll make sure everyone knows exactly what kind of person you are."

I glared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. "I don't care what you do. I'm not going back to you, and I refuse to let you control me any longer."

His expression hardened once again. "I was controlling you? I wish I had controlled you because, by that, you wouldn't be so bold to have an affair."

His words were spinning my head and knocking me off balance. I stumbled, my body lurching forward, but his arms caught me before I could fall. His large hand rested on my belly, and for a moment, all I could feel was panic surging through every cell of my being.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice a mix of concern and suspicion.

I quickly pushed away from him, my heart pounding in my chest. The last thing I needed was for him to find out about the pregnancy. But as he studied my expression with narrowed eyes, I knew it was only a matter of time before he put the pieces together.

"What are you hiding from me?" he demanded, his tone sharp and accusatory.

I glared at him, willing myself to stay calm despite the chaos inside me. "Just leave, Ryder."

His gaze held mine for a long moment, his intense stare making me feel vulnerable and exposed. "Is this your final decision?"

"Yes," I said firmly while trying to keep my voice steady.

A smirk spread across his face as he took a step closer, towering over me. He leaned down until his lips were dangerously close to my ear. His hot breath sent shivers down my spine as he whispered, "Everything that happens from now on will be your fault."

I met his dark eyes with anger and defiance. "Fuck off."

His jaw clenched tightly, his expression hardening even more. Without another word, he stormed out of the apartment, the force of the slammed door reverberating through the empty house.

What this is up to now?