Chapter 7 Going back to him?

Aubrey's pov ;

I collapsed onto the couch, drenched in sweat and panting heavily. The pressure of his threats and the upheaval of the evening felt almost suffocating. Closing my eyes, I focused on slowing my breathing and calming my racing heart.

With a shaky breath, I leaned back when Sophia's voice cut through the haze of my thoughts. "Aubrey, are you okay? What happened?"

She rushed into the living room and pulled me into a tight hug, her eyes scanning my face for any signs of injury.

"I just saw Ryder existing through the hallways. Why was he here? Did he do something to you?" She asked worriedly.

I could barely manage a shake of my head, my throat closing up. I was too overwhelmed to speak, my whole body was trembling.

Sophia's concern deepened as she felt my forehead. "You're sweating so much. We need to get you to the doctor."

"I'm fine," I tried to protest weakly, but Sophia wasn't having any of it.

"No, you're not fine," she said firmly, already pulling me toward the door. "We're going to the hospital. Come on."

I didn't have the strength to argue, so I let her guide me out of the apartment and into her car. The drive to the hospital was a blur, my thoughts were messed up. By the time we arrived, I was on the edge of tears and passing out.

At the hospital, we were quickly seen by a doctor. Sophia filled out the necessary paperwork while I sat in the waiting room, trying to steady my breathing. After a short wait, the doctor called us into an examination room.

Dr. Reynolds, greeted us with a reassuring smile. "Hello, Aubrey. I hear you've been under a lot of stress. Let's take a look at you."

He conducted a thorough examination, checking my blood pressure, temperature, and overall well-being. He listened carefully as I described the events of the evening and my current symptoms.

"Your blood pressure is elevated, and you're quite sweaty," He noted, his brow furrowing in concern. "Stress can have serious effects, especially during pregnancy. It's important we address this now."

He took a few more measurements and conducted an ultrasound to ensure the baby was okay. The comforting sound of the heartbeat filled my ears and though I was relieved, the stress still gnawed at me.

"Everything looks good with the baby," Dr. Reynolds said after a moment, but his expression remained serious. "However, the stress you're under could impact your pregnancy if it continues. You need to manage your stress levels to avoid complications."

Sophia's face tightened with anger. "It's because of Ryder. He's causing you all this stress. I wish I could disappear him from your life.

Dr. Reynolds continued. "It's crucial to minimise stressful situations. Here's what you need to do: avoid any further conflicts or stressful interactions. Make sure you're getting enough rest, eat balanced meals, and stay hydrated. Regular prenatal visits are essential to monitor your health and the baby's progress."

I nodded, feeling angry but also despair. Ryder's actions were not only hurting me but also putting my baby at risk. I cursed him silently, my heart aching with the thought of him causing harm even before the baby was born.

Sophia and I arrived back at her apartment. As we stepped inside, Sophia's phone suddenly rang. She answered it quickly, her eyes widening as she listened. The conversation grew heated, and she started yelling into the phone after a while.

A surge of panic gripped me as I watched her, my heart racing. I approached her with a trembling hand. "Sophia, what's going on?"

She rubbed her temples after ending the call, her face pale and troubled. "I need to go to the company."

"What happened?" I asked urgently, my anxiety spiking.

She hesitated at first, clearly reluctant to share. But seeing my distress, she finally spoke. "51% of our company's shares have been sold to a big corporation. They're practically taking over the company."

I stared at her in utter shock. "Wait, what? How does that even work?"

Sophia took a deep breath. "Our company is privately held, which means the shares are owned by a small group of investors and stakeholders. When someone buys 51% of the shares, they essentially gain majority control over the company. They can influence major decisions, and with that much control, they could even push for changes in management or policies. Ryder, that bastard!"

My hand flew to my mouth in disbelief. "Are you saying Ryder did this?"

Her expression was grim as she nodded slowly. "Yes. Ryder and his associates have sold their shares to a large corporation. It's a strategic move to gain leverage and control over our company. The situation is dire. If the new owners decide to make significant changes or sell off parts of the business, it could lead to our company's collapse."

My mind reeled with the realisation. Ryder's threats weren't just empty words—he was actively sabotaging my life and now Sophia's as well. My anger flared uncontrollably. "So that's what that bastard meant by everything being my fault. He's trying to ruin me in every possible way!"

"This would affect everyone involved with the company—employees, investors, and their families. Ryder is using his power to make sure we're left with nothing," She groaned sadly.

I clenched my fists, feeling rage and helplessness. "Can we do something to avoid this?"

She sighed helplessly. "I don't know. I'm going to the office now to try and assess the damage and figure out our next steps. I need to see if there's anything we can do to mitigate the impact."

As she prepared to leave, I felt a deep sense of resolve. Ryder's actions were cruel and destructive, but I wasn't going to let him destroy everything I cared about.

I need to meet this asshole. And for that I have to do exactly what that bastard wanted.

Go back to him to meet him.