CHAPTER 39

The following days passed in a blur for Fiona. The weight of Darwin’s words lingered in her mind, gnawing at the edges of her resolve. She had never been one to let herself be swayed by promises or grand gestures, but something about his vulnerability—the rawness she glimpsed for a split second—had left her questioning everything. But there was more at stake now than just her heart. There was the life growing inside her, the child she had sworn to protect, no matter the cost.

In the dimly lit apartment, Fiona sat at the kitchen table, the morning light spilling in through the windows. The sound of her phone buzzing broke the silence. She glanced at the screen—Thalassa.

“Fiona, we need to talk,” Thalassa’s voice came through the receiver, her tone urgent.

Fiona stood, pacing around the small room. “What is it now?” she asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

“The Newtons. They’re making moves, Fiona. You need to be prepared. William’s not going to stop until he’s completely destroyed you, and Darwin too, if he has to.”

Fiona closed her eyes, her breath coming in short bursts. She had known this moment would come—the moment when the battle would shift from the personal to the public, from emotional to strategic. She couldn’t hide any longer. “I’m not running, Thalassa,” she said quietly, her words carrying the weight of a promise she wasn’t sure she could keep.

“Good,” Thalassa replied, her voice a mix of pride and caution. “But you need to be smart. Darwin might be part of the problem, but he could also be part of the solution. If you play this right, you can take back control.”

Fiona wasn’t sure what that would look like. She hadn’t felt in control of her life for years, not since Darwin had first walked into her world and turned it upside down. Now, she was expected to fight back not just for herself but for the future of her child. But how could she do that when everything she’d ever known seemed to be crumbling?

---

Darwin’s Strategy

Across the city, Darwin sat in his sleek office, the blinds drawn low as he scrolled through another round of press clippings. The media had turned vicious in their portrayal of Fiona, fueling the narrative that she was nothing more than a schemer, a gold-digger hoping to ruin his life. It sickened him. And what disturbed him most was that a part of him believed it—believed that maybe he hadn’t been enough for her, that maybe she was right to walk away.

But he couldn’t afford to wallow in doubt. Not now. He was the leader of an empire. He had built this world, and he would protect it—by any means necessary.

Lucas, his ever-loyal assistant, entered the room, carrying a folder marked with the familiar insignia of Newton Industries. “Sir, we’ve received some intelligence from our sources. William’s been making moves behind the scenes. He’s pressuring our investors, tightening his grip on the media.”

Darwin narrowed his eyes, tossing the papers aside. “And what about Fiona?” His voice was low, dangerous.

“She’s been laying low, staying with Thalassa Carey. No word yet on whether she plans to resurface or not.”

Darwin exhaled sharply, his thoughts racing. “She will. She won’t stay hidden forever. And when she does, I’ll be ready.”

But a small voice in the back of his mind questioned his own readiness. Could he protect her, protect them, when the world seemed determined to tear them apart?

---

The Calculations of an Enemy

William Newton was, as always, two steps ahead. His office, as dark and cold as his intentions, seemed to swallow him whole as he leaned back in his leather chair, a glass of scotch in hand. Across from him sat Bella, her face a mask of uncertainty despite her outward composure. She had been quiet lately, consumed by her jealousy over Fiona, and William had begun to notice.

"You seem distracted," he remarked, a smug smile playing on his lips.

Bella’s eyes flickered with irritation before she masked it with a forced smile. “I’m just thinking about our next move.”

William chuckled. “You mean, Fiona’s next move. You’re still obsessed with her, aren’t you?”

Bella’s jaw tightened. “I don’t trust her. I don’t trust anyone who stands between me and what I want.”

William took a slow sip of his drink, his eyes calculating. “I’ll take care of Fiona. And Darwin, if necessary. But for now, we let them believe they’re in control. Let Fiona think she has a choice. The game is just beginning.”

---

A New Alliance

Fiona had spent the better part of the morning reviewing press statements and investor reports with Thalassa. They were preparing for the storm that was sure to come. Fiona could feel the weight of the world bearing down on her shoulders, but this time, she refused to let herself be a passive player in a game she didn’t understand. She would be the one to rewrite the rules.

“We need to expose William for what he truly is,” Fiona said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. “He’s the one pulling the strings, not Darwin. And the press needs to know that.”

Thalassa looked at her thoughtfully. “It’s a bold move. But it could work. If you can make it stick, it’ll put the spotlight on William’s actions, not yours.”

Fiona nodded. She had spent years watching men like William play their games of power, their games of control, and it was time to take the reins for once. She wasn’t going to let her life be dictated by the whims of powerful men. Not anymore.

---

The Confrontation

The tension between Fiona and Darwin had reached a boiling point. Their communication had been sparse, their interactions limited to terse exchanges. Fiona had made it clear that she wasn’t ready to trust him again, not after everything that had happened. But Darwin wasn’t willing to give up on her—not this time.

The evening air was crisp as Darwin arrived at Thalassa’s apartment. He didn’t knock this time—he simply let himself in, his eyes scanning the room for Fiona.

She stood by the window, looking out at the skyline. She didn’t turn when he entered, but he could feel the shift in the air. The tension between them had always been palpable, but now it was thicker, laden with unspoken words.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” Darwin said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of both frustration and desperation.

Fiona’s shoulders stiffened, but she remained silent.

“I’m not giving up on you, Fiona,” he said, taking a step closer. “And I’m not going to let anyone else dictate our future. Especially not William.”

Fiona’s eyes flickered toward him. “You think you can fix this? After everything you’ve done?”

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “I know I can’t undo the past. But I can damn well fight for our future. For you. For our child.”

Fiona’s breath caught in her throat. The words he spoke were what she had always wanted to hear. But after everything—was it enough?

The silence between them stretched, thick and heavy, until Fiona finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I need you to prove it.”

Darwin’s expression softened, and for the first time in a long while, Fiona saw the man she had once loved. The man who would do anything to protect her.

“Then I’ll prove it, Fiona. I swear to you, I’ll prove it.”

As the city lights flickered beyond the window, Fiona knew this was only the beginning of the battle. The stakes had never been higher, but for the first time in a long time, she was ready to fight. Not just for herself, but for everything she had yet to lose.