Chapter 1

Elarie gasped as a sharp pain shot through her abdomen, jolting her awake. The dark room around her was still and silent. And the only sound was her ragged breathing as she clutched her stomach. It was the middle of the night. So it was far too late for anyone to be awake in the Newton household. But the pain was unbearable now. And she knew she couldn’t wait any longer.

Her eyes darted to the bag she had prepared for this exact moment. She had packed it days ago as she was anticipating the arrival of the one thing she had kept secret from everyone, especially her father. Grimacing, she swung her legs off the bed and forced herself to stand. She took deep breaths as she willed herself to move through the pain. Then she grabbed the bag and slipped out of her room, careful not to make any noise.

Each step down the hallway felt like a monumental task as she struggled to breathe through the pain. Reaching the front door, she hesitated only briefly before slipping outside.

She didn’t know that Stephanie was standing at her bedroom balcony, gazing down at the quiet street. She saw Elarie step out of the house. She noticed how stiff and hurried her movements were. She watched as her stepsister made her way down to the road. Stephanie's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she leaned forward slightly, catching sight of Elarie waving down a cab that had just pulled up to the curb. She couldn't hear what Elarie said to the driver. But something about the way she clutched her stomach made Stephanie’s heart skip a beat. Whatever Elarie was up to, it wasn’t just a midnight stroll.

Meanwhile, Elarie managed to get inside the cab. 

“To the hospital, please,” she told the driver, sinking back into the seat.

As the car sped through the quiet streets, Elarie’s mind began to drift, replaying the events that had led her to this moment. She had been so careful to keep it all hidden. The night that had changed everything was supposed to be a fun one. A rare moment where she felt like she truly belonged. One of her classmates had invited her to a birthday party. And for the first time, she had allowed herself to relax. It was meant to be a happy occasion. 

But after one drink, everything went wrong.

Her vision blurred. And her head spun. Then soon, darkness claimed her. When she woke the next morning, she was alone in a strange bed, naked under the sheets. She had no idea what had happened or who had been with her. But the reality became painfully clear when, weeks later, she discovered she was pregnant.

The pregnancy had thrown her life into turmoil. She couldn’t let anyone find out, especially her father. Alexander Newton was a strict and imposing man. And Elarie knew that if he ever learned the truth, he would never forgive her. At first, she considered ending it. Abortion seemed like the only way out. She had even made it to the clinic once. But when the moment came, she couldn’t go through with it. 

Despite everything, she couldn’t bring herself to take the life growing inside her. Instead, she hid the pregnancy for months, wearing loose clothes and coming up with excuses to keep her father, stepmother, and stepsister from noticing. She avoided family dinners and school events, spending more and more time alone in her room.

But now, it was too late to hide anymore. Her time had come.

The cab pulled up to the hospital. Elarie clutched her stomach as another wave of pain hit. She paid the driver and hurried inside. After what felt like an eternity, she was admitted. And hours later, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. 

“Daniel…” she named him. The moment she held him in her arms, all the fear and doubt melted away. He was hers. And she loved him more than her life.

Exhausted, Elarie was taken to a ward to rest. She fell into a deep sleep, relieved that the hardest part was over. But when she woke up, the sight that greeted her filled her with dread.

“Dad!” The word escaped her lips in a gasp as her eyes widened in shock.