Pietro Bianchi was known as the heart and soul of Bianchi Enterprises. His genuine warmth and dedication to his employees had built a loyal and productive team. But in the five— almost six months since Skylar’s kidnapping, that warmth had been replaced by a cold, abrasive demeanour that left his workers bewildered and anxious.The shift was gradual but unmistakable. At first, it was the little things—Pietro snapping at minor mistakes, his impatience in meetings, the way he seemed perpetually distracted. But as the days turned into weeks, his behaviour became increasingly erratic and harsh.His assistant, Marco, had worked with Pietro for years and had seen him through various ups and downs. But this was different. It was as if a dark cloud had descended over Pietro, changing him into someone unrecognizable.One morning, Marco found Pietro in his office, hunched over his desk, surrounded by piles of paperwork. The blinds were drawn, and the only light came from the harsh glow of the
Skylar sat on the edge of the narrow bed in the small spare room Jason had moved her to, her hands resting protectively over her growing belly. She had calculated that she was around six months pregnant, a feat she had managed to keep hidden from Jason for longer than she had thought possible. But now, the signs were becoming too apparent: the leg cramps, the dizzy spells, the swelling in her feet, and the incessant itchiness of her stretched skin.She glanced around the room, its bare walls and single window giving little comfort. Jason had relaxed some of his restrictions, allowing her to move freely around the house more. The illusion of freedom did little to alleviate the fear that gnawed at her insides. Her baby was a fighter, clinging to life against all odds, and Skylar knew she had to find a way to protect them both.Two days later, as she cleared the remnants of their lunch, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She grabbed the edge of the table to steady herself, but her vi
Skylar sat on the edge of the bed in the new, secluded cabin Jason had dragged her to. The room was sparse, much like the last, but there was a palpable sense of isolation that was even more stifling. Jason had come back grim-faced, declaring this their new place for the foreseeable future.“We can’t stay at the old house,” Jason had said, his eyes darting around the cabin. “Someone was lurking too close. We can’t risk it.”Skylar had nodded slowly, her mind racing. The very fact that someone had been close to the old house gave her a glimmer of hope. Maybe Pietro and the police were closing in. She had to hold onto that hope, for her own sake and for the baby’s.The days passed in a monotonous blur. Jason’s paranoia seemed to escalate, yet he oddly became more considerate towards Skylar, urging her to rest while he took on most of the cleaning. “You shouldn’t strain yourself,” he muttered one evening as he wiped down the kitchen counter. “You need to be healthy for when the baby c
Skylar reclined on the worn-out couch in the small cabin, her hands gently resting on her swollen belly. Each kick, each flutter of her baby provided her with a glimmer of hope. Despite the dire circumstances, the signs of life within her reassured her that her child was still fighting, just as she was.Jason had become more attentive as her pregnancy progressed. His paranoia seemed to have ebbed, replaced by a strange kind of domesticity. He cooked for her, brought her water, and insisted she rest more often. It was a disconcerting shift, but Skylar took advantage of his softened demeanour to conserve her strength and protect her baby.One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Skylar sat on the porch, gently rocking back and forth. Jason had gone into town to get supplies, leaving her alone for the first time in weeks. She closed her eyes, listening to the rustle of the leaves and the distant call of birds.A sharp kick jolted h
Skylar doubled over as another contraction rippled through her body. She had tried to keep calm, telling herself that these were just Braxton Hicks contractions. Her baby wasn’t due for another month, but the pain was increasing, and panic was setting in. She clutched her stomach, her breathing ragged. When Jason stormed into the house, Skylar’s pained groans stopped him in his tracks. He frowned, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he demanded. “I’m having contractions,” Skylar gasped. “I think the baby’s coming.” Jason’s suspicion deepened. “Nice try. You think I’m stupid? Trying to distract me while the cops get closer? You called them, didn’t you?” He grabbed a bag, shoving clothes and essentials into it. “We’re leaving.” “No, Jason, please! I’m not lying. The baby’s coming!” Her voice was frantic, tears streaming down her face. She completely disregarded the last of his words. “Shut up!” he barked, dragging her to the car. He threw the b
When the police received Elena’s call and address, they immediately set out to arrest Jason. Detective Harrison, leading the operation, instructed Emilio and Pietro to stay inside the car while they attempted to communicate with Jason. The sirens blared, causing Jason to panic. His fear intensified as the police called out to him with their megaphone, ordering him to surrender. Pietro’s impatience got the best of him. Elena had informed the police that Jason was armed, but as time dragged on, Pietro’s worry for Skylar overwhelmed his caution. Ignoring Detective Harrison’s orders, he made his way into the house. The security alarm and locks had been disengaged by Elena, allowing Pietro easy entry. As he stepped into the living room, he was met with a horrifying sight. Elena and Skylar were covered in blood. Pietro’s heart sank, fearing the worst, until Skylar let out a groan. His eyes landed on the very obvious bump she was sporting. At the same time, her eyes found his, and Pietro
After the initial shock of the entire situation, Pietro and Emilio began to process the reality that Skylar had been pregnant and had just given birth. The weight of this revelation hit them as they stood in the hospital nursery, staring at the tiny incubator where Skylar’s premature daughter was squirming around. Emilio approached Pietro, who was leaning against the glass, his eyes fixed on the little one. “She’s so tiny,” Emilio whispered, awe and sadness mingling in his voice.Pietro nodded, his gaze never leaving his daughter. “Yeah, she is. I can’t believe she went through all of this alone.”Emilio placed a comforting hand on Pietro’s shoulder. “None of us knew. If we had, we would have been there for her.”“I know,” Pietro said softly, his voice breaking. “I just wish I could’ve been there. I should’ve protected her.”“We all feel that way,” Emilio replied. “But right now, Skylar needs us to be strong for her and the baby.”Pietro turned to face his friend and hopefully,
Skylar and Pietro finally had a moment alone, a brief respite from the whirlwind of emotions and visitors that had surrounded them since her rescue. The hospital room was quiet, with only the gentle beeping of monitors filling the space. Pietro pulled a chair close to Skylar’s bed, taking her hand in his.“I’m so sorry, Pietro,” Skylar began, her voice trembling. “I should have listened to everyone. I should have stayed inside and rested, especially knowing the danger I was in. But I didn’t, and look what happened.”Pietro shook his head, his eyes softening with love. “No, Skylar. You don’t need to apologize. What happened wasn’t your fault. Jason’s actions were unpredictable. The important thing is that you’re safe now.”Skylar looked down, tears pooling in her eyes. “But I feel so guilty. I put our baby at risk. I- I didn’t even know I was pregnant. And I wasn’t there for our family.”Pietro gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Skylar, stop. None of this is yo