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Chapter 39: Breathless
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2025-02-02 12:00:07It wasn’t the clouds that told me a storm was coming—it was Dad’s silence. The criticism in his eyes was burning me, and I had no idea why. Well… maybe a bit?
"I heard what happened to Liam," he said, slicing his lunch into a perfect diamond cut before taking a bite. "That was a terrible accident."Nodding, I straightened my spine, careful not to let it touch the backrest of the chair. "Yes, it was very... unfortunate. But he was already stable and awake when we left the hospital," I said, not really having an appetite.After I explained everything to Liam, I gave him a headache—a massive one. The doctors had to give him painkillers and a sedative. They reminded us about his situation, but Valerian was too eager to slap Liam with reality.Just as I joined my father for lunch, Valerian had to take his own road to put a halt to another problem we had. Athena Winters.Valerian promised me that whatever the result, nothing would change. I cou
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"One line, negative. Two lines, positive," I read out loud from the box. "Fifth time, okay..."Biting my lower lip, I stared at the result, waiting for it to show up. Tapping my heel on the tiled floor repeatedly, I counted the ticking of the clock as I listened to the loud pounding of my heart."Oh, shit..." I muttered, staring at the two lines on the PT. "I'm really pregnant," I murmured, covering my mouth.I looked at myself in the mirror, checking for the changes I had been feeling in my body.My breasts were full and raw. I cupped them with my hands and felt their sensitivity. Then, I caressed my flat stomach over the silvery dress I wore. My own flesh and blood is growing inside of me."Oh my gosh, Val. You're going to be a freaking father," I whispered, sighing in both tension and excitement."Ellie, are you good in there?" Valerian's voice came from outside the bathroom door. "What's taking you so long? Are you okay?"Panic rushed through me. I didn’t know which item to toss a
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"Bitch!" Bree groaned, grabbing a couple of glasses of champagne for herself as we sat at a table in the corner. "And when are you planning to make a news flash to our family?"Clutching my head, I felt myself sinking to the floor. I didn’t know if it was from stress or the smell of alcohol from Bree’s breath slapping me in the face.I groaned silently, partly regretting that I chose to leave Valerian’s side to stay with my sister, who has a twenty-four-hour open mouth—like a freaking convenience store."You found out, and I’m pretty sure Dad will know the moment your mouth reaches his ear," I said in a low tone, shifting my weight to my other leg as I grew tired of standing there for barely a few minutes.Maybe it was because having Bree around just naturally drained me. It wasn’t exactly a compliment, but it wasn’t much of an insult either, because—sometimes—her company could help.I wasn’t worried about her or Dad figuring that part out. It was Valerian I was getting antsy about. I
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A sharp sting shot across my scalp as I tumbled, grasping onto the fabric of someone's dress. I barely had time to absorb what was happening when a familiar, disgusted scoff filled my ears.From the floor, I lifted my head just to find Athena dusting off her hands as she stood tall next to—who I assumed was—her father, who had just served Valerian a fist to the jaw.Francisco Lewes.Judgment settled in me. Athena's father had silver-streaked hair combed back with precision. Just like his daughter, his face was nothing like a devil’s, yet dark in intentions. But unlike his daughter, he held the expression of a man bearing authority, while Athena… well, she was just her.By the way the staff and guests hesitated to react, I could conclude that he held weight.I immediately clutched my stomach, fearing for what was inside it.Valerian didn't waste time pushing himself up as he wiped the side of his lips. He gave me a hand and even helped me brush my hair away from my face.Relief flooded
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I've decided to say it—or rather, I'm trying to make myself spill it—but the moment doesn’t feel right yet."I'm pregnant." That’s what I wanted to say. Straightforward, no dilly-dallying, just those two words.Easy to say, but too hard for me to do.I gathered a bit of courage a few minutes ago, but it feels like I used up all my gallantry and ran out of juice to speak up.Oh, myself. When am I going to change?"Baby..." he pleaded for my lips. "My cheek hurts. Kiss me," he begged, almost pouting like a kid asking for something sweet.Maybe that revelation should be kept for later. Not after what just happened. I’ll find the right time.His hand massaged the back of my head, soothing where I felt Athena’s nails almost dig my brains out. He leaned his forehead against mine as he gave quick but continuous pecks on my lips.My smile widened at his actions. "I brought us here to keep your cheek from swelling up, not to smooch around," I chided, putting some distance between us again."So
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Her hair was in a messy ponytail, her face painted in deep colors, matching her black get-up, making her seem like she came from the dark world.She’d been gone for a while and came back with a dark motive. But that friendly smile she’s giving doesn’t exactly help me accept her lightly.I gave Valerian a glance. He’s composed, as always. Am I the only one getting antsy in this situation?Now I hope Bree didn’t leave."Don't look at me like that," Rachel snorted, snatching Valerian's drink and taking a gulp.The sommelier Bree was flirting with earlier approached us, but Valerian showed his palm."I'm not here to ruin anything, if that's what you think this is." She rolled her eyes and pulled out her recorder. "I'm just here to make a story. I promise to be a nice girl."She meant no harm? Then why do I feel like she does?The way she flicked her hand, the way she beamed at me—it gives me trauma. And should I even mention her recklessness that almost cost Liam his life?I can't help bu
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"Earth to E, hello?" Bree waved her hand in front of my face. "Where is your head?"Blinking twice, I adjusted my dark glasses—the ones protecting me from being recognized or, worse, attracting someone who’d want to ruin my day.There were eyes everywhere. The city was the most chaotic place to be at the moment, especially now that what happened at the event had started circulating on the internet.Athena was playing the victim, but unfortunately, a lot of people weren’t falling for her kind of drama even after the press conference she held.But I pushed her aside in my mind. I had a bigger problem to deal with. Yes, bigger than her."I'm doing my best to suggest a lot of things, and you're not listening?" Bree groaned, pointing at the notes on her phone. "I thought you called me for some girl talk, to brainstorm and this and that, but I think I'm the only one talking. And thinking."I clutched my head. "Sorry, it's just that... my mind is blown.""You gave Valerian a 'blow'... job?"
Last Updated : 2025-02-16
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My breath hitched as he placed the last piece of the puzzle. He had aided the jumbled pieces, but still… I'm incomplete.Bree, my own flesh and blood—she betrayed me. Now I understand why she kept pushing me to him. And Dad? Valerian said it all. He was part of this too.Valerian planned this. All of it.My second chance. My engagement. My life with him. I thought this was a fresh start. I didn’t know it would come with a new, more painful trouble.It’s like my whole system shut down, and the only thing I could feel was my heart pounding against my ribs, fueled by my sharpened fury and… heartbreak.“They knew all along, and they let you?” I said. My voice was barely above a whisper, but it cracked like thunder, exposing the storm building up inside me. My eyes clouded.“Don’t blame them, Ellie. If you’re going to be mad at someone, it should only be me,” he said bravely, accepting where he was wrong, denying nothing. “I asked them myself. I made them promises. They only wanted you to
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"Earth to E, hello?" Bree waved her hand in front of my face. "Where is your head?"Blinking twice, I adjusted my dark glasses—the ones protecting me from being recognized or, worse, attracting someone who’d want to ruin my day.There were eyes everywhere. The city was the most chaotic place to be at the moment, especially now that what happened at the event had started circulating on the internet.Athena was playing the victim, but unfortunately, a lot of people weren’t falling for her kind of drama even after the press conference she held.But I pushed her aside in my mind. I had a bigger problem to deal with. Yes, bigger than her."I'm doing my best to suggest a lot of things, and you're not listening?" Bree groaned, pointing at the notes on her phone. "I thought you called me for some girl talk, to brainstorm and this and that, but I think I'm the only one talking. And thinking."I clutched my head. "Sorry, it's just that... my mind is blown.""You gave Valerian a 'blow'... job?"
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When we got to the hospital, Liam was doing better than when we first saw him. He could move more easily, was vomiting less, and was regaining pieces of his memory faster than expected.Even Valerian bragged that he helped him recover quickly.His bruises had faded, but he still needed supervision and a lot of rest since his bones hadn’t completely healed.I remembered the doctor saying it would take at least a month before he could be discharged."That was... fast?" Liam said uncertainly. "How long have you guys been together?" He tilted his head to the side, frowning. His eyes were locked on my hand, where the engagement ring sat. If I had to guess, he looked a bit bewildered.I met Valerian’s gaze. His eyes were droopy, still high from what I did in the car. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his head tilted back while his stare stayed fixed right on me.Moving my tongue in my mouth after taking a mint, I could still taste the sweetness and saltiness of his juices—wh
