Chapter 3

Vanessa’s POV 

What was this madness? I tried to sit up, but the room was still spinning. Jason was still standing there, his hand pressing against my wrist. I felt trapped. 

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “The pregnancy is not yours. It can’t be”

But Jason just stared at me, unmoved. “So you know you are pregnant?”

I ignored, pressing my forehead with my eyes closed.

“You know it’s mine, Vanessa.” He pulled something from his coat pocket—an envelope. Slowly, he slid out a picture. 

My stomach dropped when I saw it. It was a picture from that night. The night I couldn’t remember before, but suddenly everything was so damn clear. The photo was taken in a darkened room, and I could see the outline of me, barely conscious, with Jason’s face hovering above me. This was proof that I had slept with him!

The image was too much. “No,” I said again, trying to push it away, as if the photo would just disappear. “It was a mistake. I was drunk. I didn’t know who you were.”

Jason didn’t blink, just holding the photo out further for me to see. “That doesn’t matter now. You were with me, and now you’re carrying my child.”

I felt like the walls were closing in on me. My heart ached, and my head was spinning. “This shouldn’t be happening. I’m going home.” 

Jason didn’t move, didn’t give me an inch. “You don’t have anywhere to go, Vanessa,” he said, his tone still hard as stone. 

I stared at him, my pulse pounding in my ears. Of course he thought I had nowhere to go because Quinn had kicked me out and Mia had already taken my place. 

“Let me take care of you,” Jason said. “I’ll support you, and I’ll take care of the child. All I’m asking for in return is marriage.”

I froze when I heard that. “Marriage?” I repeated, barely able to believe what I was hearing. This wasn’t just about the baby anymore. This was a whole new mess. 

“I’m Quinn’s ex-wife. The divorce hasn’t been finalized yet. You’re his adoptive father! You think this is some joke?” I laughed, though it was bitter. “I’m not marrying you. This is insane. You can’t just ask for that.”

Jason’s face didn’t change. He didn’t even flinch at my outburst. “I’m offering you stability. A place to stay. What else do you have, Vanessa?”

I felt like a thousand bricks had been thrown at me. My heart was still aching from Quinn’s betrayal, and now I was supposed to marry his adoptive father? 

Jason had never been kind to me. He’d always been cold, distant. Even when Quinn and I were still together, he never treated me like anything special.

“I don’t need this from you,” I said, standing up slowly. The dizziness was still there, but I had to leave. I had to get out of this room before I lost my mind. “I need time to figure everything out. I’m not ready for… this.”

Jason didn’t stop me this time as I grabbed my bag. He just watched me, his gaze unreadable. But I could feel his eyes on my back as I walked out the door. He didn’t follow and I was grateful for that.

I couldn’t stay. I needed to clear my head, to breathe. 

The cold air bit at my skin as I walked, trying to shake off the feeling of Jason’s words and that stupid photo. I couldn’t let him control my life—not like this. 

Outside, an SUV pulled up beside me, and the window rolled down. I didn’t need to ask who it was. I already knew. 

“Hello ma’am,” the driver greeted with a smile, his voice familiar.

I glanced in, and sure enough, it was one of my father’s men. I didn’t ask questions. I got in, sliding into the backseat. The car was warm, and as the ride began, my thoughts swirled. I was going home, but not to the place I used to call home. I was going back to my family.

My family villa soon came into view, its tall gates swinging open as we neared. It was everything I remembered—massive stone walls, perfectly trimmed gardens, and that air of luxury only my family could pull off. It wasn’t just a house; it was a symbol of power, of everything my family had worked for.

When the car finally stopped, I didn’t wait. I got out and walked straight inside, my heart aching with every step. 

My parents were waiting for me in the entryway. The moment they saw me, they rushed forward with their arms opening to embrace me. I didn’t hold back. I broke down in their arms, the weight of everything crashing down on me all at once. 

They said nothing at first, just held me, their hands gentle as they rubbed my back. My mother whispered in a soft voice, “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay.”

I could barely speak through my sobs, but when I could, I said, “I’m divorced. Quinn... he’s back with his ex now. He doesn’t want me anymore.”

My father’s face darkened. “That bastard.”

My mother’s lips pressed together in a thin line. “We’ll take care of it, Vanessa. Don’t worry. We’ll make him pay for this.”

Their words were a comfort, even though I knew they meant it. The Calloways weren’t the type to make empty promises.

After a while, the tears stopped, and I was able to breathe again. I sat with them in the sitting room, my parents’ eyes full of concern, but also something else. A fire. A determination. 

I took a deep breath and straightened up. “I’ve been doing everything for him. For Quinn. Helping him build his career, his reputation. I gave up everything for him.” I looked at my hands, flexing my fingers, trying to calm the anger inside. 

“But now it’s time to take it all back.” I met my parent’s eyes. “I’m not going to let him get away with this. He used me. He used everything I gave him, and now he’s throwing me away like I never mattered.” 

“I’ll start taking back what’s mine,” I said in a hardened voice as I stood up. “Everything I helped him build, I’m going to tear it down. And when I’m done, I’ll make sure he knows he made the biggest mistake of his life.”