Chapter 0004

Sarah

I was sitting next to Lucas in the back seat of the car.

He had dragged me out of bed in such a hurry that I didn't get to wash my face because it took me forever to pull myself away from the bed.

“You're extremely quiet. Did you have a good night's rest?” he spoke up, breaking the silence between us.

My eyes were still laden with sleep. Last night was a nightmare. Literally.

I wasn't in the mood for a conversation, so I said nothing. But Lucas wouldn't take the hint.

He tapped my hand, lightly. “Was it to your comfort?” he continued, unbothered. “ I know you came into luxury when you married Ryder but five years is enough time to know the taste of finer things.”

It had crossed my mind that he might have been aware of my past. But it was way too early for me to have a decent conversation and my head sat heavy on my neck. Every part of my body ached and the hard leather seat of the car did nothing to ease it.

“Yes, the room was pleasant,” I replied softly. “But my discomfort wasn't from the room but from within. I had difficulty falling asleep.” My eyes strayed out of the car. “Where are we going?”

“It's a secret,” he answered with a twinkle in his eyes.

“I'm in no mood for games,” I stated flatly. “You either tell me where you are taking me or you turn this car around and take me back to the house.”

The smile vanished from his face. “ I don't like being ordered around, Ms Willow. Take note so it doesn't repeat itself.” He eyed me warily and sighed. “I'm granting you what you asked for. Be thankful.”

My heart rate picked up at the possibility of seeing Ryder. I sagged generously into the seat. The thought of seeing Ryder made the rest of the journey bearable.

We arrived at a gate, well hidden behind a forest of trees and rode up to a mansion with a well-tended garden in front. The building was blazing with light.

Lucas pointed towards the house. “The door is open. He should be inside.”

“Is this your property?” I asked, stalling for time.

I didn't know what to expect inside the house. Ryder had shown me a different side of himself. Another rejection from him will destroy me.

“None of your business. Go on, I'll be waiting right here for you.”

I murmured my thanks and got out of the car. I took one last glance at the car and walked into the house. My heart rate increased rapidly. I didn't know what to expect.

My eyes scanned the house, searching, till they rested on him. There he was, at the top of the stairs, drilling a hole into the wooden floor with his feet as he paced around in circles.

“Ryder,” I called out as I took the steps two at a time. I wanted to wrap myself around him so badly.

His green eyes widened as he sighted me and walked towards me. “What are you doing here?!” his voice sounded strained, his eyes darting all over the place. “How do you know this place? Who brought you here? You have to leave…”

“Lucas, he wan—”

“Don't say that name! I told you last night; if you leave with him, you are dead to me.” His voice was rough. “Did you sleep at his place?”

“Does it matter?” I searched his face for a hint that it did. That he was jealous I had spent the night with another man. But his jaw hardened and he shrugged his shoulders.

“Did you?”

I nodded and bent my head, afraid he would see the hurt in them. And toss it aside.

I felt his eyes glaring at me. “Then we have nothing to talk about.”

“Ryder, be reasonable. We said a lot of things last night. Lu—he was trying to help me. You have to give me a chance to explain. You can't just throw away our marriage just like that.”

“I can and I did. I have chosen Alexis to be my Luna. She is going to be the mother of my pup.”

I raised my head, returning his glare. “You have made up your mind. I came hoping I could convince you to take me but that isn't going to work, right? ” I question shakily, my eyes glistening with unshed tears.

He gave no response. His silence hurt more than I had expected. Five years of my life loving a man and he betrays me without so much as an explanation.

“Stay away, Sarah,” he snarled. “I've run out of patience. I'll have none left the next time I see you.”

At that moment, I realized I had to accept my fate. It was done. Nothing can get through to him. But I knew I owed it to my unborn child to tell him of its existence.

“I'll leave now, you can—”

“Don't!” I said quickly, ran to him at the edge of the staircase and grabbed his hand. “I have to tell you something. I'm carrying your child.”

“Get your hands off me!” he roared, pushing my hand away and knocking me off balance in the process.

I rolled down the stairs, free-falling. I felt every puncture on the stairs as my body gravitated to the floor. I landed flat on my tummy and winced in pain.

“Ouch.” I cried softly as the pain blurred my vision for a minute.

It was probably a few seconds but felt like an eternity as I struggled to sit up. A burning pain travelled down to my pelvis. I bit my lip to hold back my scream.

But a spot on the floor caught my eye.

I felt a warm feeling between my thighs and placed my hand in between. The sight of blood on my fingertips numbed me as I screamed out with every fibre of my being.