š š¶š¹š®'š š£š¢š© Before either of us could say more, The silence was abruptly broken by a faint throat-clearing sound, startling both of us.Both of us froze,we turned simultaneously, confusion etched on our faces.There, sitting on the couch, was Sally.She was leaning back, one leg crossed over the other, a faint, amused smile playing on her lips. My cheeks burned as I realized what this must look like.Arine and I exchanged a quick look, and it was clear we both remembered how close we had been just seconds ago. His hands pinning me against the door, his intense gaze locking onto mineāit all seemed so... awkward now.Arine stepped back quickly, running a hand through his messy hair as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, a look of relief washing over his face. āI need to take this,ā he said, the clipped tone of his voice leaving no room for questions. Without another word, he slipped out of the room, leaving me to face Sally alone.The moment the door clicked
ššæš¶š»š² 'š š£š¢š©Stepping out of the room, my hand still tingled where it had touched Mila to lead her in. Shaking off the warmth, now hanging in my chest, I closed the door, took a couple of steps down the hallway, and then looked around to make sure no one was around.Satisfied that I was alone, I pulled out my phone and swiped to answer the call. Placing it against my ear, I straightened my posture, letting my usual calm, authoritative tone seep into my voice.āYou better have a good reason for calling me at this hour,ā I said, my tone sharp and commanding.On the other end, a manās voice stammered slightly, clearly aware he had interrupted me at a delicate time. āI apologize for disturbing you, sir,the test results are out.I thought youād want to know immediately.āI froze, my grip on the phone tightening involuntarily. My heart thudded against my ribs as I braced myself for what was coming. āGo on,ā I said, my voice deceptively calm.āThe test is positive,ā he revealed. āAl
ššæš¶š»š²'š š½š¼šI pushed the door open cautiously, careful not to make a sound. The room was bathed in the dim light of the bedside lamp, its glow softening the edges of everything it touched. My gaze instantly fell on Mila, lying peacefully on the bed, her face relaxed, lost in sleep.For a moment, I just stood there, frozen, almost afraid to take another step. She looked so serene, so vulnerable. The woman who had unwittingly turned my world upside down, who didnāt even know who she truly wasāor who I wasāwas right there, within reach.My eyes swept across the room, searching for any sign of Sally. When I was certain she wasnāt here, a strange relief settled over me. It wasnāt that I disliked her presence, but right now, I wanted this moment to myself, this quiet, stolen moment with Mila.I moved closer, my steps careful and measured, until I was standing by her bedside. Her face was partially hidden by a strands of hair, and without thinking, I reached out and gently tucked it
Mila's POVA voice called my name, soft at first, almost blending with my dreams. I tried to ignore it, turning over to sink back into the comforting void of sleep. But the voice came again, clearer this time, and unmistakably familiar. Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking against the soft light.Arine stood before me, his gaze steady and focused .Behind him stood a man whose presence made me pause, unfamiliar at first glance. Yet, as I looked at him more closely , there was a strange pull in the back of my mind as if I had seen him before but I couldnāt place where or when.āMila,ā Arine said gently, breaking through my thoughts. āYou should eat something. The nurse said itās important for your recovery. Maybe take a short walk afterward to stretch your legs.āI blinked at him and nodded, still distracted, as the man stepped forward. He carried a small foldable table and carefully placed it over my lap. His movements were deliberate, almost too familiar, as if heād done this for me bef
Mila's POVArineās grip on my hand was firm, his fingers wrapped around mine with a determination that left no room for argument.I had triedāmore than onceāto pull free, insisting that I didnāt need his help, but his quiet, stubborn resolve always won. After a few futile attempts, I sighed in resignation.Eventually, I stopped resisting.We walked in silence, but my thoughts were anything but quiet. Tomorrow loomed over me like a storm cloud. Every day brought a new challenge, another hurdle I had to overcome for my baby. Would it ever get easier? Or was this constant fight my new reality?I was so lost in my thoughts that I didnāt see it coming until I bumped into something solid. Startled, I stumbled slightly,My head jerked up, and I found myself staring at Arineās chest.I blinked, startled, and slowly raised my eyes to meet his. His expression caught me off guard. He was looking at me with an intensity I couldnāt quite nameāsomething sharp and layered, like he was holding back a tid
Mila's POVThe doctor stood by my bedside, clipboard in hand, her expression professional but tinged with concern. Her voice was calm, steady, but every word she spoke carried a weight I couldnāt ignore.āMila, your condition is stable for now,ā she said, pausing to make sure I was paying attention. āBut we need to be cautious. Without proper care, complications could arise in the future.āI swallowed hard, my hand instinctively resting on my stomach.āWhat do you mean? What should I do?āāFocus on rest and proper nutrition,ā she said gently. āKeep taking your supplementsāiron, calcium, folic acid. Most importantly, avoid stress. Any signs of discomfort, no matter how small, call us right away.āI nodded, absorbing her words like a sponge. āIāll do whatever it takes.āāYouāve done well so far,ā she added,her gaze softened . āYouāve been through a lot, Mila, and youāre doing better than you think. But you donāt have to do this alone. Donāt hesitate to lean on the people around you for s
AUTHOR'S POV The room was bathed in soft golden light as the evening sun filtered through the curtains. Mila sat at her desk, her laptop open and her sketchpad spread out in front of her. Sheād been working on a set of designs from her last project, trying to refine them. At first, sheād only planned to make minor adjustments, but the ideas in her mind wouldnāt stop flowing. One concept led to another, and before she knew it, she was sketching new details with an energy she hadnāt felt in months.Hours passed in a blur of pencil strokes and clicks of the mouse. Her desk was now cluttered with rough drafts and reference photos, but Mila didnāt mind. There was a sense of satisfaction in the chaos. When she finally leaned back in her chair and surveyed her work, a smile crept onto her lips. The designs had taken shape beautifully, blending creativity with practicality. It felt like a small triumphāa reminder that she was still capable of doing what she loved.Satisfied, Mila glanced at
AUTHOR'S POVThe clock ticked relentlessly, each passing second amplifying Milaās anxiety. It had been almost an hour since sheād left Sally a voicemail, but the silence on the other end was deafening. Mila sat on the couch, her fingers tapping restlessly on her phone as she refreshed her messages for the hundredth time. Still nothing.The unease in her chest refused to subside. Determined to find answers, she got up and walked to Sallyās room, her footsteps muffled against the quiet apartment. Maybe Sally had left a note, something to explain her absence.Mila pushed open the door, the soft creak of the hinges breaking the stillness. Sallyās room was neat, almost too neat, as though it had been untouched for days. Milaās gaze swept over the dresser, the desk, and the bed, searching for any clue. She pulled open drawers, checked the bedside table, even glanced under the bedābut nothing. Not a note, not a hint of where Sally could be.She sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from he
Autthor's POVdMilaās fragile body rested in Arineās arms, her tears staining his shirt as she finally succumbed to sleep. Her breathing slowed, and the soft tremors in her frame began to subside. Arine didnāt move for a long moment, reluctant to let go. It felt as though the weight of her pain had become his ownāa burden he would gladly carry if it meant sparing her even a sliver of sorrow.When he finally placed her gently onto the bed, tucking the blanket around her, he brushed a strand of hair from her face and murmured, āRest, my love. Iāll make sure no one hurts you again.ābefore stepping out of the room to give the doctors space to check on her condition.Outside, Aunt Lana was waiting, her face etched with concern. As Arine closed the door softly behind him, she approached, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.āShe finally fell asleep?ā she asked softly.Arine nodded, his jaw clenched as he tried to keep his emotions in check. āShe did. But itās like every tear she cried tor
Arineās phone buzzed sharply, cutting through the silence in his car as he drove back from the warehouse. His assistant, Elijah, handed him the phone with a wordless gesture, his expression serious.āItās urgent, sir,ā Elijah said quietly.Arine swiped the screen without hesitation. The voice on the other end was one of his trusted board members.āMr. Malhotra, an urgent meeting has been called to finalize the action plan for the company you acquired. The situation is dire, and we need your directives immediately to stabilize operations,ā came the curt reply from one of the board members.Arine didnāt reply immediately; he was already mentally preparing for the challenge. āIāll be there soon,ā he said and hung up.Arine entered the boardroom with his usual commanding presence. The air was thick with tension; the takeover of Alexās failing company had left its employees and stakeholders in a state of panic.As he took his seat at the head of the table, the room quieted. Elijah handed h
Author's POVArineās breath caught, his chest tightening painfully. He dragged a hand through his hair, his mind spinning.He knew how much Mila loved her unborn child, but he couldnāt bear the thought of losing her.āAre you certain?ā Arine asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his usual composure cracking.The doctor nodded solemnly. āYes. We need your decision immediately.āArineās throat felt dry as he leaned against the wall, his head tilted back as he tried to steady himself. Mila had fought so hard to protect this child, even when Alex had abandoned her. But if she didnāt surviveā¦He closed his eyes tightly, the memories of Milaās trembling form and the fear in her eyes replaying in his mind. She was everything to himāthe woman who had unwittingly thawed the icy walls around his heart. He couldnāt let her slip away.Finally, he opened his eyes, his decision resolute. āSave Mila,ā he said firmly, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. āDo whatever you have to do
Author's povMila struggled desperately against the man's iron grip, her wrists raw from the pressure and the blade grazing her delicate skin. Every thrash only worsened her condition, her strength waning as exhaustion began to cloud her mind. She gasped for air, her vision blurring. Just as she teetered on the edge of unconsciousness, the faint sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears.Before she could comprehend what was happening, the door was kicked open with a resounding crash. Five imposing men stormed in, their sheer presence radiating authority and danger. The man holding Mila froze momentarily, panic flashing in his eyes, but before he could react further, a brutal punch landed on his jaw, sending him staggering backward.Another man lunged for the second assailant, delivering blow after blow with precision, while the others restrained them effortlessly. In the chaos, a tall figure strode in, exuding raw power and dominanceāArine. His piercing gaze fell on Mila, taking
AUTHOR'S POVThe clock ticked relentlessly, each passing second amplifying Milaās anxiety. It had been almost an hour since sheād left Sally a voicemail, but the silence on the other end was deafening. Mila sat on the couch, her fingers tapping restlessly on her phone as she refreshed her messages for the hundredth time. Still nothing.The unease in her chest refused to subside. Determined to find answers, she got up and walked to Sallyās room, her footsteps muffled against the quiet apartment. Maybe Sally had left a note, something to explain her absence.Mila pushed open the door, the soft creak of the hinges breaking the stillness. Sallyās room was neat, almost too neat, as though it had been untouched for days. Milaās gaze swept over the dresser, the desk, and the bed, searching for any clue. She pulled open drawers, checked the bedside table, even glanced under the bedābut nothing. Not a note, not a hint of where Sally could be.She sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from he
AUTHOR'S POV The room was bathed in soft golden light as the evening sun filtered through the curtains. Mila sat at her desk, her laptop open and her sketchpad spread out in front of her. Sheād been working on a set of designs from her last project, trying to refine them. At first, sheād only planned to make minor adjustments, but the ideas in her mind wouldnāt stop flowing. One concept led to another, and before she knew it, she was sketching new details with an energy she hadnāt felt in months.Hours passed in a blur of pencil strokes and clicks of the mouse. Her desk was now cluttered with rough drafts and reference photos, but Mila didnāt mind. There was a sense of satisfaction in the chaos. When she finally leaned back in her chair and surveyed her work, a smile crept onto her lips. The designs had taken shape beautifully, blending creativity with practicality. It felt like a small triumphāa reminder that she was still capable of doing what she loved.Satisfied, Mila glanced at
Mila's POVThe doctor stood by my bedside, clipboard in hand, her expression professional but tinged with concern. Her voice was calm, steady, but every word she spoke carried a weight I couldnāt ignore.āMila, your condition is stable for now,ā she said, pausing to make sure I was paying attention. āBut we need to be cautious. Without proper care, complications could arise in the future.āI swallowed hard, my hand instinctively resting on my stomach.āWhat do you mean? What should I do?āāFocus on rest and proper nutrition,ā she said gently. āKeep taking your supplementsāiron, calcium, folic acid. Most importantly, avoid stress. Any signs of discomfort, no matter how small, call us right away.āI nodded, absorbing her words like a sponge. āIāll do whatever it takes.āāYouāve done well so far,ā she added,her gaze softened . āYouāve been through a lot, Mila, and youāre doing better than you think. But you donāt have to do this alone. Donāt hesitate to lean on the people around you for s
Mila's POVArineās grip on my hand was firm, his fingers wrapped around mine with a determination that left no room for argument.I had triedāmore than onceāto pull free, insisting that I didnāt need his help, but his quiet, stubborn resolve always won. After a few futile attempts, I sighed in resignation.Eventually, I stopped resisting.We walked in silence, but my thoughts were anything but quiet. Tomorrow loomed over me like a storm cloud. Every day brought a new challenge, another hurdle I had to overcome for my baby. Would it ever get easier? Or was this constant fight my new reality?I was so lost in my thoughts that I didnāt see it coming until I bumped into something solid. Startled, I stumbled slightly,My head jerked up, and I found myself staring at Arineās chest.I blinked, startled, and slowly raised my eyes to meet his. His expression caught me off guard. He was looking at me with an intensity I couldnāt quite nameāsomething sharp and layered, like he was holding back a tid
Mila's POVA voice called my name, soft at first, almost blending with my dreams. I tried to ignore it, turning over to sink back into the comforting void of sleep. But the voice came again, clearer this time, and unmistakably familiar. Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking against the soft light.Arine stood before me, his gaze steady and focused .Behind him stood a man whose presence made me pause, unfamiliar at first glance. Yet, as I looked at him more closely , there was a strange pull in the back of my mind as if I had seen him before but I couldnāt place where or when.āMila,ā Arine said gently, breaking through my thoughts. āYou should eat something. The nurse said itās important for your recovery. Maybe take a short walk afterward to stretch your legs.āI blinked at him and nodded, still distracted, as the man stepped forward. He carried a small foldable table and carefully placed it over my lap. His movements were deliberate, almost too familiar, as if heād done this for me bef