After a long moment of silence, I made up my mind. I couldn’t ignore this anymore—whoever had been reaching out to me clearly had something important to say. I looked at Sally, determination set in my eyes. “I think I need to go,” I said quietly. Sally’s face immediately filled with worry, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded firmly. “Then I’m coming with you. You’re not going anywhere alone, Mila, especially not in… well, this situation.” A small smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you, Sally. I don’t think I’d want to face this on my own anyway.” I reached down, my hand unconsciously resting on my stomach. There was a strange warmth there, a feeling that almost felt protective, like my body was somehow reminding me that I wasn’t truly alone. My heart softened, and I knew then that I had to be careful—not just for myself, but for the tiny life inside me too. After gathering a few things, we headed out, the drive long and winding as we left the familiarity of the city behind. Sall
I stood there, my mind spinning as he continued. "Mila, the reason I asked you to come here is because you deserve to know the truth about what happened to you—especially about that test, the one where they told you that you couldn’t conceive. It was all a lie, Mila. Those results were faked, part of a plan to make you believe something that was never true."I felt like I was in a fog. "What are you saying? That someone lied to me about my own test results?"“Yes,” he said gently. “Someone close to you made sure those results said you couldn’t have children. They knew that Alex desperately wanted a family, and they used that against him.”My heart sank, a sick feeling building inside me. “But who would go that far? Why?”He looked at me, his eyes filled with something like regret. “Lily,” he said finally. “She was behind it, but she didn’t work alone. She had help from someone inside Alex’s circle, someone with the power to access your medical records and change them.”The pieces bega
I rushed toward Sally, grinning at the sight of her standing amidst the disheveled guards. She turned, her fierce expression softening as she spotted me.“Oh, Mila!” she called, slightly out of breath but still composed. “Don’t worry! I was just practicing a little self-defense,” she said with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I had their consent, of course.”One guard, grimacing as he rubbed his shoulder, managed a weak nod. “Y-yeah, she asked us first,” he said, clearly regretting his choice. “We just… didn’t expect her to be so good.”The other guard, still catching his breath, gave a small nod as well. “She’s got some serious skills, way more than we bargained for.”Sally shrugged, looking proud and unfazed. “Well, a girl’s gotta be prepared, right?”Arin chuckled beside me, clearly entertained. “Remind me never to underestimate you.Sally shot Arin a sharp glare, clearly sizing him up with a hint of suspicion. I could sense the tension, so I quickly stepped in.“Arin, this is Sall
As we reached home, the sky was already darkening, casting long shadows across the room as we stepped inside.After the long ride, all we could think about was a good rest. Realizing I had work tomorrow, I knew I’d need every ounce of energy I could get.We ordered takeout, enjoying a quick but tasty dinner, then headed straight to bed, both eager to catch up on some much-needed rest.The next morning, disaster struck: I’d overslept. I bolted out of bed, my heart racing as I realized how late it was. I threw on clothes in a frenzy, skipping breakfast and hoping Sally wouldn’t notice. But, of course, she caught me just as I was grabbing my bag.“Mila, you can’t just run out without breakfast!” she scolded, her hands on her hips and a disapproving look on her face.“I don’t have time, Sally! I’ll grab something later,” I protested, already half out the door.“Skipping meals isn’t the answer!” she called after me, but I was too rushed to argue, practically sprinting outside.As if my morni
As I reached the president's office, I paused at the slightly ajar door, noticing two voices engaged in conversation. The president and Arin were seated across from each other, their tones low and businesslike, making it impossible to catch what they were discussing. Arin’s demeanor was calm yet confident, and I couldn’t help but wonder why he was here.I straightened my posture and gave a polite knock on the door. Both men turned toward me, their conversation halting.“Miss Mila, come in,” the president said with a welcoming smile, gesturing for me to take a seat.“Good morning, sir,” I greeted formally, keeping my tone professional. My gaze flickered briefly to Arin, who offered me a small, knowing smile before I quickly looked away and focused on the president.“Thank you for coming on short notice,” the president began. “I wanted to discuss a new collaboration between our company and Mr. Arin’s firm.” He leaned back slightly, his hands clasped on the desk. “Mr. Arin specifically r
“Mila!” my mom continued, her voice rising with frustration. “Do you even understand how embarrassing this is for me? Every time the doorbell rings, I dread another neighbor coming to gawk at me as if it’s their business!”I cut through her relentless words, my tone firm but steady. “Mom, I get it. I really do,” I said, gripping the phone tightly. “I’ll handle this. Just give me a little time, alright?”“You better do it fast,” she snapped, her anger not yet subsiding. “I can’t tolerate this humiliation on your behalf any longer. Do you know how it feels to have everyone pity me like I raised a fool?”The sting of her words lingered, but I forced myself to stay calm. “I said I’ll take care of it, Mom. Trust me on this. I won’t let this go unchecked.”Her silence on the other end told me she was either trying to compose herself or decide if she believed me. With a short humph, she muttered, “You’d better,” before abruptly hanging up.I exhaled sharply, the weight of her words pressing
𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒂'𝒔 𝑷𝒐𝒗 After hours of intense focus, I finally decided to take a break. I glanced at the clock and realized it was already lunchtime. Lost in my work, I hadn’t noticed when the lunch hour began. My stomach growled, a reminder of how I had skipped breakfast too. I neatly arranged the papers and samples on my desk and locked them away in the drawer before heading out. As I stepped into the cafeteria, the hum of chatter and occasional bursts of laughter filled the air. My colleagues from the department were gathered at one table, enjoying their time together. I considered joining them for a moment, but my stomach had other priorities. I headed to the counter, placed my order, and quickly found a corner table away from the crowd. Settling into the seat, I pulled out my phone. The first thing I checked was the status of the viral video. A grin crept onto my lips as I saw the results. The video had been wiped clean, like it had never existed. I could always count on her to d
𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘃 After dinner, I lay on my bed, scrolling through countless websites about pregnancy. Each article and forum seemed to offer endless advice—what to eat, what to avoid, exercises, mental health tips how to care for myself, and ultimately, how to ensure my baby’s well-being—but the sheer amount of information was overwhelming. Still, I couldn’t stop reading.This journey was unexpected, but I wanted to embrace it wholeheartedly. I owed it to my child to be the best version of myself, despite everything.Page after page of advice filled my screen, but the deeper I dove, the more overwhelming it became. I tried to focus, but the flood of information left me mentally drained.This was too much to take in at once.I closed the laptop with a sigh, resting my hand on my stomach.It was clear that I needed a doctor to guide me through this. No amount of internet searching could replace professional advice.The next morning came quickly.I got ready quickly, wanting to be done wi
Autthor's POVdMila’s fragile body rested in Arine’s 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 didn’t move for a long moment, reluctant to let go. It felt as though the weight of her pain had become his own—a 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, “Rest, my love. I’ll make sure no one hurts you again.”before 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.“She finally fell asleep?” she asked softly.Arine nodded, his jaw clenched as he tried to keep his emotions in check. “She did. But it’s like every tear she cried tor
Arine’s 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.“It’s urgent, sir,” Elijah said quietly.Arine swiped the screen without hesitation. The voice on the other end was one of his trusted board members.“Mr. 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,” came the curt reply from one of the board members.Arine didn’t reply immediately; he was already mentally preparing for the challenge. “I’ll be there soon,” he said and hung up.Arine entered the boardroom with his usual commanding presence. The air was thick with tension; the takeover of Alex’s 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 POVArine’s 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 couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.“Are you certain?” Arine asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his usual composure cracking.The doctor nodded solemnly. “Yes. We need your decision immediately.”Arine’s 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 didn’t survive…He closed his eyes tightly, the memories of Mila’s trembling form and the fear in her eyes replaying in his mind. She was everything to him—the woman who had unwittingly thawed the icy walls around his heart. He couldn’t let her slip away.Finally, he opened his eyes, his decision resolute. “Save Mila,” he said firmly, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. “Do 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 dominance—Arine. His piercing gaze fell on Mila, taking
AUTHOR'S POVThe clock ticked relentlessly, each passing second amplifying Mila’s anxiety. It had been almost an hour since she’d 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 Sally’s 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. Sally’s room was neat, almost too neat, as though it had been untouched for days. Mila’s 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 bed—but 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. She’d been working on a set of designs from her last project, trying to refine them. At first, she’d only planned to make minor adjustments, but the ideas in her mind wouldn’t stop flowing. One concept led to another, and before she knew it, she was sketching new details with an energy she hadn’t 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 didn’t 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 triumph—a 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 couldn’t ignore.“Mila, your condition is stable for now,” she said, pausing to make sure I was paying attention. “But we need to be cautious. Without proper care, complications could arise in the future.”I swallowed hard, my hand instinctively resting on my stomach.“What do you mean? What should I do?”“Focus on rest and proper nutrition,” she said gently. “Keep taking your supplements—iron, calcium, folic acid. Most importantly, avoid stress. Any signs of discomfort, no matter how small, call us right away.”I nodded, absorbing her words like a sponge. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”“You’ve done well so far,” she added,her gaze softened . “You’ve been through a lot, Mila, and you’re doing better than you think. But you don’t have to do this alone. Don’t hesitate to lean on the people around you for s
Mila's POVArine’s grip on my hand was firm, his fingers wrapped around mine with a determination that left no room for argument.I had tried—more than once—to pull free, insisting that I didn’t 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 didn’t see it coming until I bumped into something solid. Startled, I stumbled slightly,My head jerked up, and I found myself staring at Arine’s 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 couldn’t quite name—something 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 couldn’t place where or when.“Mila,” Arine said gently, breaking through my thoughts. “You should eat something. The nurse said it’s important for your recovery. Maybe take a short walk afterward to stretch your legs.”I 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 he’d done this for me bef