Third party pov
Sebastian walked through the front door, his shoulders slumped from a long day at work. As he stepped into the living room, he froze, surprised to see his parents and Gabriella gathered there, all wearing broad smiles.
"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" Sebastian asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
His parents rushed toward him, enveloping him in a tight hug. Sebastian's eyes darted between them and Gabriella, who remained seated, a hesitant smile playing on her lips.
"What's going on?" Sebastian asked again, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of concern.
His father, Mark, pulled back from the hug, his face suddenly stern. "Instead o
5:30 AM. My alarm barely had time to buzz before I shut it off. I'd barely slept, but it didn't matter. I was running on pure adrenaline and pain.I made sure to book an uber also. The second thing I needed to do was get a quick shower. A quick shower and a brush of my teeth. I grabbed my toiletries and tiptoed to the bathroom, careful not to make any noise. The warm water helped clear my head a bit, but it couldn't wash away the pain.Back in my room, hair still damp, I grabbed my suitcase from under the bed and started throwing my things in. There wasn't much - just a few clothes, some books, and my freshly used toiletries. I didn't care if they were folded neatly or not. I just wanted out.As I packed, I kept replaying last night's conversation with Adrian in my head.
I jolted awake, my head pounding and eyes swollen from crying. The room was dark, and for a moment, I was disoriented.Fumbling for my phone, I squinted at the bright screen. 5:30 PM? I'd slept the whole day away."Lyra?" I called out, my voice hoarse. No answer.Panic started to set in. I dialed Lyra's number for what felt like the hundredth time. Straight to voicemail. Again."This isn't like you, Lyra," I muttered, pacing our small living room. "Where are you?"My mind raced through possibilities. Maybe she was with that mystery guy? But she always let me know if she was staying out. What if something had happened at the club? What if she was hurt?
Lyra's povMy head was pounding as I slowly came to. I blinked, trying to focus my eyes in the dim light. Where was I? This wasn't my room.I tried to move, but my body felt heavy, sluggish. What happened?Bits and pieces of memory started flooding back. I'd been at work, Club Ecstasy. My shift had just ended when I got a call from Sebastian. He wanted to meet..."Sebastian," I muttered, my throat dry and scratchy.He'd asked me to meet him somewhere... where was it? I remember walking down a dark street, looking for the address he'd given me. Then... nothing.A chill ran down my spine as I recalled a sudd
I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. My mind was racing with worry about Lyra. Where was she? Was she okay? The clock on my nightstand read 2:00 AM, its red digits seeming to mock my sleeplessness.Suddenly, a soft grinding noise broke the silence. I froze, my heart pounding. A section of my wall was... moving? A hidden door I never knew existed swung open, and out stepped Adrian.I sat up quickly, clutching my sheet to my chest. "Adrian?" I gasped, my voice a mix of surprise and confusion. "What... how... there's a secret door in my room?"Adrian stood there, looking as handsome as ever in the dim light. "Stella," he said softly."Why didn't you tell me about this door?" I demanded, my shock turning to anger. How many more secrets were there?
I woke up early, sunlight just starting to peek through the curtains. The bed felt empty, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment that Adrian wasn't there. But I quickly pushed that thought aside - I needed to know if there was any news about Lyra.I rushed through my morning routine, taking a quick shower and brushing my teeth. Once I was dressed I hurried to Adrian's room, too anxious to wait.Without thinking, I barged in without knocking. Adrian was sitting up in bed, freshly showered, his laptop open in front of him, looking handsome as ever."Do you have any news about Lyra?" I blurted out, my heart racing.Adrian looked up at me before going back to his computer. I would've said he wasn't a morn
Four months ago flashback.....Adrian's povI woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. Gabriella walked in, carefully balancing a tray of breakfast."Good morning, lover boy," she said, smiling as she set the tray on my lap.I looked at the food - slightly burnt toast, runny eggs, and bacon that looked a bit too crispy. "You didn't have to do this," I said, touched by the gesture."I wanted to," Gabriella replied, perching on the edge of the bed.I took a bite of the eggs. They tasted... odd. Not bad, just different. Maybe it was because Gabriella wasn't the best cook. I made a mental note
Adrian's PovI sat in the stupid wheelchair in the clinic room, feeling like an outsider in my own life. My parents flanked Gabriella, who lay on the bed, but my eyes were fixed on Sebastian. His gaze was glued to the monitor, and it made my stomach churn.The whole situation sickened me. Gabriella had the audacity to fool my parents, knowing full well she'd been sleeping with both of their sons.I wanted to be anywhere but here, yet I couldn't leave. If there was even the slightest chance this baby was mine, I couldn't miss a moment - no matter how much I despised Gabriella now.I'd already decided: the moment this child was born, I'd demand a DNA test. If it turned out to be mine, I'd fight tooth and nail to take
Stella's pov....I can't stop pacing. My hands are shaking as I try Lyra's number again. No answer. Where is she?"Come on, Lyra, pick up!" I mutter, but it's no use.I can't just sit here while my best friend is missing. Lyra needs me. But what can I do? I pictured myself in her situation, I know Lyra would be worried sick too.Meanwhile, Adrian's off finding out the gender of his supposed baby. Ugh.I pause, remembering the look in Adrian's eyes this morning. He was hiding something, I'm sure of it. My gaze drifts to the wall where that supposed door is - the one connecting our rooms.Before I c
Stella's Pov.I paced nervously outside the hospital room, my hands fidgeting with the hem of my jacket as the sounds of Gabriella’s labor echoed through the closed door. Adrian had gone in, of course. She’d asked for him to be there, to hold her hand while she brought their baby into the world. I bit the inside of my cheek, my mind racing. Gabriella had to have planned this. There’s no way she didn’t—having the baby now, just before Adrian and I were supposed to leave for the trip. She was always doing something to keep us apart.Such a bitch.I tried to shake off the thought, but it lingered, settling in like a bitter taste I couldn’t get rid of. I wanted to hate her for it. But more than anything, I hated how powerless I felt standing out here, waiting. Adrian’s going to be a father.A father.Pride swelled in my chest. I was happy for him&mdash
Sebastian's pov.I sat inside the room, checking my watch for the hundredth time. Any minute now, he'd arrive. Adrian's time had finally run out, and the Lockwood empire was about to change hands.A smirk played on my lips as I thought about Adrian, off on his business trip with Stella. How convenient. When he returns, he'll walk right into the shock of his life. Everything he thinks he owns will now be mine.My mind wandered to Gabriella, heavily pregnant with what Adrian believes is his child. Oh, brother, if only you knew. Soon, she'll be handing that baby over to me instead.I've always been jealous of my big brother, something that I'd never like to admit. How he'd always manage to be the favorite. Outperform m
I'm nestled comfortably in bed, propped up against a mountain of pillows, with Adrian's strong arm wrapped around me. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and pastries fills the air, mingling with Adrian's cologne."Open up," Adrian says softly, holding a forkful of fluffy scrambled eggs to my lips. I oblige, savoring the taste and the intimacy of the moment.It's been four days since we arrived for this "business trip," though we've spent more time in this room than anywhere else. I can't help but smile, thinking about how attentive and loving Adrian has been. It's almost easy to forget the complications waiting for us back home."What's that smile for?" Adrian asks, his eyes twinkling with amusement.I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "Just thinking about how perfect this is. How perfect you've been."Adrian kisses the top of my head. "You deserve to be pampered, my love. The three of you do," he adds, his free hand gently caressing my swollen belly.As if on cue, I fee
Gabriella's povI pace the length of my room, fury coursing through my veins. How dare he? How dare Adrian go on a two-week business trip with that homewrecker Stella while I'm seven months pregnant with his child? Our child. The audacity of it all makes me want to scream.My hand absently rubs my swollen belly as I try to calm myself. This stress can't be good for the baby, but I can't help it. Things cannot go on like this. I need to do something, and fast."Damn you, Sebastian," I mutter under my breath. His incompetence is infuriating. Instead of getting rid of Stella like he was supposed to, all he managed to do was come up with some half-baked scheme about a fake father.Useless. I should have known better tha
Stella's povI stir awake, my eyes fluttering open to the soft afternoon light filtering through the curtains. The first thing I see is Adrian's face, his silver eyes watching me with a tender expression that makes my heart skip a beat."Good afternoon, sleeping beauty," he murmurs, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face.I smile, nestling closer to him. "How long have you been awake?""Long enough to count every freckle on your nose," he teases, leaning in to place a soft kiss on the tip of my nose.I giggle, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer. Our lips meet in a gentle, lingering kiss that sends warmth spreading through my en
I watch Stella sleeping peacefully in my lap, I'm struck by a pang of guilt. I've been neglecting her, allowing Gabriella's manipulative tactics to come between us.When Stella uttered those horrifying words - that our relationship was over - it was like a bucket of cold water to the face. I knew then that I couldn't let her walk out of my life. Not without a fight. This trip to Italy is my chance to make things right.Two weeks to spoil her, to give her my undivided attention, to remind her how much she means to me. As we approach the airport, I gently wake her."We're here, baby girl," I murmur, brushing a strand of hair from her face.Her eyes flutter open, confusion giving way to excitement as she remembers where we're going. I settle into my wheelchair as we board my private jet, unable to take my eyes off her as she marvels at the luxurious interior."Wait," she stops before staring at me wide eye. "What about Lyra, what if they try to harm her while we're away?" She asks."Ther
Gabriella's face cycles through a range of emotions - shock, hurt, anger, and finally, a calculated blankness. Mark and Daisy exchange worried glances, clearly as taken aback as the rest of us.As for me, I'm frozen in place, my mind racing. A two-week trip to Italy? With Adrian? Away from all of this drama? It seems too good to be true.But as I catch Adrian's eye across the room, I see a glimmer of something - determination, perhaps? Or is it a promise of things to come?The shock of Adrian's announcement hangs in the air for a moment before Gabriella snaps out of her stupor. Her voice trembles with a mix of anger and desperation as she turns to Adrian."But I'm seven months pregnant, going on eight months!" she exclaims. "How am I supposed to cope alone?"Before Adrian can respond, Daisy steps forward, her voice calm and reassuring with a smile. "Mark and I will take very good care of you, Gabriella. You don't need to worry."Gabriella, however, isn't satisfied. Her next words make
As we pull up to the mansion, I can't help but blush, thinking about what transpired in that hospital room. The thrill of our encounter still lingers, but a part of me can't believe we actually did that.Adrian squeezes my hand reassuringly as we enter the foyer, but the moment is quickly shattered. Gabriella appears, practically launching herself at Adrian. She plants a kiss on his cheek, and I have to fight the urge to pull her away.But Gabriella's overzealous greeting isn't what catches my attention. The entire place is decorated lavishly - flowers, ribbons, and what looks like the setup for an elaborate celebration. In the background, I spot Mark and Daisy, their postures tense and uncomfortable.A sense of dread washes over me. What is this witch up to now?Gabriella turns to Adrian, her voice sickly sweet. "Your bed was so cold without you next to me this morning, darling and I've been calling you all day, where have you been baby?""I've been busy with work," Adrian lies.I gr
Adrian's eyes darken with intensity as he pulls me closer, his hands roaming over my back, sending shivers down my spine. The heat radiating off his body is almost evident.He leans in, his lips brushing against my neck, planting soft, lingering kisses that make my breath hitch. My hands find their way under his shirt, feeling the taut muscles of his abdomen. I push the fabric up, needing to feel more of his skin against mine.Adrian quickly discards his shirt, and I take a moment to admire the sight before me. He’s beautiful, every inch of him. His eyes never leave mine as he reaches for the buttons of my blouse, his fingers deft and sure. The fabric falls away, and his hands are on me again, caressing, exploring.“God, I’ve missed this,” he growls against my ear, his voice rough with desire. He cups my breast, his thumb brushing over my nipple through the thin lace of my bra, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core.I moan softly, arching into his touch. “Adrian...”His mouth