I stand there, stunned, my hand on my cheek. The exhaustion, the emotional rollercoaster of the night, and now this - it's all too much. I feel tears welling up in my eyes again.
Oh my god, did she see me having sex with Adrian?!
My eyes widened as I hold onto my cheek.
Adrian turns to me, his voice gentle but firm. "Stella, go to your room. I'll handle this."
I nod, relieved to escape this tense situation. But as I turn to leave, Gabriella grabs my hand, yanking me back. Without thinking, I pull my hand away, flashing her off.
"You're a homewrecker!" Gabriella shrieks. "Staying out all night with my man, the father of my child after I offered you an olive branch and invited you to the ball and this is how you repay me?!"
She turns to Adrian's parents, pointing an accusing finger at me. "See? She's showing her true colors now!"
"Enough," Adrian says, his voice sharp.
I feel awful. This is the last thing I need right no
I step into the mansion, exhausted from another long day at the hospital. Lyra's still stable, but unconscious. The doctors say she might wake up soon, but the waiting is killing me. I can't help but think they were just saying this so I wouldn't cry my eyes out again.As I make my way through the foyer, I spot Adrian in his wheelchair near the dining room. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him, but before I can say anything, Daisy's voice catches me off guard."Stella, dear! Come join us for dinner," she calls out, her tone surprisingly warm.I freeze, shocked by the invitation. My eyes dart around the room, taking in the scene. Everyone's there - Adrian, his parents, Sebastian, and... Gabriella. I can see the tension in her posture, her eyes fixed on her plate.I hesitate, memories of that awful dinner when Gabriella announced her pregnancy flooding back. Since then, I've avoided these family dinners like the plague. Adrian joins them occasionally,
My mind is racing as I pace back and forth in my room, my hands shaking slightly. Pregnant? How could I be pregnant? But then again... how could I not have considered the possibility?The events of the dinner keep replaying in my head. Daisy's knowing smile, the shocked faces around the table, Gabriella's look of pure venom. And Adrian... the mixture of surprise and something else in his eyes haunts me.Suddenly, the hidden wall panel slides open, and my heart leaps into my throat. Adrian walks in, no longer in his wheelchair, his face unreadable. I freeze mid-step, my anxiety skyrocketing.What's going through his mind? Is he angry? Disappointed? Or maybe... excited? I can't tell, and it's driving me crazy."Adrian
I'm drifting in a peaceful sleep when I feel soft kisses trailing up from my neck to my jaw. A moan escapes my lips as I instinctively pull Adrian down on top of me, my body responding to his touch even before I'm fully awake.Slowly, I open my eyes to find Adrian's silver gaze fixed on me, full of love and desire. "This is a big surprise," I murmur, my voice still husky with sleep. "Usually when I wake up, you're already gone."Adrian's lips curve into a tender smile. "You won't have to complain about that anymore," he says softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face.My heart swells at his words, filled with a warmth that spreads through my entire body. This feels like a new beginning for us, a shift in our relationship that goes beyond just the pregnancy.
Gabriella's povIt's after 1 AM, and the house is pitch dark. I'm in my room, quietly putting on clothes. My heart's racing, but I'm determined. Tonight's the night I deal with Stella once and for all.As I'm zipping up my jacket, I hear the door open. I don't need to turn around to know it's Sebastian. He is the only one coming inside my room, Adrian wouldn't step foot in here to see if his woman and child is alright!"Where are you going?" he asks, his voice low.I don't even look at him. "None of your business," I snap.I grab my bag and head for the door, but Sebastian grabs my arm, stopping me. I try to pull away, but his grip is strong.
Daisy's PovThe moment we stepped back onto the Lockwood estate, I felt it - a shift in the air, an undercurrent of tension that set my maternal instincts on high alert. As a mother, I've always put my boys first, but now I found myself worrying about someone else entirely: Gabriella.Adrian's love for her had always been obvious, which made his recent behavior all the more puzzling. The way he treated her... it was as if she'd become a stranger in his own home. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.As the days passed, I started noticing things. Little details that didn't quite add up. Adrian's attention seemed to gravitate more toward Stella than his own girlfriend. It was subtle, but to a watchful eye like mine, it spoke volumes.
The day has been a whirlwind of emotions. This morning, I visited Lyra at the hospital, my heart heavy with worry for my still-unconscious best friend.Despite the circumstances, I couldn't help but imagine sharing my pregnancy news with her, picturing her excited reaction. The thought of her missing this important moment in my life brought tears to my eyes.Throughout the day, my phone has been buzzing with messages and calls from Adrian. Despite being swamped with work, he's made sure to check in on me regularly, his concern and excitement evident even through text. Each message brings a smile to my face, reminding me that I'm not alone in this.Now, as the afternoon sun slants through the windows, I'm getting ready to head to the clinic for my first prenatal visit. Ex
Adrian ushers the nurse out of the room so that we could have some privacy.Daisy smiles, a knowing look in her eyes. "Did you really think we wouldn't figure it out? The way you two look at each other, Adrian's sudden interest in Stella's appointments... It's clear as day."Mark nods, adding, "We've suspected for a while now. Today just confirmed it."I'm stunned into silence, my mind reeling. They know. They've known. And they... approve?Adrian wheels closer to me, taking my hand in a gesture of support. "Well," he says, his voice steady, "I suppose there's no point in denying it. Yes, Stella and I are together, and yes, this is our child."As we stand in the room, the tension is evident. Adrian's eyes narrow as he looks at his mother. "How much do you know?" he asks, his voice low and controlled.Daisy's eyes flick between Adrian and me before she responds, "It depends on how much Stella knows.""Stella knows everything," he
Three months later......I woke to the warmth of Adrian's body next to mine, a feeling I'd grown wonderfully accustomed to over the past three months. As my eyes fluttered open, I was greeted by his tender smile."Good morning, beautiful," he whispered, leaning in for a sweet kiss.I returned the kiss, savoring the moment. "Good morning, handsome."Adrian's hand gently caressed my swollen belly, now four months along. He shifted down the bed, his face level with my stomach."And good morning to you too, little one," he murmured, his voice full of love and wonder. "Today's a big day. We might find out if you're a boy or a girl."