Gabriella's pov
It'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."
The world seemed to stop. I felt the mug slip from my fingers, Daisy catching it just in time. My father? I looked at Daisy, seeing my own shock mirrored in her face.My father? I'd spent my entire life in an orphanage with Lyra, never knowing anything about my family."I... I don't understand," I stammered, looking from Anthony to Daisy and back again. "I grew up in an orphanage. I don't have any family."Anthony's expression crumpled slightly. "I know, and I'm so sorry for that. It's a long and complicated story, but I've been searching for you for years. I'd like to explain everything, if you're willing to listen."I sat there, frozen, a whirlwind of emotions running through me. All my life, I'd wondered about my
Adrian's grip on my hips tightens as the water continues to cascade over us. His voice, harsh and commanding, cuts through the steamy air. "You will not see your father again, Stella. Do you understand me?"Defiance rises within me. I refuse to be controlled like this. "You can't tell me what to do, Adrian," I snap, turning my head to glare at him over my shoulder.His eyes darken with a dangerous glint. "Is that so?" he murmurs, his tone icy. "It seems I need to teach you a lesson about obedience."Before I can react, he spins me around to face him, pressing me against the cool, tiled wall. His hands are firm on my wrists, pinning them above my head. The contrast of the hot water and the cold tiles sends a shiver down my spine."Adrian," I begin, but he cuts me off with a bruising kiss, his lips demanding and relentless. When he pulls back, his eyes bore into mine, filled with a possessive fury."You think you can defy me?" he growls, his voice low and menacing. "I'll make sure you u
As I descend the grand staircase, my cheeks flush warm with the memory of Adrian and me in the shower not long ago. The ghost of his touch lingers on my skin, and I have to take a deep breath to compose myself before entering the dining hall.Sebastian, Mark, Daisy, Gabriella, and Adrian are already seated as I approach the table. Just as I'm about to take my place, Gabriella lets out a sudden gasp."Oh!" she exclaims, her hands flying to her swollen belly. "The baby just kicked!"I watch, my heart sinking, as Adrian's face lights up. He moves quickly to Gabriella's side, placing his hand on her stomach. The smile that spreads across his face as he feels the movement twists something inside me."That's incredible," he murmurs, his eyes soft with wonder.I hate this. I hate seeing him so attentive to her, especially after what we just shared. The intimacy of our moment in the shower feels tainted now, and I struggle to push down the jealousy rising in my throat.Mark and Daisy flock to
It's been two days since I last felt Adrian's touch. Two agonizing days of watching Gabriella monopolize his time with her manipulative lies.Upon exiting the bathroom I step out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, I'm lost in these bitter thoughts. Entering my room, I stop short. Adrian is there, sitting on the edge of my bed, his presence both thrilling and infuriating."Stella," he says, his voice soft. "How are you?"I ignore him, moving to my dresser searching for a suitable panty to put on. The tension in the room is evident."Listen, I wanted to explain about Gabriella—" Adrian begins, but I cut him off."You don't need to explain yourself," I say, my voice flat. "I understand."I can see his reflection in the mirror, watch as he stands and approaches me. His hand reaches out, aiming to touch my shoulder, but I step away."Don't," I say, wrapping my arms around myself. "Please, just don't."The hurt in his eyes is clear, but right now, I can't bring myself to care. The pain of t