POV: LAURENI watched that arrogant, imposing man in his impeccable suit walk away, hand in hand with the adorable boy with bright eyes. The boy, however, kept looking back, his sad expression mirroring what I felt inside.“I understand your pain,” I thought, feeling the tightness in my chest. He was so young, facing something so difficult.Suddenly, the boy let go of his hand and ran back to me, gripping the fabric of my clothes with determination.“Please, fairy, you like me, don’t you?” he asked with captivating sweetness, blinking his eyelashes innocently. “I promise I’ll behave. Stay with me!”I held his small hands, surprised and thoughtful.“Of course I like you, my brave little one,” I replied with a smile, watching relief light up his face.“Then you’ll take care of me?” he asked hopefully, bouncing with excitement as he swung my hands.“And? Will you accept?” That firm, commanding voice interrupted, drawing my attention. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, radiating the
POV: LAURENWe stopped in front of the imposing mansion gates, and I couldn’t help but glance around in admiration. It was larger and more grand than the house I grew up in. I felt small, warm hands clutching mine. Looking down, I was met with Theodor’s sweetest and most innocent smile.Was this what it felt like to have a child by your side? My heart tightened at the thought that soon I’d be holding my own child’s tiny hands.“Come on, Fairy!” Theo exclaimed with the typical excitement of a child. “I want to show you the house. There are so many places to play!”Before I could say anything, he was already tugging at my hand, leading me inside. The entrance was just as impressive as the exterior. We moved toward the staircase when we heard the distinct sound of someone clearing their throat behind us.“Did you forget about me?” Henry’s firm, commanding voice filled the space, cutting through Theo’s enthusiasm. He stood in the hallway, casually yet dominantly poised, one hand in his po
POV: LAURENAfter my conversation with Henry Carter and under his ever-skeptical gaze, I left the office feeling drained. One of the housemaids guided me to the room adjacent to Theodor’s. After a quick shower, I noticed a tray of fruits and juice placed strategically on the small table next to the bed. Besides, it was a piece of letterhead titled “House Schedule” and, just below, “Theodor Carter’s Agenda.”Sitting on the bed, I picked up the paper curiously. The schedule was meticulous, detailing times for almost every imaginable activity. I had the distinct feeling that if I looked closely enough, there might even be a scheduled time for bathroom breaks.“Henry Carter doesn’t mess around when it comes to control,” I murmured, taking a sip of juice as I flipped through the pages.When I reached Theodor’s agenda, my expression shifted to something between disbelief and concern. The routine was exhausting, even for an adult. It included language lessons, traditional school curriculum s
POV: LAURENKeeping up with Theodor’s demanding routine was truly challenging. His schedule was so packed that almost every afternoon he ended up completely exhausted. Henry, as usual, didn’t compromise on perfection. He was strict about punctuality, posture, impeccable appearance, and especially Theo’s grades.“Theodor, you need to apply yourself more!” Henry said sternly, his voice tinged with concern as he looked over the test papers on the table. He let out a long sigh, clearly tired, softening his tone slightly. “If you’re struggling with the material, I can arrange tutoring for you or even teach you myself. What do you think, champ?”“More studying, Uncle Henry?” Theo grumbled, his tone nervous as he crossed his arms and pouted. “I don’t want to!”“But you need to!” Henry shot back without hesitation, exhaling in frustration. “Theo, I want to ensure you have a great future. Why can’t you see that? You’re a Carter—this empire will be yours someday.”“Sure, until you have your own
POV: LAURENIn the middle of a busy morning, Henry informed me that he had an important meeting in his office and made it very clear that Theo was not to disturb him. I decided to use the time to play with the little one and ease some of the tension that had built up over the past few days.While we were playing hide-and-seek, I started to feel unusually nauseous—something that had become more frequent due to my pregnancy. I tried to ignore the discomfort as I ran toward the “wall” that marked the end of the game, but I couldn’t hold it in. I dashed to the bed and threw up, emptying my stomach completely.Theo saw me in that state and looked visibly frightened. He came over, rubbing my back with his small hands in a sweet yet deeply worried gesture.“Fairy, are you okay?” he asked, his voice trembling. “Are you going to die?”Before I could calm him down, Theo turned around and bolted toward the mansion, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Uncle Henry, hurry! The fairy is sick!”“Theo,
POV: HENRYI leaned in, just enough for my nose to graze lightly against her neck, inhaling that sweet, intoxicating perfume. She froze, but her body trembled slightly, and the fine hairs on the back of her neck stood on end in my proximity.“Never seen a man naked before?” I teased, my voice low and rough, dripping with sarcasm. “Didn't you like what you saw?”She opened her mouth, but only a nervous sound came out. Her eyes darted to my hands, then back to my arms. Finally, she let out a shaky sigh and stammered:“I… it was inappropriate. I apologize for intruding into your room.”I tilted my head, observing every detail of her body language.“Is that what you did?” I asked, keeping my tone deliberately low and seductive. I stepped closer, shrinking the already small space between us. My chest almost brushed her back, and I could hear her breathing grow heavier. I slid a hand along her arm, up to her shoulder, gently brushing aside the cascade of her hair. Leaning in, I whispered ne
POV: LAURENAfter sharing my idea with Henry and hearing his reluctant agreement to participate more in Theodor’s small activities, I left his room with my heart still racing. That man knew exactly how to provoke a woman, and that made him dangerous.“As if he’d ever be interested in a divorced, broke, and pregnant woman!” I muttered to myself.The next day, I decided to plan a special movie night for Theodor—something simple, but enough to take some weight off his intense routine.“But Uncle Henry doesn’t let me eat junk food,” Theo said with a hesitant air, crossing his arms. “He’s so boring and no fun.”“Theo, that’s not fair,” I corrected him gently, offering a small smile. “Your uncle is just trying to take care of you and make sure you stay healthy.”He sighed, but I noticed his eyes sparkled with the idea of breaking a rule.“So... just tonight?” he asked quietly, as if someone might overhear us.“It’ll be our little secret,” I whispered, winking at him, watching his face light
POV: HENRYI walked into the kitchen, annoyed by James’s delay in returning with the drinks. The moment I entered, I found him standing by the counter, his hand midair as if he’d been caught red-handed. He ran his fingers through his hair, a gesture that seemed to mask something, and took a step back.James flashed me a cynical smile, clearly trying to maintain his composure.“Everything’s fine, buddy,” he said in that irritatingly casual tone of his. “I didn’t know Lauren Becker was your latest hire. Pleasant surprise. I thought I’d say hi, and we ended up chatting a bit, catching up.”My eyes narrowed as I listened. Crossing my arms, I studied his overly relaxed posture before shifting my gaze to Lauren. She was fidgeting with her pajamas, her trembling hands giving away her unease as she avoided looking at me. Something was off, and my patience was wearing t
POV: LAUREN“Daughter, is that how you greet your mother?” My mom frowned, placing her hands firmly on her hips as she stared at me with disapproval. “This handsome man called me, saying my little girl needed me. You're pregnant, you need rest, and maybe a little motherly love would help you feel better.”My eyes widened, and I immediately turned to Henry, glaring at him as if I could set him on fire with my stare.“You called my mother?” I asked through clenched teeth, feeling my body heat with indignation. “And you told her about the pregnancy?!”He remained calm, as imposing as ever.“Actually, your mother saw the news about your dramatic entrance to the hospital in the arms of CEO Henry Carter,” Kate interjected, holding my mom's purse and trying to ease the tension. “So, let’s just say she kind of threatened to storm
POV: LAURENHenry seemed determined to keep his role as my personal watchdog, spending more time in the bedroom than he probably should. He brought in a small table and set up his laptop, working while keeping a close eye on me.I watched his face as he focused, his expression serious, his jaw tight. His blue eyes glowed under the light of the screen, and the slight twitch of his mouth told me something was bothering him.My attention drifted to his perfectly shaped lips—the same ones that knew exactly how to steal my breath and leave me speechless. His clean-shaven jaw, his impeccable posture… Henry Carter was the kind of CEO straight out of a magazine cover, the kind that made any woman sigh and wish she were in his bed.And, well… I was in his bed.“I can feel your eyes on me, Becker,” he murmured without looking away from the screen, though a charming smile
POV: ETHAN“What did you just say, James?” I gripped the phone tightly, feeling rage pulse at my temples.“You heard me loud and clear, buddy,” James chuckled on the other end, his voice dripping with amusement. “I said your ex-wife, Lauren Becker, is pregnant with none other than Henry Carter’s child. It looks like he didn’t just surpass you in wealth, but in other ways too.”My jaw clenched, and fury ignited inside me like an uncontrollable blaze.“Where the hell did you hear this nonsense?!” I shouted, anger consuming me.“Straight from the source, my friend,” James replied, his sarcastic tone only fueling my irritation. “I thought I’d give you a heads-up before the high society charity event. After all, the lovebirds will probably be there, flaunting their happiness and announcing the big news. The newest C
POV: HENRYAfter a few days, Lauren was finally discharged from the hospital. The doctor emphasized the need for complete rest, a balanced diet, and—much to her embarrassment—no intimate activity.When he mentioned that last part, Lauren choked on her own saliva, coughing as her face turned a deep shade of red.I held back a laugh, simply watching her discomfort.On the way home, she remained silent, avoiding my gaze whenever I tried to start a conversation. But once we arrived, her posture shifted.She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, looking up as if assessing the distance to her room.“What do you think you're doing?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.“I'm climbing the stairs.” She frowned, throwing me a defiant look.“The doctor said no exertion, remember?” I crossed my arms, waiti
POV: JAMES“Lauren has a natural beauty,” I commented, barely hiding my amusement.In an instant, a pillow came flying straight at my face.“You’ve always been an idiot obsessed with her!” Mia growled, her eyes blazing with anger. “You should have dragged that pathetic girl into a bathroom at prom and forced her to marry you!”My grin widened.“Good point,” I laughed, leaning back. “And without a doubt, I wouldn’t have failed to get her pregnant.”Mia froze. Her eyes narrowed in an instant, scanning my face as if trying to decipher something.“What the hell do you mean by that, James?” Her voice was sharp.She yanked the glass from my hand before I could finish my drink and leaned in closer.“What do you know that I don’t?”
POV: JAMESI walked through Mia’s mansion gates without rushing, savoring the chaos already unfolding inside. The sharp, shrill sound of her hysterical voice echoed through the house as I approached her atelier.As soon as I crossed the door, I had to step aside quickly when a mannequin was hurled in my direction, crashing violently against the wall.“I ALREADY TOLD YOU THIS FABRIC IRRITATES MY SKIN, YOU USELESS IDIOT!” Mia screamed, her face twisted in rage as she berated a terrified assistant.The poor guy clutched a clipboard, trembling, while Mia pointed at a dress on a pedestal as if it were the greatest tragedy of the century.“Do something useful and bring me a carmine piece from Mondely’s collection!” she ordered.“But, Miss, he’s no longer taking orders…” the assistant tried to argue but immediately sile
POV: JAMESI touched my sore chin, the metallic taste of blood spreading through my mouth. Something felt loose. I spat into my hand and saw a piece of my broken tooth.My blood boiled.“You stupid bastard!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the hospital corridors. “That damn bastard is going to pay for what he did!”I took a deep breath, trying to control my anger, but the fury pulsed through my veins. Henry Carter would regret laying hands on me.Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a nurse hurrying down the hallway toward the patient rooms.Perfect.With two quick strides, I grabbed her arm and yanked her roughly against the wall. My body leaned in, my hands flattening against the wall beside her head, trapping her.“Princess, you’re just the one I was looking for.” I smirked
POV: LAUREN“I don’t like having my own words used against me,” he murmured, his tone laced with irony. “But I have to admit, that was an excellent argument.”I rolled my eyes, letting out a softchuckle.“Don’t be so full of yourself.”He just smiled, satisfied, while I leaned back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling. But my mind was elsewhere.The truth weighed heavily on my shoulders.I needed to tell him before things spiraled even further out of control.I swallowed hard, feeling anxiety creep in. Taking a deep breath, I shifted on the bed, trying to find the right words.“Henry, I need to tell you something.” My voice came out hesitant, and he turned to me patiently, waiting for me to continue.My hands were cold, my heart pounding against my chest. It was now or never.“My pregnancy… I mean, my baby isn’t…”Before I could finish, an unfamiliar voice cut through the moment, dripping with irony and mockery.“Well, well, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw
POV: HENRYI gasped at the feeling of his firm touch, his warm hand wrapping around the nape of my neck, holding me still under his penetrating gaze that seemed to see right through me. My heart pounded, and my body reacted to his proximity in a way I didn’t want to admit.Why was Henry acting like this? What did he really want from me?“Henry, why do you insist on this so much?” My voice came out low, almost hesitant. I tried to pull away, but he only tightened his grip slightly, keeping me exactly where he wanted.A slow smile curled at the corner of his lips, full of mystery and something else that made my breath hitch.“You ask too many questions, Becker.” His voice was a husky murmur, laced with something dangerous. “And yet, you keep avoiding the ones I ask.”My hands instinctively slid to his shoulders, feeling the heat of his skin beneath the fabric of his shirt. My chest rose and fell rapidly, my breathing completely erratic.“Carter…” I swallowed hard, feeling the tension be