Kylie
Once we reached my room, Atlas shut the door behind us, and the silence between us grew louder. I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands trembling as I rested them on my lap. He knelt down in front of me, his hands resting on my knees, his warm touch grounding me.
"Kylie," he began, his voice low and steady. "We need to talk about what just happened."
I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "Atlas, I’m sorry," I whispered. "I never meant for any of this to happen. You shouldn’t have to deal with this."
He sighed, his thumb gently tracing circles on my knee. "I told you, I’ll help you through this. But we need to be careful. Vaness won’t let this go. She’s determined to find out the truth."
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "You don’t have to keep pretending, Atlas," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t want you to suffer because of me. I never should’ve dragged you into this."
He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes were filled with understanding, but also something deeper—an unwavering determination. "You didn’t drag me into this, Kylie. I chose to help you. I’ll protect you and the baby, no matter what."
Tears stung at the corners of my eyes. He was too good, too selfless. And I didn’t deserve it. "But it’s not your responsibility," I whispered, my voice trembling. "The baby… it’s not yours to begin with, Atlas."
His expression didn’t falter. He had known this from the beginning, but hearing the words aloud seemed to solidify the weight of the situation. "I know," he said quietly. "But I’m still here, and I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure this out, together."
I didn’t have the strength to argue anymore. The burden of hiding the truth had taken its toll on me, and Atlas’s quiet resolve only made me feel more conflicted. How could I let him sacrifice so much for a lie? How could I let him take on the weight of this child, knowing it wasn’t his?
Days passed and I’m still not okay with this, knowing that I have a burden to carry yet still their life moves forward, but here I am still stuck with this problem and can’t vent out. My problem with Vaness, that I know she can’t accept the fact that Atlas, the guy that she loved, was really helping me through this thing and I know where she’s coming from. But I can’t accept the fact that both her and aunt Celeste wanted our wealth.
Each day I saw how they really prepared our wedding like it was an extravagant experience, I don’t know why they wanted this to happen, is it because of my pregnancy? Or they really wanted this to happen so that they can do the collaboration that they really wanted so that they can be unstoppable in the business world.
“Why are you still here, Kylie? You should get rest,” Atlas’s mom told me. I smiled at her like I really meant it. I don’t know what to say, because I really saw in their eyes how they are looking forward to this to happen. But afraid not, this is not what I wanted, I don’t want to hurd Atlas, I don’t want him to suffer just to help me get through this. This is not me, this is not the Kylie that I knew.
This is my problem and I should be the one who will fix this. I should not let other people interfere and involve them in this kind of mess. I want him to be free, because he deserves it. He doesn't deserve to be tied up in this mess, even though his feelings are real, but that is not a valid reason for me to use him. So even though everyone will paint me as a bad one, I will and fully accept it, because this is the problem that I’m facing.
Dinner that night was tense. My father sat at the head of the table, his presence domineering as always. Celeste, ever the perfect wife, sat by his side, sipping her wine while Vaness shot me cold glares from across the table. My hands were trembling as I pushed the food around on my plate, but I knew there was no backing out now.
“You know what, the venue is really good. One thing, Kylie, you should go to the designer tomorrow so that you can chose the gown that you will be wearing to your big day,” dad said with fully smile on his face like it was a dream for him to see his daughter walk on the isle and marry the man that will give her life.
But sadly, because those smiles are for his goal, and that goal which is the collaboration of Valdez and Robert’s business.
"I have something to say," I said, my voice wavering slightly. All eyes turned toward me, and the room grew eerily quiet. My father raised an eyebrow, his usual impatience barely concealed.
"Well, go on then," he grumbled, setting his fork down. This is the right time to tell them about this. I know that he will be mad but I will accept it.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "The baby I’m carrying… it’s not Atlas’s."
The silence that followed was suffocating. My father’s face turned a dangerous shade of red, and Celeste’s wine glass paused halfway to her lips. Vaness sat back, a smug look of satisfaction spreading across her face.
"What?" my father finally growled, his voice low and filled with fury. "What did you just say?"
I swallowed hard, my throat tightening. "The baby… isn’t Atlas’s. I made a mistake, and it happened with someone else. Atlas offered to help me, but I can’t keep lying to you. To any of you."
The silence stretched on, thick and heavy. My father’s expression darkened, and the tension in the room became unbearable. He stood abruptly, the chair scraping harshly against the floor.
"Who is he?" he demanded, his voice booming through the dining room. "Tell me who the father is!"
I lowered my gaze, unwilling to meet his eyes. "I… I can’t tell you that," I whispered.
His fist slammed down onto the table, rattling the silverware and causing Celeste to jump in her seat. "You can’t tell me? You disgrace this family, and you refuse to tell me who’s responsible for this?"
I flinched, the weight of his anger crashing over me. But I couldn’t give him Rage’s name. I knew if I did, it would only make things worse. Rage was the head of Montez Enterprises, our family’s bitter rival. If my father found out I was carrying his child, the fallout would be catastrophic.
"Kylie," my father’s voice softened slightly, a dangerous edge creeping in. "You will tell me who he is, or I’ll make sure this problem is dealt with another way."
My stomach twisted in fear, but I held my ground. "It doesn’t matter who he is, Dad. I’m keeping the baby."
For a brief moment, it seemed like the world stopped. Then, my father’s face contorted in rage. "You’re keeping it?" he spat, his voice dripping with disgust. "You want to keep this bastard child and ruin everything we’ve worked for?"
I stood straighter, summoning every ounce of strength I had. "Yes. I’m keeping my child. You can say whatever you want about me, but I will not let you dictate what happens to my baby."
Celeste placed a hand on my father’s arm, trying to calm him, but his eyes never left mine. "You will not shame this family. You’ll go to the clinic tomorrow and get rid of this mistake, or you can leave this house and never come back."
The words hit me like a blow to the chest. I felt my knees weaken, but I forced myself to stay upright. My own father was asking me to choose between my child and my family. And yet, I already knew the answer.
Tears streamed down my face, but my voice was steady. "I won’t do it. I won’t kill my baby just to save your pride."
His face twisted in disgust, and he pointed toward the door. "Then get out. You’re no daughter of mine. Leave, and don’t you dare come back."
Celeste sat back, her expression cold and detached, while Vaness looked far too pleased with the outcome. Atlas, who had remained silent the entire time, reached for me, his face stricken with guilt and pain.
"Atlas, don’t," I said softly, stepping out of his reach. "This isn’t your fight. I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I have to do this alone."
He looked like he wanted to argue, but I shook my head. "I can’t let you give up your life for me. You deserve more than this."
The silence that followed was suffocating. My father’s words echoed in my mind, but there was no room for regret. This was my decision, and I would stand by it.
"I’ll leave tonight," I said, turning away from the table, ignoring the ache in my chest as I walked out of the dining room.
Packing was a blur. I stuffed as many clothes as I could into a suitcase, my hands trembling with the rush of adrenaline. I couldn’t believe this was happening. My entire life was here, and now I was being forced to leave it all behind. But it didn’t matter. All that mattered was protecting my child. No matter what.
As I zipped up my suitcase, I heard a knock at my door. For a moment, I thought it was my father, maybe even Vaness coming to gloat, but when I opened the door, it was Atlas.
"Let me help you," he said quietly, stepping into the room.
I shook my head, my heart aching at the sight of him. "Atlas, please. Don’t make this harder than it already is."
"I can’t just let you leave like this," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I love you, Kylie. I don’t care if the baby isn’t mine. I want to be there for you, for both of you."
Tears welled up in my eyes again, and I forced a smile. "I know you do, and that’s why I have to go. You deserve a life where you don’t have to bear someone else’s mistakes."
He opened his mouth to argue, but I stepped closer, placing a hand on his cheek. "You’ve done enough. You’ve been more than anyone could ask for, and I’ll never forget that. But I can’t let you ruin your future for me."
His shoulders slumped in defeat, and he nodded slowly. "If you ever need anything, anything at all, I’ll be there."
I nodded, wiping away the tears that refused to stop falling. "Thank you, Atlas. For everything.Now, I’m setting you free."
I left that night, slipping quietly out of the mansion with my suitcase in hand. There was no grand farewell, no tearful goodbyes. My father had made his choice, and I had made mine.
With the money I had saved, I booked a one-way flight to New York, where my grandmother lived. She was the only family I had left, and I knew she would take me in without question. As the plane took off, the lights of the city disappearing beneath me, I placed a hand on my stomach, feeling the faint flutter of life within me.
"I’ll protect you," I whispered, my voice steady despite the tears. "No matter what."
Kylie The air was different in New York. Colder, sharper. The moment I stepped off the plane, the city’s unfamiliar sounds washed over me like a wave—horns blaring, people talking in hurried voices, and the constant hum of life moving at a relentless pace. It was nothing like home.But that was the point.I clutched my suitcase tightly, my heart pounding in my chest. This was my new life now, far away from the drama and tension that had defined everything back home. Far away from the cold judgment of my father and the scheming eyes of Celeste and Vaness. Here, I was just Kylie. Not the daughter of a wealthy businessman, not the woman caught in a web of lies. Just me.My grandmother was waiting for me at the airport, her face lighting up as soon as she saw me. Her gray hair was pulled into a neat bun, and she wore the same kind of warm, practical clothes I remembered from
KylieI could taste every drop of alcohol as it flowed down my throat while everyone around me cheered in delight. I didn't know why I was doing this, but one thing was certain—I wanted to escape. I wanted to break free from the pain weighing down my heart. I was tired of sulking in a corner, but I also didn't know how to face all of this. It hurt me to see myself suffering, but it seemed like I had no other choice but to flee from reality."Drink more, Kylie!" shouted Vaness, my cousin, with a teasing and mocking tone. She wasn't my real cousin, but she was the closest relative I had in our new family setup. I grabbed another glass and downed it, hoping that every drop of alcohol would wash away the wounds in my soul.As the night deepened and the drinks piled up, I felt the pain in my heart slowly fading. But despite my efforts to forget everything, the weight of my emotions seemed to grow heavier. I carried every heartache and problem with me as I forced myself to smile. I couldn’t
KylieAfter everything that happened, I stumbled into the bathroom, my body still trembling from the intensity of our encounter. The lingering heat between my thighs and the sheen of sweat covering my skin reminded me of how wild and passionate it had been. I needed to clean myself, to wash away the evidence of our shared hunger. The cool water would help soothe the fever still burning inside me, a fever stoked by alcohol and the relentless desire that seemed impossible to quench.I turned on the shower, letting the cold water rain down on me, hoping it would cool the fire within. The shock of the cold made me shiver, but it was a welcome relief from the heat that had consumed me. I closed my eyes, leaning my head back as the water cascaded over my face, washing away the sweat and the haze of alcohol. For a moment, I let myself drift, trying to reclaim a sense of normalcy after the whirlwind of emotions and sensations that had overtaken me.But just as I began to find some peace, I fe
KylieI woke up to a splitting headache, my body aching from the aftermath of last night. The throbbing pain reminded me of how intense things had gotten. We didn’t just do it once; we went at it multiple times. I turned my head to the side, curious to see who I had spent the night with. That’s when I truly appreciated Rage’s face. Even in sleep, he looked striking—his strong, chiseled features, the sharp bridge of his nose, and his mestizo complexion.It’s ironic how peaceful he looks while sleeping, yet so wild and untamed in bed. I never imagined my first time would be so memorable, and he made sure it was, exceeding all my expectations.I hadn’t anticipated anything happening between us. After all, we don’t love each other. But the way he pleasured me was something I hadn’t expected. He was incredibly skilled, leaving no doubt in my mind that women probably chased after him for more. It’s easy to see why they would—he’s the kind of man you’d crave again and again.I swallowed hard
KylieI don’t know why I’m still here. They won’t ask for my opinion on business matters since Dad knows he won’t get anything useful from me. But I’m here because they want Atlas to marry me for their own selfish reasons.I glance at Vaness, noticing the irritation and frustration etched on her face. I know exactly how much she wants Atlas. I’ve always known this day would come; it’s clear that she’s not genuine in her actions and that envy has always simmered beneath the surface.“Kylie,” Atlas calls my name, pulling me out of my thoughts. I take a deep breath, turning to face him with an expression devoid of any emotion. To me, Atlas is just a friend—nothing more. But that changed when he confessed his feelings for me. Since then, I’ve grown even more distant from him, especially after learning about the arranged marriage.
Kylie I sat by the pool, lost in thought, mulling over the things I had overheard earlier. I didn’t know how I would tell Dad about it; he never listens to me anyway, especially when it comes to matters I deem important.“So, this is where you’ve been hiding.” Atlas’s voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up at him and sighed deeply. I didn’t understand why he kept coming around, especially when he knew I couldn’t reciprocate the feelings he had for me. But he continued to approach me, undeterred.He took a seat beside me, but I didn’t acknowledge him, too preoccupied with my own thoughts. “Are you really not going to talk to me?” he asked gently.“Why are you here, Atlas? Haven’t I been clear enough about my feelings toward you? Why do you still want to marry me?” I asked, my voice tinged with frustra
Kylie We went to the hospital just as Atlas suggested. I was starting to feel better, so I told him we didn't need to go, but his concern was overwhelming, so we continued. While waiting for the results in one of the rooms, I was startled when the door suddenly opened and my father walked in, accompanied by my aunt.My heart skipped a beat. What were they doing here? We hadn't informed them that Atlas and I were at the hospital, so how did they find out?“Dad, what are you doing here? I thought you were at the office?” I asked, trying to mask the anxiety in my voice.“We came home early, and the maids told us you and Atlas came here. What happened?” His voice was laced with worry. I didn’t expect him to be this concerned about me.“Nothing yet, uncle. We’re still waiting for Kylie’s results,” Atlas responded, and my father nodded, though the concern in his eyes didn’t waver.“You didn’t need to come here. We can handle this on our own. It’s better if you wait for us outside. It’s emb
KylieWe were standing before them—Dad, Aunt Celeste, and now Vaness—facing the inevitable. My heart raced as I saw the expression on their faces. They could sense that something was off, and I could feel the weight of what was about to happen.I wanted to stop Atlas. This wasn’t his responsibility. He didn’t need to carry this burden, yet the determination in his eyes was undeniable. He wanted this—to stand by my side, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness and freedom. The sadness that washed over me was suffocating. He was willing to give up so much to form a family, just to help me."What do you have to say?" Dad’s voice was sharp, demanding. His gaze, more intense than I had ever felt, made the air between us heavy.The tension in the room thickened further when Vaness arrived. She looked at us, her face hard with confusion and suspicion.“What’s going on here, Aunt?” I heard her ask Aunt Celeste.“Well, they’ve been standing there for a while, but still, nothing’s come o