THE UNWANTED PROTECTOR

Lila's POV

“You know it has been one of your dreams to go to Florida, Lila,” Sophie said softly, watching my wary expression with concern.

“Yeah, on vacation.” I let out a humorless laugh, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. “Not like this. Not because I’m running away.”

Sophie sighed, reaching out to hold my hand, but I pulled away.

“Lila, please… you can’t stay here,” she whispered. “Why would you even want to? After everything he did to you—”

“I’m not staying because of him, goddammit!” I snapped, yanking my hands to my lap. “I built my life here! My job, my friends…everything I’ve worked for is here.”

Sophie’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes filled with frustration. “But at what cost? You can’t tell me you don’t see it, Lila. This city is a graveyard of your past. And Adrian…” She exhaled sharply, shaking her head.

I turned away, swallowing the lump in my throat. I didn’t want to think about Adrian.

I needed to change the subject.

Pushing to my feet, I forced a smile and clapped my hands together. “Enough of this depressing talk. I’m starving. Let’s make breakfast.”

Sophie frowned. “Lila—”

“Nope. I’m in desperate need of eggs and coffee.” I walked toward the kitchen, effectively cutting off the conversation.

She sighed but followed me. “Fine.”

I ignored her, pulling eggs from the fridge. As I cracked one against the bowl, a sudden wave of nausea rolled through me. My stomach twisted painfully, and I barely had time to drop the egg before running toward the sink.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” Sophie rushed to my side, her hand patting my back and holding up my hair as I gagged over the sink.

“I don’t know what—” I swallowed hard, trying to push down the rising bile.

Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “Lila… when was the last time you had your period?”

I froze. My blood ran cold as I did a mental count.

Oh.

Oh, no.

Sophie gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth. “Oh my God.”

I shook my head quickly. “No, it’s not… It’s just stress, Sophie.”

She arched her brow. “Stress is making you nauseous at the sight of an egg?”

I groaned, pressing my palms against the counter. “It’s not what you think.”

“There’s only one way to find out.” Sophie grabbed her purse and tossed it over her shoulder. “You’re coming with me to the hospital. Now.”

“Sophie, that’s not necessary—”

“Now, Lila.” She folded her arms, her expression leaving no room for argument.

I sighed, knowing there was no winning against her.

Deep down, I was terrified she might be right.

And she was.

"Congratulations, Miss Monroe. You're pregnant."

My breath hitched.

Pregnant.

The word slammed into my chest like a freight train, knocking the air right out of my lungs.

I blinked at the doctor, certain I had misheard her. “I…what?”

The doctor nodded with a professional smile. "You're about five weeks along. Judging by your symptoms, your body is already adjusting to the pregnancy. Nausea, fatigue, it’s all completely normal.”

I barely heard the doctor’s voice after that. The room felt like it was spinning.

Sophie squeezed my hand. “Lila?” she whispered.

“Are you sure?” My voice came out hoarse, almost foreign.

The doctor nodded. “A blood test confirmed it.”

I exhaled sharply, pressing my fingers to my temples. This couldn’t be happening.

“Thank you.” I gasped out, thanking the doctor and walking out of the room.

Sophie cleared her throat as she followed me. “Do you want to keep it?”

I didn’t answer right away. My heart and mind were at war. But as my hand drifted to my stomach, something inside me whispered ‘’yes.’’

But Adrian could never know.

If Adrian found out, he would fight for control over this baby.

No. I wouldn’t let that happen.

I turned to Sophie, my decision was made. “We need to leave New York.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re serious?”

I nodded, determination settling in my bones. “I have savings. Enough to get us to Florida and start fresh. I’ll find a job, change my number. Adrian can never find out about this baby.”

Sophie hesitated for a second before nodding. “Oka”

We spent the rest of the day making plans. Sophie booked the flights while I packed my essentials. By tomorrow morning, we would be gone.

But that night, everything changed.

I jolted awake at the sound of glass shattering.

My pulse skyrocketed as I sat up in bed, my breath coming in short gasps. Had I imagined it? Maybe it was just the wind…

Another crash echoed through the apartment.

My stomach clenched in fear. This was real.

Someone was inside.

My first instinct was to grab my phone and call Sophie, but before I could reach for it, the door burst open.

A dark figure loomed in the doorway, his face masked.

I barely had time to scream before he jumped at me.

His gloved hands wrapped around my throat before I could react. A strangled gasp escaped my lips as he squeezed, cutting off my air.

I clawed at his hands, kicking and thrashing beneath him, but he was strong—too strong.

My strength was slipping away, my body growing weaker by the second as spots appeared in my vision.

Was this how it ended?

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the apartment. The weight on top of me shifted as my attacker was ripped away.

I choked and coughed, sucking in ragged breaths as my vision cleared just enough to see a figure tackling the masked man to the ground.

My attacker groaned in pain as he was thrown against the dresser, his body slamming into it with a sickening thud.

I scrambled backward, pressing a trembling hand to my bruised throat.

The masked man staggered to his feet but didn’t waste another second, he bolted for the window, disappearing into the night.

My rescuer stood there for a moment, breathing heavily before slowly turning to face me.

The sight of him made my blood run cold.

Adrian.