ARIA
The nausea hit me again in the waiting room. For a week, I'd felt terrible—exhausted, dizzy, unable to eat.
"Ms. Taylor?" The nurse called.
Dr. Stevens ran blood test. Twenty minutes later, she returned with my report.
"You're pregnant. Six weeks. "
The room spun. I gripped the chair, my old spine injury aching.
"That's impossible. "
"The blood test is conclusive. " she pushed the report towards me. I stared at it. Pregnant. Blake's child.
"If anyone asked, please don't tell anyone, " I said quickly. "This is my privacy, okay?"
"Of course. But please schedule a follow – up soon."
"I will, " I lied
In the elevator, I touched my flat stomach. A child. The thought should have bring joy. Instead, I felt only dread. Blake had made it clear — our arrangement was temporary. Business, not personal.
And a child was the unlimited complication.
Outside the hospital, the autumn wind cut through my coat. I stood there for a moment, watching other patients come and go with their families. Some held hands. Some laughed together.
I was alone.
My phone buzzed. Three missed calls from Jack.
"Aria's,where are you?" He whispered when I called back. "Mr. Morgan's been waiting for thirty minutes. He's furious. The CFO just left his office crying. "
I pressed my hand against my abdomen. I'm sorry, little one. Your father doesn't know you exist.
Twenty minutes later. I stood outside Blake's office door, taking a deep breath before knocking.
Blake stood near his office window's, his back rigid. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across his desk.
"You're thirty-five minutes late." His voice was cold. He didn't turn around.
"I apologise. I had a medical appointment. "
"You didn't put it on my calendar. "Now he turned, ice-blue eyes cutting into me. "You're job is to manage my schedule, Aria's. Not disrupt it."
"Yes, Mr. Morgan. "
"Tonight at seven, we're attending the carter family's charity gala." I swallowed hard. "I'm not feeling well. Could I-"
"Are you asking or telling me?" Не sat down, leaning back. "Because if you're asking, the answer is no."
Always so cold.
"I'll be ready," I said quietly.
"The Carters are important partners. Manufacturing contracts worth millions. You'll smile, be polite, and remember you're there as my wife." He picked up a pen, dismissing me.
Don't be late again."
Leaving his office. I thought about that night three years ago-the night that changed everything.
I was serving at a Morgan family party. My mother Christine had arranged the job-punishment for offending Emma Grant again.
The next morning, I woke up in Blake' s suite.
They said I drugged him. That I crawled into his bed. No one believed my protests.
Blake offered a choice: a five-year marriage contract to save his reputation, or criminal charges.
YOU ARE READING
The lost secret
Romance" You're the most shameless person in the world!" Aria's voice cracked. "For ten years, I gave you everything. My emotions, my dignity -all trampled in the mud while everyone laughed at me. And you still want more?" _______________________________...
