Chapter 15: So You’re Carrying My Child?
Caroline’s mind raced as she processed the words on the medical report. Pregnant? She could hardly believe it, the reality of the situation settling in. She hadn’t been with anyone except for that one night—her wedding night—when a stranger had come to her in a hotel room. The heat of their bodies, the blurred lines of the encounter, the lack of knowing who he was or even what he looked like, all seemed like a distant memory now. But this, the pregnancy, was undeniable.
What was she supposed to do now? Keep the baby? Or not?
Caroline had always longed for a connection, for someone who shared her blood, a true family. As an orphan, she had spent so much of her life wanting that bond. And now that she was pregnant, could she really ignore the chance to bring this child into the world?
Taking a deep breath, she calmed her nerves and turned to the doctor.
“Thank you,” Caroline said softly, her voice still a little shaky. “Can I ask you for a favor?”
The doctor looked at her expectantly.
“Of course,” he replied.
“Please keep my pregnancy confidential,” she said, offering a faint smile. “I want to tell my family myself.”
The doctor nodded.
“Certainly.”
Caroline exhaled in relief, knowing her pregnancy would remain a secret for now. This was her decision to make, and it would be on her terms. She made up her mind—this baby was hers, and no matter who the father was, she would decide the future.
Later that day, Caroline returned to the Ellison residence after her IV treatment. The moment she stepped into the living room, her eyes immediately found David, sitting on the sofa, his posture stiff and commanding.
“Not dead yet?” he asked coldly, his eyes narrowing as he watched her.
“Thanks to you, I’m still alive,” Caroline shot back, her tone sharp, as though challenging him.
David’s gaze flicked over her, unimpressed, his lips curving into a slight smirk.
“You’re pretty capable, getting my mom to rescue you,” David remarked, his tone almost mocking. “Quite the strategy.”
“I can’t figure out how someone as kind as your mom could have such a cold-blooded, heartless son,” Caroline retorted, her words dripping with venom.
David’s smirk faded, and his eyes became colder.
“Caroline,” he said, his voice suddenly sharp, “it seems you’ve forgotten why you ended up in the punishment room.”
Her heart sank. She knew exactly what he was talking about—her disobedience, her defiance, everything that had led to this moment.
But now, with the baby inside her, the stakes were higher. She couldn’t afford to push him too far, at least not right now.
Caroline stayed silent, her mind calculating her next move. She had to be careful, strategic.
The room fell into an oppressive silence, the tension thick. Finally, David broke the stillness.
“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.
Caroline swallowed her pride.
“I wouldn’t dare disturb Mr. David,” she replied, her tone controlled. “I’ll just head to my room now.”
If she couldn’t win this battle, she’d retreat. It was better to bide her time, to protect herself and the baby.
But before she could leave, David’s voice stopped her.
“Stop.”
Caroline froze in her tracks, her heart racing. She turned slowly to face him.
“You haven’t apologized yet,” David said, his gaze steely.
He was relentless, determined to break her down, to remind her of her place. She knew it.
No one had dared to defy him like she had. He was used to crushing people who challenged him. And if he wanted to crush her, it would be as easy as stepping on an ant.
Caroline closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and then turned back toward him.
“I’m sorry, Mr. David,” she said, her voice soft but filled with forced sincerity. “It was my fault. You’re magnanimous, a man with a heart as big as the ocean. Please don’t stoop to my level. I promise I’ll never go against you again. Please forgive me.”
She bowed deeply, perfecting the form of her apology, hoping it would appease him.
But just as she was about to straighten up, disaster struck.
Her bag, which she hadn’t fully zipped, spilled open onto the floor. Items scattered across the carpet, and in the chaos, her pregnancy report fell out.
Her heart dropped into her stomach.
She scrambled to pick up the papers, her hands shaking as she tried to stuff them back into her bag. But before she could grab the report, a pair of polished black leather shoes appeared in front of her.
“And what’s this?” David asked, his voice low and filled with menace.
He bent down, picking up the report slowly. Caroline’s breath hitched.
“That’s mine!” she cried, lunging forward to snatch it from his hands.
But David raised his hand high, keeping the paper just out of her reach. No matter how much she jumped, she couldn’t reach it.
He unfurled the paper with a slow, deliberate motion, glancing at it casually. But the instant he read its contents, his expression changed, darkening with fury.
“Caroline,” he thundered, his voice cold and dangerous, “so you’ve ended up carrying my child after all!”
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.
