When he mentioned my pregnancy, I narrowed my eyes at him and wondered how the Hell he knew about my condition. For several days, I tried to ignore the issue. As soon as I noticed the delay in my monthly period, I purchased a pregnancy kit that could help me confirm my suspicion.
When it was time to use it, I waited patiently, and when it turned out to be positive, I nearly collapsed inside the bathroom. It was such a shocking turn of events, but I couldn’t blame anyone for my negligence. I wasn’t taking birth control pills when I allowed him to sleep with me. It was reckless, but I was not thinking correctly during those times and let my emotions take over my mind. I let my emotions control me, so I had to bear the consequences of my actions.
“I am going to raise my child alone,” I declared in front of my father.
“Says who? I won’t let you ruin our reputation,” he stated in a monotone which was even scarier.
“Daddy! What about my life? Is it more important than our name? Are you willing to ruin me to save your blasted name? How heartless you can you be to your only daughter?” Numerous questions wanted to come out of my mouth, but then it was too hard to speak even a single word and just let my tears fall, and turned around without saying anything! I was aware of his treatment, but it was the least I had expected from my father.
“Selena! Open the damn door!” He shouted outside my room, but I ignored him. I didn’t listen to him, and I didn’t cringe even when he kicked the door.
He shouted for my name several times, but I didn’t give a damn. I tried to play some music to block every sound coming from outside, but later on, I was pissed at listening to those hurtful lyrics and turned it off.
However, the silence was deafening, and it was even worse!
“No, I’m not going to marry him!”
When I woke up in the morning, I refused to look at my reflection in the mirror because I knew that I would only look horrible after crying all night. When I went downstairs for breakfast, I immediately searched for my aunt, but she was not around.
“Good morning, Selena!”
I glared at the man who greeted me first, and his wide grin faded immediately upon seeing my expression. “What’s good in the morning, Robert?” I asked him, and the darn man just ignored my crankiness and acted calmly. Robert Dixon has been a friend from the university where I took Business Management, and he was related to Layla. I wondered if his businesses have suffered financially or he wouldn’t be desperate to offer himself as a sacrificial lamb.
“Well, it’s good to see your pretty face again,” he declared, and my father was pleased with his casual remark.
“Did my father tell you that I am carrying another man’s child?” The inquiry has shocked both men who were at the table, but I couldn’t be stopped. I should put an end to his delusion that some would be willing to raise another man’s child without raising a concern.
“Yes,” Robert replied without changing his expression. He remained calm, and I couldn’t tell if he was disappointed at the news.
“And yet, you want to proceed with this ridiculous wedding,” I told him while taking a sip of the coffee that was served, but Robert suddenly took the cup away.
“If you’re pregnant, then you should minimize drinking coffee. It’s not good for the baby,” he stated with sincerity in his voice.
“Oh my God! Are you going to do this?” I was disappointed at Robert’s nonchalant attitude early in the morning.
“Why not? It’s a good partnership, and both of us can benefit from it,” he answered without considering future events.
“What if you will fall in love with another woman while being married to me? It would be a disaster!”
“If she’s richer than you, then I may consider voiding our marriage.”
“W-what?”
“Darling, this is a business arrangement,” he added, and I felt so disgusted at every word coming out of his mouth.
When I glanced at my father, he was oblivious to the harsh exchange of words between Robert and me. “You will regret it, I assure you,” I warned him that marrying me would be similar to living in Hell, and he just chuckled.
“You should be happy about this, Selena.”
“Happy? Never! Daddy, please don’t force me into this…again!” I ended up begging at Felix Montes, but he was so heartless, just like the last time. “Sometimes, I wonder if you are truly my father,” I murmured, and the response I got from him was shocking. After he slammed the table, he stood up and left.
“You are a scumbag if you’re going to proceed with this, Robert. Please, don’t waste your future with me,” I told him.
“Practically speaking, my future is brighter if I am going to do this. After all, you are the only heir of Felix Montes,” he stated the obvious on why he agreed to marry me.
“Bastard!” I cursed at him, but Robert was stubborn as a bull, and he just continued eating his breakfast without totally minding me.
“Calm down, dear. Sooner or later, you will find out that it’s a win-win situation for both of us,” he told me.
“A win-win situation? Who are you kidding? You are just going to use me and my money!”
“That and some other reasons,” he replied.
“Does Layla know about you being a scheming bastard? I bet she would be shocked to know that his honourable cousin has gone too low to do this.”
“Watch your mouth, Selena, or you will regret it,” he warned me, and the intensity of his gaze caused me to shiver.
“Is that a threat? Why, Robert? Do you plan to kill me after the wedding? Hah, if you believe that you can have everything under my name after killing me, think again. There’s no way I will proceed with this wedding without a prenuptial agreement!”
“What if you will think about the positive side of this union? Look at me, Selena. Am I not handsome? You knew me longer than that guy, and you used to like me!”
“Yeah, I used to like you, but it’s all in the past, and I had no idea about this scary character of you. God, I regret having a crush on a guy like yourself!” Robert just laughed, as if the words coming out of my mouth were not spiteful and full of anger. I sighed in disappointment when I couldn’t put some sense into Robert’s thick skull and stood up to leave.
“Sit down and eat,” he ordered.
“Did you just order me to sit down?” I was aghast at the way he said those words because it reminded me about Lee. I closed my eyes before I glowered them towards Robert. “Know your place in this household, sir!”
“Do you think I don’t know that? In a few weeks, you are going to be my wife, and once it happened, you are bound to serve me day and night!”
“If you are trying to scare me right now, I’m shivering in fear,” I made fun of his warning. When I looked at him again, I was shocked that he could look so menacing and scary, just like Lee when he’s mad.
“Sit down, or I will not hesitate to spank you like an undisciplined toddler!”
“Scary,” I replied and proceeded to walk away.