Chapter 3 A SECRET UNFOLDS (Demilia’s POV)

“You’re looking pale,” Ethan’s voice startled me from behind as he met me leaning comfortably against the balcony railing. “Are you sick or just here sulking?”

I turned slowly to face, but forcing a false smile on. “Maybe I’m the type who's easily allergic to billionaires who think they are god and own people.”

As that was going on, I caught something that looks like a smirk just at the corner of his lips. It was completely cold, ruthless and unappealing. It was more like a warning, but had to go through the hassle if dressing it in mockery.

I watched as his mouth curved in something which could be seen as amusement, but I knew better that it didn’t reach his eyes. “Be warned, Demilia. You bite way too hard, that you might choke soon.”

“I’ll not hesitate to take my chances,” I shot back, but even at that, my stomach still churned, but surprisingly not from his words. It was coming from the now familiar and disturbing nausea that for reasons I know nothing about, had been haunting me for days.

Ethan’s gaze focused on me, but stayed longer than normal. “You look…somehow fragile.”

“I’m totally fine,” I lied quickly to cover up. “Not like you would care if I wasn’t.”

“Don’t be in a hurry to assume what I would or freely wouldn’t blink any eye to or care about,” he said quietly, suddenly moving closer to me. His cologne arrogant, dark and intoxicating to the point it wrapped around me like a death threat and like a wild temptation. “Go inside right away. Eat something to your fill.”

“I’m not hungry now,” I murmured almost a whisper.

“That obviously wasn’t a request.”

I swallowed my pride, I knew disobeying him would make him more angry.

I obeyed as he said and went to the kitchen, and instead of taking food as he instructed, I opted to water. My hands shook, but slightly as I hekd the glass cup to take a sip. Let it not be what I'm thinking about. There's no way it would be that.

Later that day, the moment I noticed Ethan was busy on a call, I sneaked inside, locked myself in the bathroom and did the first thing that came to my mind. Staring directly at me on the counter were two pretty pink lines.

I am pregnant.

My breath caught, everything at stand still, my knees wobbling weakly. This isn't good at all. It wasn’t part of the deal he had with my brother, not to be mentioned.

A knock by the door startled me, bringing me back to reality. “Demilia?” came Ethan’s deep and unreadable voice.

I quickly shoved the test hidden deep into my pocket. “I’m fine!” I called back, as if he asked.

“You’ve been in there for ages. Staying there for fifteen minutes isn't child's play.”

“I said I’m totally fine,” I snapped angrily, my voice coming out sharper than intended.

When I stepped out, his gaze landed on me, carefully studying me. Then his gaze found its way to my damp hair and flushed cheeks. “You seem to have been crying.”

“I was only bathing,” I answered flatly.

His eyes softened, but didn't last up to a second. It was shocking to see and know that such side of him existed. It was gone almost immediately before I could figure out what it was. “Next time, ensure to lock the door. Vanessa isn't playing, she's been sniffing around lately.”

Just mentioning that name alone made my skin crawl, but I refused to admit that in front of him. “She’s not one of my problem.”

“She will definitely be one if you carelessly underestimate her,” he warned.

As if summoned, Vanessa for no reason, appeared in the doorway not so long after he had left, her eyes shining brightly with fake sweetness. “Demilia, darling, news got to me that you’ve been unwell.”

“I’m fine,” I replied again for the third time, forcing my voice to remain steady.

She bent her head to one side. “Funny enough. You don’t in anyway look fine to me. And as you know very well… rumors travel even faster in this city. Friends can for no reason disappear overnight.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Should I consider that as a threat?”

She smirked, the kind that only comes from a predator. “It was just an advice.”

When she was gone, I raced to found Ethan. “You’re seriously giving her the liberty to run wild.”

“She’s a storm,” that's all he said to me. “I don’t fancy wasting time trying to control little things as storms. I adapt and survive them.”

“Even if it has gotten to the point that the storm would destroy me, will you let her?” I asked quietly.

He didn’t reply. Instead, he moved two steps closer, his voice extremely low. “If you really want to survive in my world which is different from yours, all you need to know is; learn the difference between an enemy you seriously fight and an enemy all you have to do is outplay.”

His nearness was unexpected, making me breathless. For the briefest moment, I stood helplessly as his fingers brushed mine. It didn't come in its cold nature, it was rather vulnerable; a part of him I would love to see more.

Then he quickly pulled away from me as if nothing had happened.

That same night, I stood by the window, rubbing my hands in my stomach in bewilderment. My secret was inside me, threatening to come expose me soon.

I was carrying a baby inside me, but the child wasn't Ethan Blackwell’s.

It was a product of a one night stand. The night my brother had beaten me up, and gave me to the highest bidder in a masked club a month ago.

And right now, I can't bring myself to tell Ethan.

At least not yet. Not when I'm not sure he won't resort to using it as a weakness to exploit, or an excuse to completely destroy and eliminate me from existence.

My phone vibrated for the third time now. It was still same unknown number as before, so I decided to check it out.

On looking at it closely, I noticed it came with a short message this time.

“They know everything now. And they’re definitely coming for the baby.”

My blood froze like an ice.

Who could be these people after my baby's life? Who is responsible for sending this message? At that point, I got to know, Ethan may not be the darkest being in existence. Something way darker than it is after my baby.