Chapter 7 THE WEIGHT OF A BROKEN NIGHT (Demilia’s POV)

“I don’t like that look on your face, Demilia. You’re scaring me. It's more dangerous than when Ethan gets to see me with you. You know he never liked me, and doesn't want anyone around you.”

Lena’s voice snapped me out of the trance I had been drowning in. I didn’t even realize she had stepped into my room until her hand waved slowly across my line of sight, bringing me back.

“I’m fine,” I lied.l smoothly.

Her eyes narrowed dramatically. “That’s the exact same thing people say right before they fall off a rooftop.”

“I wouldn’t fall, trust me,” I murmured, though my fingers trembled as I held onto the edge of the bed.

“You’re shaking.”

“I’m just cold.”

“It’s twenty-five degrees outside, babe.”

I sighed, seeing that she has a point. “Okay, then I’m… stressed.”

“Finally, you decided to admit,” she exhaled, placing her hand dramatically over her chest. “A reasonable answer, now start talking. Start from the beginning. Preferably the beginning that made you look like you saw a ghost crawl across your window ten minutes ago.”

I looked down at my palm...the same palm that still felt the outline of Adrian’s metallic key.

Lena sat beside me. “Is this about Ethan again?”

I swallowed, not knowing how to lie. “It’s always about Ethan.”

“Then spill, everything.”

I took a slow breath, one that felt heavier than my chest could handle. “He saw Adrian give me something tonight.”

“Adrian Knight. The Adrian Knight.”

“Yes.”

“Your husband saw another man slip something into your hand?”

“Yes…, but he's not my husband. I was forced to marry him.”

She winced, still dramatic. “Oof. Girl.”

I closed my eyes, remembering Ethan’s voice...cold, demanding, almost shaking with rage.

Hand it over like a good girl… or I’ll search you myself.

“He got furious,” I whispered. “Really furious, more than usual.”

“He’s always furious,” she replied. “He was born furious, so I'm not surprised. His baby pictures probably look like he was negotiating a hostile takeover.”

“This was way different.”

“How different?”

“He said something… something that didn’t feel like a threat.”

“That man does not know how to speak without threatening someone.”

I shook my head. “It felt like… pain.”

Lena blinked at me. “…Ethan had an emotion?”

“He said trust is for people who haven’t shed blood.”

Lena’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“And then he admitted… I’m the only thing beyond his control.”

She stared at me like I just told her the sun fell from the sky.

I covered my face with both hands. “I don’t know what to do, Lena.”

She placed her palm on my back. “Okay. We will figure it out. But that’s not the only thing bothering you. I’ve known you for nine years. Your silence has layers today.”

I froze, as I thought she would buy my drama. “Demilia,” she said softly, “what else happened?”

What else? Should I go ahead and tell her? My entire world happened, and I'm very sure of that. My hand subconsciously moved to my stomach. Her eyes followed it...and widened. “No.”

I didn’t answer, as I had no intention of doing that. “Oh my God… Demilia.” Her voice cracked. “Is that… is that what I think it is?”

I nodded slowly, my throat tightening. “I’m pregnant.” She covered her mouth. “Holy...are you sure? Did you do a test? Did you check twice?”

“Four times,” I whispered. “The doctor confirmed too, there's no mistake.”

Lena grabbed my hand like she needed to steady herself. “How long?”

“Six weeks gone.” She blinked in confusion. “But… you’re married to Ethan. So the baby...”

“It isn’t his.” There was a huge silence. No sound was made but that of my heart pounding painfully against my ribs.

Lena swallowed. “Then whose?” I shook my head. “I don’t know, I have no idea.”

She stared, speechless, like I had grown horns on my forehead. “You don’t...what do you mean you don’t know?”

I closed my eyes, and the memory...no, the nightmare....drifted before me again like smoke:

There were dark hallways, with s many masked men, heavy perfume mixed with the scent of expensive danger, and my wrists tied. My mask pressed too tight against my face.

A man...tall, broad, scent like cedar and sin....pressing me against silk sheets.

Then, the sound of his breath in my ear. His voice low, completely distorted.

Whispers I couldn’t decode what it was. His hands roaming everywhere, but my own remained helplessness.

And then....

I didn't know any other thing, as there was a sudden blackout, or rather a crash, with the door slamming, a cold floor, followed by pain.

I snapped back to the present with a shaking gasp.

Lena quickly grabbed my shoulders. “Hey! Hey...look at me. What happened that night?”

“I don’t remember everything.”

“Then tell me what you do remember.”

My voice breaking like a radio wave. “Drake...my brother....took me there.”

Her face turned pale. “To that club?”

I nodded, tears burning my eyes. “He sold me. I was completely drugged. I woke up hours later. And the only thing I knew was that someone… someone had been with me.”

Lena cursed under her breath, pacing the room. “That bastard, that absolute bastard. I swear... I swear to God I will personally burn his eyebrows off while he sleeps.”

I almost laughed at the image...but the pain returned quickly, like a tightening chain.

“Ethan doesn’t know,” I whispered.

“Oh, thank God. If he finds out....”

“I know.”

“He will kill Drake without blinking.”

“I know.”

“And maybe kill you too for lying to him.”

“…he won't hesitate to kill me also.”

She exhaled sharply, pushing her hair back. “So what are you going to do?”

“What can I do?” I whispered. “I can’t tell Ethan. And I can’t remove the pregnancy.”

Lena’s voice softened, making me more confused. “Because you don’t want to?”

“Because I can’t,” I said, my voice barely forming. “It’s still an innocent life. Even if its existence is…” I swallowed, “…painted in darkness.”

She sat beside me again and grabbed both of my hands. “We’re going to handle this. Together. I’m not letting you face this alone.”

I nodded slowly, grateful for her. But my heart was still beating too fast.

Lena studied me for some seconds. “You’re still scared of something else. Spill.”

I hesitated....

She leaned forward. “Demilia, start talking right now.”

“Ethan,” I whispered. “Before I left him tonight… he almost told me something.”

“What?”