Novels by Debby

Ariana’s POV The day wasn’t supposed to mean anything.That’s what I told myself when I woke up and sunlight spilled across my room like it had nowhere else to be. No threats, lawyers and no David. Just a quiet morning and the strange, fragile calm that had settled after yesterday’s confrontation.Alex texted me before I even got out of bed.Clear your day. I’m stealing you.I stared at the message longer than I should have, my lips curving despite myself.Kidnapping already? I typed back.Legally borrowed, he replied. Fake boyfriend privilege.I laughed softly, pressing a hand to my stomach without thinking. The baby, our situation had turned my body into unfamiliar territory. Everything felt heightened. Emotions came faster. Fear lingered longer. But today, for the first time in weeks, the tightness in my chest loosened just a little.When Alex picked me up, he didn’t say where we were going. Just smiled that maddening, calm smile and reached over to turn up the music.“You trust

Alex’s POV The hospital smelled like antiseptic and blood. I hated both.Ariana sat beside me, fingers twisted together in her lap, eyes fixed on the nurse behind the desk like she was waiting for a verdict. I kept my arm close to hers, not touching, just there, so she knew I wasn’t going anywhere.“We’re here to ask about paternity testing,” I said.The nurse glanced between us. “Okay? Where is the child in question?”“Hm, he or she has not been born yet.” Ariana steps in and the nurse nodded. “Okay, How far along are you?”“About three months,” Ariana answered.The nurse nodded once. “Okay. Then I’ll be honest with you upfront—there are limits at this stage.”I leaned forward. “Explain.”“There are non-invasive prenatal paternity tests,” she said. “They involve a blood draw from the mother and a cheek swab from the alleged father. But they’re usually recommended later, closer to ten weeks minimum fetal DNA presence and even then, reliability improves after that.”Ariana swallowe

Ariana’s POV The moment the car doors shut, Alex spoke.“Start talking.”I exhaled slowly. “Not here, please. … drive.”He didn’t argue. He pulled into traffic, jaw tight, hands clenched around the wheel. The silence pressed on my chest until I couldn’t take it anymore.“I didn’t plan for you to find out like that,” I said.“You planned to meet him,” Alex replied. “So yes, you planned something.”“I planned to end it,” I said quickly. “To make him stop.”Alex glanced at me. “Stop what, Ariana?”I swallowed. “The threats.”He braked sharply at a red light. “Threats about what?”I stared at my hands. “About me.”“That’s vague.” He said.“I know.”“Then don’t be vague.”We drove another block. I couldn’t breathe. My pulse hammered in my ears.“I’m pregnant.”The word sat between us like a grenade. Alex didn’t speak.“I found out weeks ago,” I added. “I didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t know how.”He finally looked at me, his face pale. “Pregnant.”“Yes.”“With… with my child?” he asked.“I d

Ariana’s POVI froze when I heard the bell above the café door jingle. My chest thudded against my ribs, but I forced myself to stay seated. David’s hand lingered a little too long near mine, and his eyes were bright, unfocused, like someone who hadn’t slept in days or hours.“You’re tense,” he said, his voice low, slow, deliberate. “Relax, Ariana. You’re gorgeous, always have been. Still… irresistible.”I pulled my hand back, tucked it under my coat. “David, stop.”He smirked, leaned back in his chair, the faint smell of something sharp on his clothes. “Come on, I’m just talking. No need to be all… uptight with me. I could make it fun again. You know, like before. Remember that night?”I clenched my jaw. “I don’t want to talk about the past or… whatever this is.”“Oh, it’s more than talking,” he said, his grin widening, “but you always did like to play hard to get. Still… you don’t know how much I’ve missed…” His words trailed off, and I could see the dangerous edge behind his dru

Alex’s POV The office was quiet in a way only money can buy—soundproof glass, thick carpets, assistants trained to breathe softly. I’m buried in piles of documents, redlines bled across the page like small wounds I kept reopening. It was easier to focus on paper than on the tight feeling that has been sitting under my ribs since morning.Ariana looked tired when I left.I replayed the moment more than I should. She said she was fine. I kissed her forehead because I didn’t know what else to do than have the urge to stay.The door opened without a knock.I didn’t look up. “Give me five.”“I don’t have five.”Her voice cuts through the room, clean and precise, like it always has. I looked up, my pen stalled mid-sentence.Victoria stood in the doorway like she owned it. She had on a tailored coat, immaculate hair, that familiar posture that suggested the world would bend if she waited long enough.“Leave,” I said, flat.She closed the door behind her anyway. “We need to talk.”“We don’

Ariana’s POV Sleep didn't come but it kept circling around me, close enough that I could feel it, but not close enough to catch it.Alex was fast asleep. He always does when he has decided to trust something.I lay awake beside him, staring at the ceiling, every muscle locked like I’m bracing for impact. His arm was heavy around my waist, protective even in his sleep, and the weight of it feels like both comfort and accusation.Forty-eight hours, now thirty-six.My phone vibrated on the nightstand.I didn’t move. It vibrated again.Alex shifted, murmured my name half-asleep, his grip tightened slightly like he was trying to hold himself to me. I waited until his breathing evened out again before I carefully slid out from under his arm.My screen lit up the dark room. It was the devil, himself. DavidTick tock, Bitch. You really think ignoring me would make this go away?My stomach dropped so hard it feels like it might tear something inside me.I turned my back to the bed, watching A