BURNED EMPIRE

Camilla’s POV

I had just gotten back from work with the thought of throwing my husband a surprise wedding anniversary. It was our fifth year of being together.

We had grown a little distant from ourselves but I still feel the same way about the man who made my heart flutter.

Getting down from my car, I couldn't help but feel weird. The compound was awfully quiet and the chirping sound of the crickets could be heard. I got to the door and noticed the faint voice of a woman. The aura and the cologne greeted me as I pushed the door handle and walked in.

My eyes darted to the enigmatic figure who sat across the table with Darian seated in front of her.

It was Alessia Baldore, the icy queen. She was known for her ruthlessness in the business world and many people learned to fear her. I gulped down the thick saliva at the back of my throat and wondered what she was there for.

Alessia’s icy gaze met with mine. She had never approved of Darian getting married to me anyway; I was nobody. A stain to the Baldore family name. But tonight was different. I noticed the look she had on, it was more of a request than an actual command tonight.

“ What is going on?” I stuttered gently as I walked into the living room. “ Take a seat, Camilla.” Alessia commanded. I nodded gently and wanted to sit opposite her but funnily, she patted the leather chair beside her gently. “ Move closer.” Alessia bellowed oozing an aura of command.

That was more like it, I know her to give command and not a request. Without wasting time, I walked towards her and sat down. I looked at Darian and noticed he had his eyes down.

Did he impregnate another woman?

All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind and I couldn't wrap my head around what was actually going on.

“You do love him, right?” Alessia broke the silence again looking at me. I nodded and smiled, “With all my heart.”

“Good, you do know I never accepted you right from the onset. You were never the kind of woman I wanted for my son.” Alessia crossed her legs before she continued.

“Darian here made a very grave mistake and only you can rewrite that mistake.” Alessia looked at me and paused. She slowly placed a finger on my chin and smirked. “Now that I can see you up close, you look more like a Baldore now. But that depends on what your answer is going to be.”

The air conditioning was on, blowing cold air through the mansion but why do I feel hot?

I cleaned the sweat that slowly came from the inner scalp of my head wondering what the supposed request would be. “You see, Darian here was accused of killing his Ex-girlfriend, that is an indelible stain on the company and not only the company, the entire Baldore’s name as well. But the truth was that he didn't do it but you know those journalists, always going after the rich people.” Alessia said with a frown on her face.

“We just need someone to take the blame. You will be out in no time. You will have a short sentence and Darian.” Alessia's face darted towards her son. “Will be waiting for you. You can officially have Baldore's name right behind your name. No more Gomez but Baldore.”

Panic set in.

I was home early to give Darian a surprise but here was a surprise that I couldn't even process. Before I could decide, Alessia dipped her hands into the red leather purse she was holding. “I am sure you are going to need an assurance.”

She placed a sleek paper in my hands. “C’mon, go through it.”

My hand felt slightly light like a feather shook gently. My eyes darted towards Darian and back at the paper promising me a lot of wealth and power just by taking the fall.

“He didn't do it right?” The word slowly left my mouth

“Of course darling. He didn't.”

Darian darted towards me with a bent knee. It has been a long time since I have seen him to be that sweet towards me. I could see the fear in his eyes and I was beginning to doubt if he had done it or not.

“Yes, you need to trust me and my mother. We will come get you out. It will be as easy as a piece of cake. I promise to treat you right once you are back.” Darian promised.

I looked at the paper I was holding and back at their faces. “Darian was my life, my world and not only that I had been craving to have his attention and that of his mother.

I slowly picked up the pen and signed away my life. Without knowing the damnation that awaits.

In a jiffy, the door was swung open and two hefty policemen walked in. “Mrs Camilla Gomez, you are charged with the murder of Miss Aurora Emerson. You have the right to remain silent as anything you say or do will be useful against you in the court of law.”

I looked at Alessia with the hope of our agreement intact but the look on her face said it all. No wonder she was called the icy queen. She adjusted her rumpled skirt and put on her shade.

I watched as she slowly walked out of the room leaving me to my fate with the police. “ I..Darian..do something.” I said as I stuttered, not sure of what I should have said.

But instead, he smirked, “I don't know what you want me to say or do. You just confessed to killing my girlfriend.” he said coldly.

I felt my stomach churning.

What just happened?

Have I been played?

The world tilted. My legs nearly gave way, but the officers kept me upright.

No. No, no, no. I screamed in my head. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

He was supposed to understand. He was supposed to know I had done this for him.

But Darian’s face was devoid of any emotions.

The police pushed me into the back of their truck, the sob ripped from my throat the moment the door slammed shut at my face. My bison was blurred by tears as I couldn't hold it in any longer.

Then all of a sudden, nausea hit.

A violent wave rolled through me, my stomach twisting painfully. I barely had time to turn before I threw up, my entire body shaking.

The officer in the front seat swore, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. "You okay back there?"

I wiped my mouth, a taste of bike bitter on my tongue as my hands were still trembling.

The nausea that had been a constant thing in my life for the past weeks. The morning sickness that I've been ignoring. Even the dizziness and the deep-bone exhaustion.

Realization slammed into me like a towing truck.

I wasn't sick.

I was pregnant