CEO'S UNEXPECTED BABY

ELLA 'S POVMy heart pounded like a drum as I lay on the chilly clinic bed, staring at the ceiling’s ugly white tiles.The South London Women’s Clinic smelled like antiseptic and bad decisions. Dr. Sarah Patel rushed in, her face pale as a ghost, clutching a clipboard like it was her lifeline.She looked at me, her eyes wide, and said something that flipped my world upside down. I sat up so fast my head spun, my curly auburn hair falling onto my face. I had only come for a boring check-up, not whatever madness it was.My stomach twisted, and I gripped the edge of the bed, trying not to scream. This couldn’t happen, not to me, Ella Thompson, the 25-year-old virgin who had never even been kissed properly.But it was real and worse than I could’ve imagined.The baby’s dad? Ethan Caldwell, the arrogant jerk who humiliated me in front of half of LondonMy life was officially a telenovela, and I was the star of the worst episode ever.Let me back up a bitI am Ella, a regular girl from Brixt

ELLA 'S POVThe morning unfurled like a delicate gift, the sky over London painted with soft hues of gold and pink as the sun rose, its gentle rays piercing through the thinning mist. The streets glistened with dew, each droplet catching the light like tiny jewels, and the air carried a fresh, earthy scent mixed with the faint sweetness of early blooms from a nearby garden.I sat at my favorite table in Thompson’s Brew, the worn wood warm beneath my palms, the large windows framing the world outside in a serene picture. The café was alive with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the comforting warmth of scones baking in the oven, though the smell stirred a faint nausea in me.My mind drifted as I stared at my untouched tea, the steam rising in lazy curls, lost in thoughts about the life growing inside me, a secret born from the clinic’s mistake with Ethan Caldwell.The clock ticked steadily on the wall, and Grandma Maria’s radio played a soft telenovela tune, its dramatic note

ELLA 'S POVThe silence that draped itself over Thompson’s Brew after Grandma’s sharp slap felt like a heavy, suffocating blanket. Her words, “My granddaughter isn’t for sale,” lingered in the air with a raw, bitter edge that seemed to cling to the walls.The café’s cozy warmth, infused with the deep, earthy scent of roasted coffee beans and the delicate sweetness of pastries cooling on a tray near the window, did little to soften the tension that morning. The wooden tables, their surfaces polished to a soft sheen by years of hands brushing against them, stood as silent witnesses, their dark grain catching the faint, gray light filtering through the rain-streaked windows.I remained seated, my fingers wrapped tightly around a cold ceramic cup. The chill seeped into my palms, sending a shiver up my arms, while Ethan touched his reddened cheek. His gray-blue eyes were clouded with a mix of humiliation and stubborn resolve. Without a word, he scooped up his briefcase, the leather creakin

Ethan's POVThe second I read that creepy message again, I didn't waste another breath—I speed-dialed Alex, my secretary.“Hello, sir,” he answered, ever efficient. Always sounded like a calm butler from a spy movie.“Can you contact the police to track a message?” I asked, pacing like a madman in my living room.“Is there any problem, sir?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. Actually, he already knows how my voice sounds when there is trouble.Alex wasn't just my secretary; we’d been through enough shady meetings and tough moments together that I basically considered him a friend, not just an employee of mine.He's been working for me for close to seven years now… I guess.“I just got a threat message with my picture and Ella’s,” I said, voice tight. He’s asking for 500 thousand pounds in cash. I’ll be meeting him soon, with the money. Just ask the police to trail me.”“Understood, sir. I’ll notify them right away.”I hung up and exhaled sharply. The banks were already closed, b

Ella's POV."Yes... Let's do it," I said firmly, my voice barely steady. My hands were cold, but my heart was burning with determination."Did your grandma finally agree to it?" Ethan asked, his tone calm, almost cautious.I bit my lip, feeling a lump in my throat."No. I want to do it... without her consent."He paused for a moment. "Are you sure about this?"I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah.”“Alright,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “Come to my place before I leave for work. Let’s get through with it.”I didn’t hesitate to say yes. When the sun started rising, casting a golden light through the tattered curtains of our little room, I quietly left. Grandma and Lucy were still deep asleep. I didn’t want to see their faces—not yet. Not until I had done something... something that could finally lift us out of the dirt.The address he sent led me to a neighborhood I had only seen in magazines. Expensive houses lined the street like royal guards, each one looking l