084. Mystery Man

Raven

The room went dead silent…just like the devil's reckoning. The air turned cold and musty. I felt like I couldn't breathe with how heavy my lungs were.

For a few seconds, nobody moved or made a sound. All eyes were on Scarlett as she crooked a brow. Everywhere was so silent that you could hear an ant walk by.

“The Father?” Killian echoed slowly, his brows knitting together as he turned to my father, then back to Scarlett, then to me. His voice held disbelief, not accusation. “What the hell are you talking about?”

My father stood abruptly, the couch moving backwards from his weight.“That’s not funny,” he snapped. “You don’t joke about things like that. Don’t speak foul about my daughter even if she didn't tell me about a pregnancy.” He stated, glancing at me briefly…his eyes spilling betrayal.

I opened my mouth but no sound came out. First, how was I supposed to tell him when he had disowned me?

Scarlett tilted her head, feigning surprise and batting her lashes like a Barbie doll. “Oh?” she said sweetly. “I assumed everyone knew.” 

Then she gasped.“ Oh crap! Don't tell me you were typing to keep it a secret,Raven.” 

“Scarltt stop this , right now!” Killian said firmly, rising to his feet now. “Aren’t you sick of always making trouble?”

My heart slammed violently against my rib ,as my gaze moved back and forth between them. 

Say something, Raven …Say something.

My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth, and my mouth was dry.

I tried to catch Killian’s eye, silently begging him to look at me, not her. To pull the conversation back and shift the attention back to the wedding. 

I have to shut Scarlett up before she destroys me.

“Scarlett,” I croaked finally, my voice barely audible. “Stop causing a scene.”

She looked at me, then laughed, clapping her hands mockingly.“Oh, Raven,” she said softly, mocking sympathy dripping from every syllable. “Why are you shaking? You look pale,dear.”

I clenched my fists. 

Killian’s head snapped in my direction. His expression shifted immediately, with concern replacing irritation as he crossed the space between us in two long strides. “Hey,” he murmured, placing his hands on my arms. “Breathe. Don't let her words get to you, okay? ”

I swallowed hard. My stomach twisted painfully. The guilt surged like acid up my throat.“I—” My voice cracked. “Tell her to leave…. please,she's lying ….” I gripped his hands strongly,trying to pass on my distress.

Scarlett laughed.“Lying?” she repeated. “About the pregnancy or about who the father is?”

The words weighed in the air as the atmosphere thickened. From my side, I sensed Killian stiffened, and for a moment, doubt flashed in his eyes. It was gone the next moment, then he turned back to her.

“That’s enough,” he said coldly. “You’re crossing a line.”

“I’m asking questions,” Scarlett replied. “Questions that deserve answers.”

My father stepped forward. “I think you should leave.” he barked. “Now…”

Scarlett didn’t move. Instead, she stood up, smoothing her dress, her movements unhurried and radiating confidence.

“Relax,” she said. “If there’s nothing to hide, then this shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Scarlett,” I whispered desperately. “Please…stop this.”

She ignored me completely and looked straight at Killian.

“So,” she said, folding her arms. “Are you the father?”

Killian’s face darkened instantly. Shock morphed into fury so fast that it was terrifying.“What the fuck did you just say?” he thundered and I flinched on my butt.

“How dare you?” he continued, his voice rising as he advanced toward her. “You come into my house, on the eve of my wedding, and accuse my fiancée of…of that?”

“That?” Scarlett echoed lightly. “You mean infidelity?”

“Shut up,” Killian snarled. “Shut your filthy mouth, Scarlett.”

My chest tightened painfully,my eyes pricking at the sides with heavy tears that threatened to fall.

He was defending me… he was defending me blindly without knowing the truth. 

He…he trusts me to that extent. 

“You don’t get to speak about her like that,” he continued, fists clenched. “Get out…Now!” He pointed towards the door,each of us expecting her to leave but I knew better. The look in her eyes showed that she was hell bent on destroying me today.

Scarlett only arched a brow. “Why are you so angry if you’re sure?”

Killian's jaw ticked and for a moment ,he faltered.“You’re sick,” he yelled. “Leave Scarlett. Leave before I throw you out myself. ”

My father stepped closer, clearly ready to intervene if things escalated further.But Scarlett didn’t leave.Instead, she reached down and picked up the envelope from the couch.

I'm trembling as she grazed her fingers on it,her eyes pinning me in place. 

She knows what she's doing. She's pricking me at the right spots just to see my reaction. If I give in and overreact then I'll give myself away so I tried with every ounce of strength in me to remain calm and collected. 

Scarlett held it up between two fingers. “If you’re so sure,” she said calmly, eyes locked on Killian. “then why did you request a DNA test,Raven?”

Silence.

Long suffocating silence.

Her gaze pierced straight through my soul.“ You're quiet now?” She crooked at me.“ Why did you ask Mary to do a DNA test with hair samples which were obviously Killan's?” 

She took a step towards me,dangling the envelope in her hand. 

Killain was rooted to the floor ,unmoving as his gaze locked on the brown envelope. He had his back to me so I couldn't see the expression on his face but judging from his tensed shoulders and clenched fists ,it wasn't good .

“ Did you fuck someone else,Raven?So raw and brazen that you forgot to use protection and now you're not so sure if Killian is the father or it's your mystery man.” She spluttered.

Each word pierced into my soul as my fingers trembled and my eyes turned red from how hard I was trying to keep a straight face. 

" Who's the mystery man ,Raven? Come one ….tell us ?" She urged ,a chortle leaving her lips. 

I couldn't utter a word,what was I even supposed to say? My main focus and fear was Killain. He still hadn't turned around but his breathing had increased from the way his muscles contracted.

Then slowly ,he turned around. A terrified and unbelieving expression on his face. “What?” he mumbled.“ You…” His eyes locked with mine and I couldn't hold it in anymore ,the first tear slid down my cheeks as I trembled.

The moment he saw the tears,something in his eyes shattered.“ A DNA test? Why?” He crooked,his eyes wavering.

Before I could react or stop him, he lunged forward and snatched the envelope from her hand.

“Give me that,” he snapped.

My vision blurred as tears spilled down my cheeks.“ Killain…” I gasped.

Killian ripped the envelope open.The room was silent except for the sound of paper rustling.

I watched as his eyes scanned the paper then his face drained of color.

His hands trembled,fingers crumpling the paper slowly. I watched his chest rise and fall heavily as he read…once …then twice. 

And then he looked at me.The pain in his eyes nearly killed me.