Chapter 5

“Girlfriend?!” Jessica let out a loud laugh, darting her eyes between them, “she looks like a beggar you picked off of the street!” She spat her voice dripping with disdain. “It’s pretty obvious, it’s her first time here.” She concluded.

Aaron’s expression darkened, his icy glare hooked on Jessica. Without thinking, he stepped forward, putting himself between her and Raina. His voice was calm, but had a dangerous edge to it.

“Watch your filthy mouth, Jessica.” He growled. “The only “street beggar” in this room right now….is you.”

Jessica’s face flushed at the weight of the insult, but before she could retort, the clicking sound of heels echoed through the hall. Aaron stiffened, annoyance boiling over as he turned to see his mother, Margaret Kingston, walking towards them from a bedroom.

Margaret Kingston was dressed in a tailored suit and pearls, her usual straight, unimpressed demeanor accentuating a presence that was both commanding and intimidating.

“Mother,” Aaron said, his tone abrupt. Turning to the butler he asked, “Is anyone else in this house that I don’t know about?”

“M-My apologies, sir.” The man stammered, “Ma’am arrived unannounced, and I thought it best not to disturb you with the news, considering the circumstances—”

“Clearly, that was a mistake,” Aaron cut him off, his eyebrows furrowing in annoyance.

Margaret raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smile. “Now, now, son, no need to bite the poor man’s head off. I thought I’d check on you, but it seems I’ve walked into... an interesting scene.” Her gaze flicked to Jessica, then to Raina.

Jessica straightened, flustered. “Mrs. Kingston, it’s so good to see you,” she said feigning a sweet smile.

Margaret’s face remained unimpressed, her lips pressed into a thin line, scanning her as she scrutinized her sharply. “Jessica. How unexpected. I assumed we wouldn’t be seeing you again after how things ended.”

Jessica chuckled awkwardly, quickly looking away.

Margaret turned her attention to Raina. “And who might this be?” she asked, her tone polite but with more subtle scrutiny.

Aaron quickly stepped in. “Mother, this is Raina Weston, my girlfriend.” His voice was ,firm, daring anyone to challenge the statement.

Margaret’s eyes widened slightly, but she quicklyhid her surprise with a practiced smile. “Girlfriend? Well, this is news,” she said smoothly, her gaze flicking between them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Weston.”

Raina managed a polite smile despite the wave of nerves fluttering in her chest. “Likewise, ma’am.”

Aaron, visibly annoyed, turned back to his mother. “What brings you here, Mother?”

Margaret waved a hand dismissively. “Oh goodness, can’t a mother check up on her son without an ulterior motive. You barely come home or answer the phone, and the family is worried.”

Aaron sighed, running a hand through his hair. “If you’re done, perhaps you can take this conversation somewhere else.” Turning to Jessica, he added, “I meant what I said—leave. Now.”

Jessica hesitated, but when Margaret tossed a long, icy glare in her direction, her defiance faltered. She quickly removed the apron and gathered her things, and stormed out.

Ignoring Raina, Margaret turned to her son. “Aaron, I’d like to speak with you in private.” she said, her voice firm and authoritative as she turned on her heels and walked away.

Raina, who had remained silent, looked at Aaron. “Girlfriend?” she asked, raising a brow. “Really.”

“We’ll discuss this later. Wait for me in the guest room.” With one glance at the butler, he knew what to do. He nodded promptly and led Raina down the hall toward the guest quarters.

Aaron’s gaze followed his mother’s retreating figure, his irritation still evident. With a final glance at Raina, he turned and followed his mother.

Once in the library, Margaret dropped her calm façade, snapping at her son. “What is wrong with you, Aaron?! Is this what you’ve been up to—bringing some girl to this house while your half-brother is busy cementing his place as heir to the Kingston Group?”

Aaron’s expression darkened as his annoyance grew. “Ah, I see. You’re here to lecture me about responsibilities again, aren’t you?” He said, his tone sharp with a hint of accusation.

Her eyes narrowed, “Don’t you dare take that tone with me, young man! Do you even understand the position you’re in?! Your grandfather is watching your every move like a hawk. While you play ex and boy friend, Lucas is literally kissing your grandfather and father’s feet!” She spat.

Aaron’s fist clenched, his jaw tightening at the remark. “You think I don’t know that?” He stepped closer, his tone firm. “But first, let me make one thing clear, that girl isn’t just any girl.”

Margaret scoffed, her eyes boring into her son’s. “Oh? Then who is she, Aaron? Some distraction you’re entertaining to spite the family?”

His gaze was firm as he delivered the bombshell. “She’s the mother of my unborn child.”

She froze, her eyes widening in surprise. “What?” she exclaimed.

“You heard me, Mother…Raina is carrying my child.” He said coolly.

Margaret’s shock quickly morphed into an “Are you out of your mind? You—” She stopped herself, pressing her hands to her temples as though to collect her thoughts. “You’re telling me you brought this girl into our home because of some... impulsive decision?”

“Impulsive?” he scoffed That’s rich, coming from someone who thinks every choice in life should be pre-approved by the Kingston family council!” He spat.

Margaret shook her head, her tone exasperated. “Aaron, this is bigger than you. Do you have any idea how this will look? How much harder this will make everything for you? You know we have standards, your grandfather will be so disappointed once he—”

“But he’s going to get over it.” He cut in as a flicker of guilt passed through his eyes. But he masked it quickly. “It would’ve been worse if you knew the truth.”

Margaret’s gaze sharpened. “What truth?”

Aaron hesitated but ended up changing the topic. “It doesn’t matter,” he quietly said. “What matters is that I’m handling this, Mother and don’t need your interference.”

Margaret studied him, suspicion growing. “You’re hiding something, Aaron. And if you think you can keep secrets in this family, you’re more naïve than I thought!” Her voice took a more lighter tone.

“Anyway, I came here to warn you. Your grandfather is growing impatient. And If you don’t show him that you’re ready to take on the responsibilities of the Kingston Group, he won’t hesitate to pass you over.”

Aaron’s gaze hardened. “Then let him. I’ll prove myself in my own way, not by playing his games.”

“So tell me son, what are you going to do?” She asked, her lips curving into a small, mocking smile.

And just like that, Aaron got a light bulb moment. “You’re a genius, Mother!” He kissed her forehead, then hurriedly ran out of the room, leaving Margaret stunned and confused.

--

Raina paced back and forth in the guest room, her mind racing. She had barely been in the house for an hour, but everything about them already felt suffocating. Margaret’s scrutiny and the tension between mother and son had left her uneasy.

Her hands fidgeted as she muttered to herself. “What am I even doing here? Why did I listen to him?”

But then the soft knock on the door startled her. Before she could answer, the door opened, and Aaron stepped inside with his expressionunreadable.

Raina stopped pacing, crossing her arms across her chest. “What now? Another family member you need me to lie to?” she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

He ignored her comment, closing the door behind him. He stood there for a moment, studying her, asif finding the right words to say. Finally, he spoke.“You’re moving in me.” he said, his tone calm but firm.

Raina blinked, confused. “Excuse me?” Her brows arched in annoyance. “Moving in with you? Are you serious?”

Aaron nodded, his gaze stuck on her. “Yes. It’s the only way to keep this situation under control.”

Raina let out a short laugh of disbelief. “Under control? You mean your family? Because they’re not my problem, Aaron.”

“They are now,” Aaron said sharply, stepping closer. “You’re carrying my child, Raina…” His voice dropped lower and husky as he took another step toward her. “That means you’re part of this—whether you like it or not.”

Raina’s breath caught as he closed the gap between them, his presence overwhelming. She opened her mouth to respond, but the intensity in his eyes made the words falter.

For a moment, neither spoke, the air between them charged with palpable tension. And then, as though a sudden realization hit him, he took a step backwards, turned and walked out, leaving the door slightly open.

Raina stared at the empty doorway, her fists clenched as her heart raced. “What the hell have I gotten myself into?”