Chapter 1

Exposed

Alvara

“Who got you pregnant?”

My mother had asked the same question more than twenty times.

I stood by the door, unable to answer, tears streaming down my face as my chest rose and fell painfully.

“Alvara, who is responsible for this pregnancy?” she asked again, her voice breaking.

“Talk to me!” she cried. “Have you forgotten where we come from? Our struggles? Have you forgotten everything you promised me? Is this the promise you were talking about?”

She was crying now, and the sound shattered something inside me.

God, I never wanted this.

I never wanted to be the reason my mother cried.

How do I tell her that he is the one responsible?

This wasn’t how it was supposed to end. I had believed him. He said he loved me. He said he would take care of me.

Gathering the little courage I had left, I walked closer to her.

“It’s Adrian,” I said softly, my voice barely audible. “He’s responsible.”

She sprang up from the couch.

“Which Adrian?” she asked, disbelief heavy in her voice. Fear, confusion, and questions filled her eyes.

“What do you mean, Alvara?”

“He’s the only man I’ve ever slept with,” I whispered. “He’s responsible.”

“Oh God… Alvara, why?” she cried. “What do you mean by Adrian?”

“He said he loves me, Mom,” I said through sobs. “He said he would take care of me.”

She said nothing. She only cried harder.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” I whispered. “I never wanted to disappoint you.”

Still, she didn’t answer.

After a long moment, she stood up abruptly, grabbed my wrist, and dragged me out of the house toward the main building.

The moment we entered, Mr. Maxwell and Mrs. Seraphina turned toward us, shock written all over their faces.

“What is going on, Ingrid?” Mrs. Seraphina asked immediately.

“Alvara is pregnant for Master Adrian,” my mother said between sobs.

Mr. Maxwell straightened, his gaze sharp.

“What nonsense is this?” Mrs. Seraphina exclaimed. “Adrian only returned last month. My son could never do such a thing.”

“Alvara,” my mother snapped, turning to me. “Open your mouth and repeat exactly what you told me.”

“He’s responsible,” I said quietly, twisting the hem of my shirt. “He’s the one who got me pregnant.”

Mrs. Seraphina burst into mocking laughter.

“My son slept with you?” she asked incredulously.

I lowered my head, tears falling freely.

“I need you home immediately,” Mr. Maxwell thundered into his phone. “Be here in five minutes.”

Adrian arrived shortly after, deliberately late, as expected of him.

He walked straight to his mother, then glanced at me and my mother, confusion flickering across his face.

“Did you get Alvara pregnant?” Mr. Maxwell demanded.

“Pregnant?” Adrian asked. “What are you talking about?”

“Answer me,” his father barked. “Did you sleep with her?”

“Yes,” Adrian said after a pause. “But it was just once.”

His eyes shot daggers at me.

“What do you mean by once?” Mrs. Seraphina snapped. “Does the number determine pregnancy?”

“That doesn’t mean I’m responsible,” Adrian scoffed. “Who knows how many men she’s slept with?”

“Shut up!” Mrs. Seraphina yelled.

“My daughter is not a prostitute!” my mother screamed. “She was a virgin before your son took her dignity!”

“Enough,” Mr. Maxwell said firmly. “Ingrid, take Alvara back to the quarters. We’ll inform you of our decision tomorrow.”

We left in silence.

Back at the quarters, I didn’t go inside. I sat outside instead, unable to face my mother. My mind drifted back to three weeks ago.

Flashback

“I love you, Alvara,” Adrian said softly. “I’ve always loved you. I’ve watched you grow into a beautiful woman.”

I smiled shyly, sitting on his lap in his room.

“I love you too Mr Adrian.”

“We’re past ‘Mr. Adrian,’” he said with a smile. “Call me by my name.”

“But what if your parents find out?” I asked nervously. “Will they accept me?”

“That’s a lie,” he said confidently. “My parents adore you, especially my mother.”

I blushed.

“You know we’re going out tonight, right?”

“I can’t,” I said. “I still have work, and my mom……”

“They’ll handle it,” he interrupted. “Your mom won’t object.”

He pulled out a neatly wrapped box and handed it to me.

“What’s this?” I asked excitedly.

Inside was a gold necklace with the initials

A.D engraved.

“Oh my God,” I whispered. “I love it.”

He helped me put it on, his lips brushing my shoulder.

When I turned to him, his gaze had changed, heated, intense.

He kissed me softly, then pulled back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“It’s okay,” I said quietly. “I don’t mind.”

I will be twenty-five soon. Still a virgin. And I trusted him.

“I don’t want to force you,” he said.

“I’m ready,” I whispered.

He kissed my lips, neck and almost every part of my body, making me tickle.

‎

‎One part of me wanted him to stop, but the other part wanted him to proceed.

‎

‎He was acting so fast, like one who was impatient or something.

‎

‎His breath was so rough as he pulled down the hand of my dress and made it reach my waist level.

‎

‎I gasped as he took my left nipple into his mouth, tickling me.

‎

‎I shut my eyes and held his hair tight, feeling so different - an uncanny feeling I'd never experienced.

********

End Of Flashback

Tears rolled down my face.

No matter what his parents decided, I would keep my baby.

*******

The Next Morning

I stood in the bathroom, my hand resting on my stomach.

A life was growing inside me.

Was I strong enough?

Could I really do this alone?

“Alvara, come out,” my mother called.

“Let’s go.”

When we entered the main house, the family was already waiting.

Mr. Maxwell cleared his throat.

“What happened between our children is unfortunate,” he said. “But they are adults. However, my company is at a critical stage. We cannot afford media attention.”

He paused.

“We’ve decided they will get married, after a paternity test. If it’s positive, the wedding will be on Saturday. Adrian will provide for her. They’ll live elsewhere.”

My mother nodded gratefully.

“Please take care of my daughter,” she pleaded.

“She’s carrying my first grandchild,” Mrs. Seraphina said with a smile.

I looked at Adrian.

His eyes were filled with anger.

Everything was happening too fast.

I was marrying my childhood crush…

but would he ever accept me as his wife?