Chapter 8

Aaliyah’s POV

I sank onto my couch, the dim glow of my apartment’s lamp casting shadows on the walls. My red dress was still on, the fabric clinging to me like a reminder of the night at Le Bernardin.

Orrin’s voice echoed in my head—and that grin of his, all mischief and charm, made my cheeks warm even now.

I kicked off my heels, curling my legs under me. The dinner had been… fun. Too fun.

His teasing, the way he’d leaned in, those gray eyes locking onto mine like he saw right through me—it stirred something I wasn’t ready for.

I shook my head, trying to shake off the memory. My phone buzzed on the coffee table, Lisa’s name lighting up the screen.

I answered, already bracing for her energy. “Hey, Lisa.”

“Back from Le Bernadine? How was it?”

I sighed, “ you won't believe this. Orrin tricked me into a date with him.”

“Girl, you better spill!” she practically shouted, her voice crackling with excitement.

“You were at Le Bernardin with Mr. Billionaire, looking like a goddess in that dress. What happened? Did he propose again? Did you kiss him?”

I laughed, despite the knot in my chest. “Slow down. No kissing, no proposals. Well… not exactly.”

I recounted the night—Orrin’s setup, the way he called me firecracker, his stunt with Larson. Lisa gasped at all the right moments, her enthusiasm infectious.

“Okay, hold up,” she said, her tone gleeful.

“He strong-armed Larson into signing with you? That’s hot, Aaliyah. He’s basically your knight, but with better suits and a private jet. You’re saying no to that?”

I sighed again, sinking deeper into the couch. “It’s not that simple. He’s offering to help me crush Henry and Aurora, but… I trusted Henry to build my life with me, and look how that ended. I can’t lean on someone like that again.”

Lisa groaned, dramatic as ever. “Oh, come on! Orrin’s not Henry. He’s out here moving mountains for you, and you’re acting like he’s offering you a stale donut. You said yes last night, drunk or not. That’s gotta mean something.”

“It was a mistake,” I said, but my voice wavered. Was it?

The thought of Henry and Aurora begging, their perfect world crumbling, lit a spark in me. But trusting Orrin meant risking my heart again, and I wasn’t sure I could.

Lisa’s tone softened. “Aaliyah, what’s really holding you back? You’re not telling me something.”

I hesitated, my fingers twisting the hem of my dress. The secret I’d been carrying felt heavier every day.

“Lisa… I’m pregnant.” The words slipped out, quiet but sharp. “It’s Henry’s.”

Silence. For once, Lisa was speechless.

Then, “Oh, honey. Pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t know how,” I admitted, my throat tight. “It’s been… a lot. I found out yesterday, and with Henry marrying Aurora, it’s like I’m stuck with him forever. I can’t drag Orrin into this mess.”

Lisa’s voice was gentle now, all her usual fire dialed back.

“I’m so sorry, Aaliyah. I’ve been pushing you about Orrin, and I didn’t know. God, you’re dealing with all this, and I’m over here acting like it’s a rom-com.”

“It’s okay,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.

“You’re just being you. I needed the laugh.”

“Still,” she said, “I feel like a bitch. But listen, you don’t have to decide anything tonight. Just… think about Orrin. He’s not Henry. Maybe he’s worth a shot.”

We talked a bit longer, her jokes pulling me out of my head until I hung up, exhausted.

I went to my room, meaning to change. Immediately I opened my wardrobe, a framed photo fell out, crashing to the ground and breaking to smaller pieces of glass.

I bent down to pick it up, wondering how it ended up here. It was a snapshot of me and Henry at our first anniversary, laughing at a beach bonfire.

His green eyes sparkled, his arm around me like I was his whole world. The memory hit like a punch, stealing my breath.

He’d promised forever that night, whispering it against my hair as the waves crashed. And now—he was gone—bethrod to another, my very own twin, the sister I’d left behind.

The betrayal crashed over me again, raw and sharp, like it was happening all over. Tears stung my eyes and came running down before I could even stop it.

I sank to the floor, clutching the frame. “Jerk, how could you?” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Why her?”

The tears came hard, sobs shaking me as I curled into myself. The anger I’d buried surged up, hot and fierce.

They didn’t get to win. They don't get to live the happily ever after I deserve.

No. I won't let them. Over my dead body.

I wiped my eyes, my gaze falling to my purse, where Orrin’s business card peeked out. His words at dinner echoed: I’m your match. Maybe he was.

Maybe I could use him, not for love, but for revenge. That's clearly what he wants too. The thought felt dangerous, but it steadied me.

I clutched the card, my heart racing. This might be the only chance I get to redeem myself. I shouldn’t let it slip away.

The next morning, I woke with a clearer head, the sunlight streaming through my window. The pain from last night lingered, but so did a new resolve.

I showered, pulled on a sharp blazer and office pants, and headed to my office.

I’d call Orrin after work, lay it all out—my terms, my pregnancy, everything. If he was serious, he’d have to accept me as I was and keep my child a secret too.

At the office, Tara greeted me with a grin, her usual worry replaced by excitement.

“Aaliyah, you won’t believe it. The Larson Group sent the contracts! Signed, sealed, delivered. They’re all in on your campaign.”

I blinked, a smile breaking through. “Seriously? After yesterday?”

“Yup,” she said, handing me the papers. “They called this morning, gushing about how they’re ‘thrilled’ to work with you. It’s wild how they flipped. We should celebrate!”

I laughed, the weight on my chest lifting. “Maybe drinks after work. Non-alcoholic for me,” I added, touching my stomach instinctively.

Tara raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. I settled at my desk, flipping through the contracts, my confidence creeping back. Larson was a lifeline, and since Orrin was behind it, maybe his deal wasn’t so crazy.

My phone buzzed, Lisa’s name flashing. I answered, ready to tell her I was leaning toward Orrin’s offer, pregnancy and all. “Lisa, I was just about to call you. I think I might—”

“Wait,” she interrupted, her voice urgent. “Check your texts. I’m sending you something. You need to see this.”

My stomach dropped at her tone. “What is it?”

“Just look,” she said. “I’m sorry, Aaliyah.”

I opened her text, a link to a gossip site.

The headline screamed: Billionaire Orrin Hayes Spotted with Actress Lila Voss at Le Bernardin.

My heart stopped.

I clicked, and there he was—Orrin, stepping out of the restaurant, hand in hand with a stunning ginger, her smile dazzling under the paparazzi’s flash.

He had a grin on his face too—the same one he'd always throw at me, made me feel special abit.

The timestamp was last night, hours after I’d left.

My breath caught, my mind spinning.

Did he take her there right after me? Was he playing me, just like Henry?

Was he just another rich guy collecting women, tossing out promises he’d never keep?