Chapter 4: The Mansion

The paternity test results arrived in a discreet white envelope delivered by courier to Sienna’s dorm the following Thursday. She stared at the sealed packet for ten full minutes before she could bring herself to open it.

DNA match: 99.999%.

Caspian was the father.

She sank onto her bed, the paper trembling in her hands. Part of her had hoped for a miracle—some mistake, some loophole that would let her raise the baby alone without dragging a billionaire into her ordinary life. But the truth stared back at her in black and white.

Her phone buzzed. Caspian.

Caspian: Results came. I’m coming to get you. We need to talk. In person.

Sienna: I’m fine. I’ll come to you.

Caspian: No. Pack a bag. You’re moving into the mansion.

Her stomach dropped.

Sienna: What? No.

Caspian: This isn’t a negotiation. You’re carrying my child. You’re not staying in a dorm with shared bathrooms and no security. I won’t allow it.

Sienna: You don’t get to decide where I live.

Caspian: I do when it’s my kid. And yours. Be ready in two hours. Car will be outside.

She stared at the screen, anger and fear twisting together. She wanted to fight, to scream that she didn’t need his money or his protection. But the nausea had been worse lately. The dorm smelled like stale ramen and old laundry. And deep down—terrifyingly deep down—she was scared. Scared of doing this alone. Scared of what would happen if word got out before she was ready.

She packed a small duffel: clothes, laptop, prenatal vitamins, the ultrasound photo she’d gotten secretly at a walk-in clinic two days earlier. A tiny black-and-white blob that already felt like the most important thing in the world.

Two hours later, a sleek black SUV idled outside her dorm. The driver opened the back door without a word.

Caspian wasn’t inside. Just a note on the leather seat:

I’ll meet you there. – C

The drive took forty minutes—out of the city, past gated communities, up a winding road lined with ancient evergreens. When the Hale mansion came into view, Sienna’s breath caught.

It wasn’t a house. It was a fortress.

Three stories of dark stone and glass, sprawling across manicured lawns that rolled down to a private lake. Floodlights illuminated marble columns, a fountain the size of a small pool, and security cameras everywhere.

The driver pulled under a covered portico. Caspian waited at the top of the steps—arms crossed, expression unreadable.

Sienna stepped out, clutching her bag like armor.

He descended two steps, eyes scanning her face. “You look pale.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.” He reached for her bag. She let him take it.

Inside, the foyer was breathtaking—double-height ceiling, crystal chandelier, black-and-white marble floor that echoed every footstep. A housekeeper in crisp uniform appeared.

“Ms. Vale’s room is prepared, sir.”

Caspian nodded. “Show her up.”

Sienna followed the woman up a sweeping staircase, down a long hallway lined with modern art. The guest suite was larger than her entire dorm: king bed with silk linens, sitting area with fireplace, bathroom bigger than her mom’s kitchen. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the lake.

The housekeeper smiled gently. “Anything you need, just press the button by the bed. Dinner is at seven in the main dining room.”

When she left, Sienna stood in the middle of the room, feeling like an intruder.

A knock.

Caspian.

He stepped inside without waiting for permission, closing the door behind him.

She crossed her arms. “This is temporary, right?”

“As long as you need.”

“I don’t need this.”

“You need safety. Privacy. Doctors on call. Prenatal care that doesn’t involve waiting rooms and bus rides.”

She hated that he was right.

He moved closer. “I’m not trying to control you, Sienna. I’m trying to protect what’s ours.”

“Ours?” Her voice cracked. “You didn’t even want attachments.”

“I didn’t know there would be a child.” He exhaled slowly. “But there is. And I’m not walking away.”

She looked away, blinking back tears. “I don’t want your money.”

“I know.” He reached out, hesitated, then gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But you’re getting it anyway. For the baby.”

Silence stretched.

Then he said, softer: “Show me the ultrasound.”

She hesitated, then pulled the small print from her bag.

He took it carefully, like it might break. His thumb brushed over the tiny shape.

“That’s… ours.”

“Yeah.”

His eyes lifted to hers—raw, unguarded for the first time. “I’m scared too.”

The admission hit her hard.

She swallowed. “What happens now?”

“We take it day by day. Doctor appointments. Rest. No stress.” He paused. “And we keep this quiet until we’re ready.”

She nodded slowly.

He stepped back. “Dinner in thirty. Wear whatever’s comfortable.”

He left her alone with the ultrasound photo and the weight of everything changing.

Dinner was in a dining room that could seat twenty. Only two places were set—at one end of the long table.

Caspian stood when she entered. She’d changed into leggings and an oversized sweater—nothing fancy.

He pulled out her chair. “Sit.”

She did.

The food arrived: grilled salmon, roasted vegetables, fresh bread. Simple, but perfect.

They ate in silence at first.

Then Caspian asked quietly: “How are you feeling?”

“Nauseous. Tired. Scared.”

He nodded. “I’ve arranged a private OB-GYN. First appointment tomorrow morning. Here, if you want. Or at her clinic.”

“Here,” she said quickly. “I’m not ready for public yet.”

“Done.”

She picked at her food. “What about your family? Your dad’s engagement?”

He tensed. “We’ll handle it when the time comes. For now, no one knows except us.”

She met his eyes. “And Julian?”

Caspian’s jaw tightened. “What about him?”

“He’s your best friend. If he sees me here—”

“He won’t. Not yet.”

She set her fork down. “I don’t want to be your dirty secret, Caspian.”

“You’re not.” His voice was fierce. “You’re the mother of my child. That means something.”

She looked away, throat tight.

After dinner, he walked her back to her room.

At the door, he stopped. “If you need anything—middle of the night, whatever—my room is at the end of the hall. Just knock.”

She nodded.

He lingered. “Get some rest.”

“Goodnight.”

She closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a shaky breath.

Inside her, the baby was already changing everything.

And tomorrow, the real test would begin.

She pressed a hand to her stomach.

“I’ve got you,” she whispered, echoing Caspian’s words from earlier. “We’ve got this.”

But as she crawled into the massive bed, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the walls of this beautiful mansion were closing in.

And the secrets she carried were only getting heavier.