Chapter Sixteen

(Selena's POV)

The drive back to Damien's house was quiet, yet my heart pounded like a war drum in my chest. Damien sat beside me, focused on the road with that usual look of indifference plastered across his face.

I turned toward the window, letting my forehead rest against the cool glass as the lights of the city passed us in a blur. But my thoughts stayed rooted in that moment from earlier tonight—my mother’s eyes boring into mine at the entrance of the bathroom.

“You’re pregnant, aren't you?” she had said softly, like she was afraid she might break me.

Those words hit me harder than I expected, as if hearing them out loud confirmed everything I was still trying to deny.

I begged her not to tell anyone. She touched my cheek gently and gave me that look only mothers give when they sense their child is about to fall apart. “You’ll have to tell him eventually,” she said.

She thinks it's Damien's baby and who knows how long before she'll tell my father and then the news gets to Damien as a congratulatory message.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. My heart was racing with fear.

I reached for my phone and opened my messages. My hands trembled as I typed.

Selena: She knows.

I stared at the screen for a second, then added another message.

Selena: My mom knows I’m pregnant and she thinks it's Damien's. What if she tells him? I’m scared, Soph.

The reply came quickly.

Sophia: Oh Sel… Deep breaths, okay? She won’t say anything. And we’ll figure out what to do next. One step at a time.

A tear slipped down my cheek. Sophia has been my lifeline through all of this—the cold silence of this marriage, the days I felt like a ghost and the moment the doctor said the words that changed everything.

Selena: What if Damien finds out? I don’t know what he’ll do.

Sophia: We’ll be ready if that happens. But for now, focus on staying calm. You and the baby need that.

Baby.

It still felt surreal to call it that. This child is growing inside me, demanding to be acknowledged, protected, and loved. I already do love it. In the quiet, hidden parts of my heart, where Luca’s memory lived.

My phone buzzed again, breaking the silence.

Sophia: Don’t forget your first doctor’s appointment is in two days. I’ll come with you if you want.

I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly. That reminder made everything feel even more real.

I'm going to a doctor for prenatal care because I'm pregnant.

I looked down at my still-flat stomach. It was too early to feel anything but I swear I could already sense the gravity of what I was carrying.

The car pulled into the driveway, and Damien cut the engine.

He didn’t say a word. He just got out and started heading toward the house.

I followed a few steps behind, dragging invisible chains with each step. The walls of this mansion felt even colder now. Like they knew the secrets I was keeping and were silently judging me.

We entered through the main hall, and I muttered something about being tired. Damien barely acknowledged me as he headed toward his study. He didn't even spare me a glance or ask about how I was feeling or why I had excused myself from dinner so suddenly.

But then again, why would he care?

I went upstairs to my room and curled up on the bed, holding my phone to my chest like it was the only anchor I have. I didn’t cry, I've done enough of that. I just stared at the ceiling and imagined what life would look like in a few months when my stomach begins to swell and the truth would no longer be hidden.

Would I be gone by then?

Damien would probably kick me out or worse, hurt me.

A chill ran through me at the thought. I didn’t know Damien well enough to predict what he's capable of, but I’ve seen the ruthless glint in his eyes when he talked about business, legacy and power.

And what about Luca?

Did he even think of me? Did he ever wonder what had come out of that night?

He could be anywhere, living his life, unaware of what we created. And somehow, despite everything, I miss him.

I rubbed a hand over my abdomen.

“I’ll protect you,” I whispered. “No matter what.”

The silence of the room answered back.