0007

“Are you done?”

Only when someone cleared their throat behind her did it dawn on Noémi that she wasn’t alone.

Her hands froze. Her throat went dry. Her heartbeat pounded like a gong. He was standing right behind her, wasn’t he? Dammit, Vincent. She wasn’t ready to face him yet. Was it fun for him to make her miserable?

Swallowing down the crawling hesitation, Noémi closed her eyes and took deep, steadying breaths, hoping to soothe the tempest inside her—to organize her thoughts and act rationally. She had to remember that the man standing behind her was the reason her life was anything but normal. That he had taken advantage of her when she was at her most vulnerable. He wasn’t the same man she had once respected. He was a devil who had destroyed her. Tainted her. And now, with his baby growing inside her, he was also the one responsible for snuffing out her future.

No. She had to take a stand. She wouldn’t let anyone bully her—not even her so-called ex-boss.

With another deep exhale, Noémi turned around, bracing herself to face the man she had sworn never to see again.

“Yes,” she said, lifting her chin to meet his gaze.

Though she should have prepared herself better. Because no matter how many encouraging speeches she had whispered to herself, nothing could have prepared her for those cold, calculating eyes that now held her captive in their unrelenting cage.

How had she forgotten what kind of man he was? That he could silence an entire room filled with hundreds of people with merely a flick of his gaze? That a simple gesture from him was enough to make people shake in their boots? He was the same man—his attitude as cold as ice, his presence as imposing as ever.

A shaky breath escaped her when he lifted a hand and placed it on the door behind her, caging her in so easily, so intimately. His gaze drilled into her forehead, and she dropped her eyes to his chest, unable to withstand the force behind those dark, piercing irises.

He was still so intimidating. Couldn’t he tone it down just once?

“Good,” he said.

His deep voice touched her face, poured down her spine, and awakened goosebumps across her flesh.

Then, as if their proximity meant nothing to him, he stepped back, turned around, and walked toward the desk near the window.

Hesitantly, Noémi followed, taking a seat when he motioned for her to do so.

For the first few minutes, silence stretched between them. So much was trapped inside her, clawing to be said, yet now that he was in front of her, she couldn’t summon the courage to speak. How did he still have such an effect on her? After everything he had done…

“I don’t imagine this is easy for you,” he said.

Noémi lifted her gaze, her fingers twisting the fabric of her skirt too tightly.

“And I’m not going to pretend that it is.” He sighed. “I could give you an explanation, but I don’t think it matters anymore.” He paused.

Noémi swallowed hard.

He was right. They were long past explanations. Because no matter the reason behind that night, nothing could undo it. There was no use in wallowing in the past.

And yet… why did she feel like he wasn’t entirely right either? Why did she feel sad?

Despite the conflicting thoughts in her head, she gave him a small nod.

“That being said, I suggest we get married.” He leaned back in his chair. “Now that you’re carrying my baby, it’s only fair that I take responsibility.”

Get married?

“What are you talking about?” she asked, impatience lacing her voice. “Mr. Halest, I don’t—I’m not here to make things complicated. Don’t get me wrong. What happened between us… it should have never happened. I…” She swallowed. “The truth is, if it weren’t for the baby, I wouldn’t have come back.”

Tears burned the backs of her eyes, but she forced a deep breath and dropped her gaze to her lap.

“Well, I suggest I give birth, and we share custody. That way, neither of us has to endure a loveless marriage.”

His expression remained unreadable.

“What makes you think it would be a loveless marriage?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You think it wouldn’t be?”

“I think we should at least try and find out.”

“Marriage isn’t a gamble, Mr. Halest. Not for me.”

His gaze sharpened. “Since when did you become so pessimistic?”

“Since the day my life turned upside down when someone drugged me and took advantage of me.”

Silence. Thick and suffocating.

Then—his voice, low and controlled:

“Noémi, if you genuinely believe I drugged you, then look me in the eye and say it.”

Why did he sound so angry? Had she said something wrong?

Sighing, she pushed her chair back and stood, finally forcing herself to meet his gaze. Doing her best not to cower under the weight of those icy, dark eyes. Barely succeeding.

“I’ve said what I needed to.” Stepping out from behind the table, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I know how important this baby is to you.” She knew it was the truth. She knew. “And I won’t stand in your way. I won’t take that away from you. I’m not that cruel.”

Her voice turned quieter, but she made sure it didn’t waver.

“Once the baby is born, we’ll share custody equally. That’s all I can offer.”

She met his gaze one last time, her expression resolute.

“As for us? There is no ‘us,’ Mr. Halest.” A pause. A breath. “And there never will be.”