My Stepbrother Substitute Bride

"This must be a nightmare."

The two red lines on the fifth pregnancy test kit stared back at Ivory. Tears blurred her eyes as they made a consistent trip down her chin.

Her grip on the kit was tight. She couldn't fathom what was happening to her.

Axel only ever had sex with her on the third and fifth of every month, and he never forgot something as important as a condom.

How did this happen?

A visit to a hospital would do her good right now, but…

The sound of their room door opening dragged her out of her reverie. With a swiftness she had never had before, all five pregnancy kits were deep inside her pants pocket.

She wipes off her tears softly. There was no way she would let him find out, not with the way he had been acting recently.

Her feet carried her into their room where a tired Axel stood, maroon hair tousled. His tie was loosened, and the bridge between his brows was pressed together.

"Yo…" She cleared her throat. "You are back." Only then did he notice her. Ever the observant one, Axel raked his gaze all over her.

When his peach lips opened, she almost broke down into his arms. "Have you been crying?"

Was it her imagination, or did he sound concerned?

Her lips stretched in a tight-lipped smile. "I am fine, but you look stressed."

Axel waved his hand in dismissal. "It's just stress."

It was obvious that wasn't the case. Being his secretary meant she had to read his mood, and this mood of his was more than distressed.

"If you have any concern, you can always speak to me about it." Her feet moved before she could stop them. She stood before him, her head barely grazing his tensed chest.

Her hand softly caressed his chest, moving to his stubbled jaw, but he grabbed it right before she could cup his cheeks.

He looked disturbed, grey orbs gazing down on her with discontent. "Ivory, we had a deal, and I noticed you have been acting against our deal recently."

Her heart plummeted. "I-I—"

"Enough!" He suddenly yelled, making her flinch. "I have been keeping you around because you were exceptional in your work, but you are going out of line."

Axel moved away from her.

"A—"

"Tell me, Ivory, are you in love with me?" The question slammed into her. She stepped forward, taking in his mint scent that calmed the nausea she now had an explanation for.

"I—"

His expression fell, and he took a step back. "Is that why you drugged me?"

"I didn't." Her gaze searched his, but he was serious, too serious. Panicked, she grabbed his arm. "I swear Axel, I never drugged you, I neve—"

"Are you still denying it?" He shook his head in disappointment. "Shaw found the evidence in our room." Disappointment turned into disgust.

"I-it really wasn't me." Realization soon dawned on her. It was just two weeks ago. Axel had acted weird after they returned from an auction.

He didn't even let them arrive in the room before kissing her. She thought he had too much to drink, and she even reminded him that it wasn't the fifth or third, but he didn't seem to care.

As a wave of nausea hit her, she realized another truth. W-they didn't use a condom that night.

She was too exhausted, and he was too enthusiastic.

What would he do if he found out about the pregnancy?

Axel hated being forced into anything. That was why she had been trying hard to please him even though their marriage was just on paper.

"Ivory, I trusted you. That was why I got the contract marriage with you." His finger pinched the bridge of his brows, eyes closed and turned from her. "We are getting a divorce," he declared.

It hit her like a blow in the chest, and she staggered back. "A—"

"Don't." He raised a hand. "You have done enough. I want you gone from my life." A sharp pain jolted her senses, and a groan slipped out of her lips as a loud ringing sounded in her ears.

Was he divorcing her?

He was… he was letting her go?

What about their baby?

Could she even tell him about it?

She eyed him warily, more tears clouding her vision. "It really wasn't me. I would never have done that to you." She tried to grab his hand again, but he flung it. The impact had her tumbling to the floor.

A sharp pain jolted her stomach, and she cried out, cradling her abdomen.

Axel didn't care.

"Let me ask you one question." As if seeing a lifeline, she nodded vigorously. "Did you meet with Drake Maddox that night?"

Her eyes widened. How did he know about that?

Axel's face darkened. "What did you discuss with him?"

Sadness washed over her. She pressed her lips together, choosing to remain silent. How could she tell him that she was investigating the death of his mother?

He would hate her.

He already did, and she couldn't bear him hating her more.

A sharp laugh escaped his lips, and he staggered back. When he looked at her again, all she could see was hatred. "You knew he was involved in my mother's death, and you still went to him?"

She shook her head. "No, I went to him to—"

"I don't want to hear it." Veins bulged in his throat, his eyes were red, jaw clenched as if he was holding himself back. Then he turned to leave.

No!

She couldn't let him hate her more.

Ignoring the stinging pain, she wobbled to her feet. It seemed her sense of reasoning was gone, and she just wanted to touch him. This wasn't real. This was just a nightmare and… and if she touched him, she would wake up.

She wrapped her arms around his back. "Please don't leave me," she pleaded.

Axel tensed. For a precious second, he let her hold him. But that was it, a precious moment. The next thing she knew, he roughly grabbed her hand.

He whirled around to face her. Axel's eyes were devoid of emotion. "You, Ivory Finn, are the biggest mistake of my life," he spat.

Then he released her hand and she dropped to the floor. The intense pain in her abdomen now consumed her. Pain like she never felt before brought tears to her eyes.

Axel watched her. He watched her wither in pain.

Then she felt a warm liquid trail down her thigh, and when she looked down, there was blood.

Blood.

Her baby.

"Please, save my baby." Her gaze returned to Axel. "Save our baby," she whimpered.

Grey eyes widened, but then he sneered. "I doubt the child is mine, and even if it is…" His gaze locked with hers. "I would rather it wasn't born."

A choked gasp left her lips.

He didn't want their child.

He didn't want their baby.

Then he turned and disappeared behind the large white door. Tears blurred her vision.

He left her in a pool of her own blood.

"Axel." She desperately cried for him, but no matter how hard or loud her cries were, he never returned.

Her baby. She was going to lose her baby.