Pregnant for My Ex’s Ruthless Boss

The night couldn't have been better. I am getting engaged finally, I have the world's best fiancée, and on top of that, I just struck a deal with the Ashford Group, in which I will have to meet with them tomorrow. I finally have stability in my life after all that happened four years ago.

I breathe in sharply, a lot of weight relieving from my shoulders. I walked back into the mansion; I believe it will be time for the engagement announcement soon. But first, I have to adjust my makeup and then find my fiancée.

I had planned exactly how it would go in my head over and over for the last few weeks: the toast, the kisses, all of the thoughts that made me happy and giddy without even thinking of my grief.

As soon as I entered the private suite bathroom, something felt off. Like the air was thicker and an incorrigible sound echoed. I paused at the door to listen to what I had just heard. Then it came again.

Moans.

Passionate ones.

I frowned slightly, disgusted by the fact that some people had the nerve to do this at my engagement gathering.

I was about to leave when I heard a choking sound and a very familiar voice. “Do you like that, baby?” 

The voice was low, rough, almost unrecognizable, but I knew Ryan's voice even in my coma.

For a moment, I froze, frowning as I tried to make sense of what was happening. This couldn't be happening, not at my engagement happening today.

I tried to convince myself it wasn't what it sounded like, but the soft moan came again. I shook my head, my hands starting to vibrate as my heart rate spiked.

I needed to convince myself it was a misunderstanding, so I pushed open the door further, trying to trace which bathroom stall the noise was coming from.

I walked further into the bathroom when the strong scent of sex mixed with cologne; Ryan's cologne almost knocked me out cold, confirming what I was too scared to admit.

Ryan's voice came in later.

“Fuck, I might have you marry me, Nessa…. Cookie is a good-for-nothing prude,” he said in between moans.

The erotic sounds seemed to stop for a while, then the woman's voice came through.

“Then why marry her….”

Ryan almost hissed under his breath; he took in a sharp breath as the erotic sound continued. “I told you I need the Cole name to build my legacy…. If not…. Fuck, baby, just l…like that…” he grunted as his words became even more incoherent.

“You did well…” he praised.

“About Aria… she is just a grief-ridden spoiled brat who needs attention… after the engagement, I will spell it out for her that I never loved her… I have always loved you…” he said.

Still frozen in place, I wanted to move and go back as if I hadn't heard anything, but the door opened, and the woman came out. Her hair disheveled and her lipstick smudged. She paused amidst laughter just as she said, “Poor girl.”

Ryan followed behind immediately, also freezing as he saw me. I tried as much as possible to remain calm, trying desperately not to break down in front of these people, but it was hard as hell.

I stumbled backwards, turned around, and simply walked out.

Ryan rushed after me. “Cookie… please wait… it’s not what you think…” he ran after me, grabbing my hands. I stopped immediately.

Forcing a slow, tight smile, I said, “What do I think? I didn't hear anything…” I watched his expression as confusion took over.

“I'm sorry, Aria… I'm so sorry…. I love you,” he said, holding my hands even tighter.

“Arry!” Claire's voice came through before I could respond. “I have looked everywhere for you…” she said, running towards me, her heels clicking loudly in the quiet hallway.

“Is everything… okay?” she asked as she saw the position we both were in.

“Whiskey…” I whispered to her, a safe word we both agreed on. Her eyes widened briefly, then she recovered, grabbing my hands from Ryan.

“I need to talk to her… alone.” Ryan couldn't do anything; he could only helplessly watch as she dragged me out of the hallway into a room.

"Spill!" she said as soon as we entered the room.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. The tears I had been holding in came flooding out. I threw my hands around Claire, pulling her into a tight embrace.

“Ryan…” I said, my voice cracking violently, “I caught him with someone just now…”

Claire's hands stiffened around me. “What!” 

“I saw him… with her just now… in the private restroom,” I sobbed.

She guided me towards the bed and sat me down gently. “I thought he loved me, Claire…. He told me he couldn't imagine a life without me…” I said, sobbing even more into her arms.

“He called me a prude; he said I was good for nothing, that he was with me for my family name… Claire, am I good for nothing?” I said, searching her face.

“Don't do that…. Don't blame yourself for that idiot. I want you to be happy you found out earlier and not later when it will be too late; his actions and words aren't a reflection of who you are….” she said, wiping my face dry with her bare hands.

“I don't know what to think, Claire…. I can't….” 

She pulled me into a hug again. She kept patting and soothing me until I was calm.

“You've got this, Arry. You can't sit here sobbing while he derives pleasure…” she said.

I sniffled, my thoughts finally coming back into place.

“This engagement won't hold!” I said with so much conviction.

“Yes,” she nodded.

“And you will get your ass up, and we will go get a drink… we can't stay here if there's no reason to…”

I nodded gently, although I wasn't convinced about the new plan.

“You know that's not my thing.”

“That's because of what happened four years ago; it used to be your thing in high school,” she said, dragging me into another hug.

I chuckled gently.

“You have no idea how much I admire your strength every day… you inspire me, Arry,” Claire whispered into my hair.

The little confession brought tears to my eyes again. I sniffled, but this time it wasn't because I just got cheated on, but because I was proud of how I managed my emotions.

“Let's go… There's this billionaire club in town… we can go there before Ryan finds us and ruins the night.”

“And yes, you are allowed to make bad decisions.”