CHAPTER 5: STOLEN MOMENT

ETHAN

Staring at Leander, my lips pressed into a thin line, and a hint of desperation showed in my eyes.

This was a rare occurrence.

Something I'd never expected. But it could also disappear at the twinkle of an eye if I fail to hold on to this man before me.

He was my salvation. The only one who could keep me alive.

I stared into his eyes, not ready to let go. For my life and for my future child...

"Help me, please," I repeated.

"It's a transaction. I'll give you what you want."

Leander's eyes turned chilly.

He tapped my fingers that had grabbed the sleeve of his shirt at some point. "Let go." He said lowly.

Reluctance flashed across my eyes. I knew letting go now would make it even more difficult to see in the future.

However, I was even more certain of what would happen if I pushed too far. "Okay." I let go and took a step back.

"I won't trouble you, Leander. I will also give you enough time to think this through." With that, I turned around to leave.

I could feel his gaze following behind me, and my steps were a little hurried.

I was nervous, silently hoping for him to call me back.

Ridiculous. I should have known that was impossible.

Leander didn't make me stay. He didn't agree to my terms either.

I walked out of the bar with my head slightly lowered. I felt weak from within.

Entering my car, my head throbbed faintly. I glanced at the entrance of the bar again and saw Leander stepping out with another man behind him.

The man looked delicate and tall. He was the obedient type that powerful men usually love to spoil.

My mood soured.

I started the car and drove away from the bar. I didn't want to wait a moment longer. But returning to the hotel was something I obviously wouldn't do either.

I drove down to my parents' house.

The drive there was silent. I couldn't stop looking around.

The bright road light covered my car in a hazy brightness, but none of its beautiful sparkle cleared my heart.

I was back again. Yet, the timer never stopped.

From the moment I stepped out of that bar, the timer had begun again, and it was reducing really fast.

Even without checking the time, it was enough to tell me how many minutes I had spent on the way.

The headache grew worse.

I drove my car to the parking lot outside my parents' grand apartment and stepped out of the car.

Ignoring the astonished gazes of the workers and security men, I entered the house and knocked on my parents' door.

"Who's there?" My mother's muffled voice rang from within.

My throat got caught.

"Honey, it seems someone's at the door." I heard her saying to my father.

I lowered my eyes, trying to control my thoughts.

"It's me." My voice was hoarse.

The room fell silent.

Their surprise was expected.

I'd left the house this morning with the intention of getting married and never returning single again.

Their expectations would be for me to be on my husband's bed at a time like this, serving him and building our relationship.

My parents had spent a lot on the wedding and had showered me with their blessings.

It was my choice, and being as great as they were, they wouldn't go against their son's wishes and make him unhappy.

A small smile formed on my face.

How I wished I had listened to their warnings.

The door opened, and my father poked out his head. His eyes shone as if disbelieving the fact that the one standing before him was his recently married only son.

"Son?"

My lips pressed thinly. "Dad."

The word came out weaker than I would have loved. "I'm back."

My dad's eyes softened. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the room.

"Hm, welcome back, son." He calmly said.

Sitting at the edge of the bed with a bathrobe wrapped around her slim body, my mother's brows lifted slightly when she saw me.

My mother approached and gently patted my back. "Are you hungry? Mother will make you something delicious." She pointed to my stomach.

The smile on her face was genuine with no ounce of worry. My father was the same.

It was as if the two hadn't noticed my red face, nor my presence in their place so late at night when it was supposed to be my wedding night.

"Hm. I'm hungry. I want to eat mum's food." I said with a small smile.

My mother chuckled. She picked up a jacket from the stand and draped it around her shoulders. "Come with me. Let's go make your favorite food."

Father also agreed with her.

We walked into the kitchen together.

The maids who were still awake, greeted. "Madam, do you need us to make something?" One of them asked.

My mother shook her head. "No. I've got this. You can all go to bed." She waved them off.

I watched as my mother and father turned around in the kitchen, cooking and cutting.

My mother brought over a seat for me while my father helped her with the little things he could.

The two kept making small talk. None of them mentioned anything about my marriage.

The food was soon made, and the dining table was arranged.

We sat as a small family and dug into the food.

Tasting my mother's meal again, my throat felt dry, and my eyes stung. I ate hungrily, stuffing meals into my mouth with a careless attitude.

Tears welled up in my eyes. "Mum, dad..." My voice was barely a whisper. "I'm sorry."

I should have listened to your advice. I should have been filial with you. I...

My tears wouldn't stop rolling down my cheeks. "I'm truly sorry, Mum, Dad."

Even this moment seemed stolen, and with the countdown, it felt like it wouldn't last long.