Chapter 5

Ariella stayed outside the lab, grinning. Her phone rang, and she reached for it. It was a bank alert—then another call came in.

It was Cynthia.

“Hey, girl,” Ariella said in a happy tone.

“You’re late again. What’s the excuse this time?” Cynthia asked, worried but calm.

Ari sighed. “I’m sorry. I got another appointment at the hospital. I should have told you earlier.”

“What’s wrong? I hope you’re okay,” Cynthia asked, concerned.

“I’m good,” Ari replied.

“You can take today off if you want, since you’re not feeling well. I’ll manage without you,” Cynthia added.

“It’s okay, girl. I’m fine. I’m coming to work soon—I just need to wait for my medication,” Ari lied.

“Okay, dear,” Cynthia replied with a sigh of relief.

“I’ll be there in an hour or less. But I need to know—how did your dinner go?” Ari joked.

“Oh yeah, about that… well, like I told you, I got served a hot meal,” Cynthia added nastily.

“Oh, girl, I know—and you sound like it was fun,” Ari teased.

“I bet it was,” Cynthia laughed.

“I’m coming to get the full details of your cracking night, girl,” Ari joked again.

Cynthia laughed. “I’m waiting.”

The call ended.

“Naughty girl,” Ari smiled.

She looked around for Delaney and Evander but didn’t see them, so she stepped outside.

⸻

Outside the Hospital

“Delaney, wait!” Evander called as he ran after her.

She stopped and shouted, “What? What do you want?”

“I’m sorry, my love. Please—”

“You’re sorry, but you left me last night without telling me you were leaving.”

“I didn’t want to disturb you, my love. I had to leave quietly.”

“You do remember I’m carrying your child, right?” she snapped. “And I can easily get rid of it.”

“Oh, please don’t say that.” He pulled out his phone. “Let me send you the $13,000 now. Please, my love, don’t say that,” he pleaded.

Delaney smiled like someone who had just won the lottery. Holding Evander gently, she said, “It’s okay, dear. I forgive you. But please don’t do that again. The baby and I need you more.”

Evander nodded. “I know. But I spend more time with you than Ari. I left that night because I didn’t want to raise suspicions.”

Delaney smiled. “Okay, baby. Are you sending it now?” she asked, sounding like a gold digger.

“Yes,” Evander replied, tapping on his phone. “I’m adding an extra $1,000 for stressing you and my baby.”

Delaney smiled in surprise. “Thanks, baby.”

“Sent,” Evander said. He already had her details—he had sent her money several times before.

Her phone beeped inside her purse. She glanced at it briefly, then tucked it back. “Received, sir,” she said with a smile.

“Please, I don’t want you to get angry. It’s not good for the baby,” he added, glancing at her stomach.

Delaney nodded as they held hands, leaning in to kiss.

Then Ariella walked up to them.

“Evander…” she said.

He froze.

“What are you doing?” Ari asked, looking at them suspiciously.

“Nothing, my love,” Evander replied unsteadily.

Delaney rolled her eyes, mocking the name he had used.

“I was helping Delaney,” Evander lied. “She tripped.”

“Oh!” Ariella rushed forward, holding Delaney as she pretended to dust off her hands. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m good,” Delaney replied.

“You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?” Ari asked.

“No, Ari. I’m okay.”

“Please be careful next time, okay?”

Delaney nodded.

Evander spoke up. “So, how did it go?” he asked Ari.

She smiled. “It went well. He collected it already. I think he’ll be waiting for you to collect your samples.”

Evander nodded and walked back inside, leaving Ari and Delaney outside.

They watched him leave. Ari turned to Delaney, thanking her for doing this for her despite her modeling career.

Delaney smiled. “It’s okay, Ari. I’m glad to help.”

“I need to go meet Dr. Reeves so he can finish his rounds,” Delaney said.

“Okay,” Ari smiled as Delaney left.

Ari sat on a bench close to a tree. The leaves formed a cool cover above her, the air refreshing—full of hope, like a promise of a new beginning. She stood, closed her eyes, and raised her hands slightly, letting the breeze wash over her, easing the pain from Evander’s previous hurtful words.

That was when it happened.

A tall man dressed in flawless black—a perfectly tailored long-sleeved shirt, black pants, polished shoes, and dark shades—strode past with two guards behind him. His movements exuded power; no doubt, he was a billionaire. He was arguing on the phone when he collided with Ari.

She nearly fell but caught herself just in time.

The man looked at her ruthlessly, his gaze piercing through the black lenses. Their eyes locked briefly, and the air grew tense—fate set in motion.

Then he walked away without apologizing.

Whether she fell or not didn’t matter. The call was more important.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” Ari shouted.

He didn’t turn back. His guards shot her a cold stare that silenced her instantly.

“Some people are so mean,” she scoffed. “He hit me and couldn’t even say sorry,” arranging herself.

⸻

Inside the Hospital Restroom

Delaney stayed in the hospital restroom, buying time so Ari would believe Dr. Reeves was attending to her.

Evander saw her going in alone and followed her. Once inside, he shut the door and held her from behind, pressing against her. She pushed him away.

“Don’t touch me. I told you I hate it when you call her sweet names around me—and you did it again.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” Evander pulled her back and kissed her—rough and urgent—gripping her waist. Caught off guard, she steadied herself against the wall.

Her hands moved to his shirt, unbuttoning it as their lips stayed locked. She reached for his belt and unbuckled it. Evander lifted her, pinning her to the wall.

Delaney stopped him.

“Hey, hold on…”

“What?” Evander asked.

“What if someone walks in?” she whispered.

Evander smiled. “The door is locked.”

She smiled back, and they continued.

⸻

At Dr. Reeves’s Office

Dr. Reeves paced nervously while on the phone. He dropped it, his hands trembling.

“He’s here. What should I do now? What should I tell him?” he muttered.

“I have to tell him the truth—”

The door burst open before he could finish.

A cold, cruel voice filled the room.

He slammed his hands on the desk, staring down at Dr. Reeves , who shivered at the sight of the heavily built guards standing behind him.

“Who did you give my semen”?