Prologue

Careful where I stepped, trying not to slip on spilled drinks or vomit, I trudged up the stairs—anything to get away from the chaotic mess happening downstairs.

...I had to find Derek. Had to...

But navigating this mansion felt like walking through a maze built by a drunk architect. Every hallway looked the same, every door I opened revealed another pair of lovers tangled together, and my irritation kept climbing with every step.

So lost in thought, I didn’t notice the couple aggressively making out in front of me until I crashed into them. We all tumbled to the floor.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't see…"

I froze when I realized they didn’t give a damn that they’d toppled over. If anything, my falling on them only seemed to… increase their pleasure.

...Great. Just great....

I pushed myself up, wiped my palms on my jeans, and continued my mission, opening doors one after the other. Each room was filled with more lovers, whom I quickly backed away from. Door after door, room after room, until finally… him.

…The nerve of him. He was busy… having sex?…

Three naked girls. All over him, all enthusiastically occupied,

What's worse? None of them even paused when I walked in like some deranged tax collector. I walked in, picked up a stray high heel on the floor, and— Smack!

I slammed it right against my target. The sound was satisfying.

"Hey! What the fuck?" Derek yelled, clutching the side of his head in pain.

…Serves you right…

He stared at me like I was a window he couldn’t see through—squinting, trying to piece together who I was, like his brain was loading.

"Who are you and what was that for?" He finally asked giving up trying.

…You forgot me. Of course you did…

"We need to talk," I said flatly.

"Now? Are you insane and blind? Can’t you see I’m busy?" He snapped, practically steaming.  He gestured around like the three naked girls weren’t already explaining that. "Who the fuck are you anyway?"

One of the nudees scrambled for a sheet, trying to cover herself. Another kept moaning like she was in her own world. The one he’d been on top of just blinked at me lazily, unfazed. I stayed where I was; unmoved and arms crossed.

Realizing I wasn’t leaving, Derek rolled off the girl and marched toward me—completely naked. I squeezed my eyes shut so hard my eyelids shook.

"If you would have the decency to cover yourself, I’d really appreciate it."

"You barged in." he snapped. "Remind me again how I’m supposed to know you? Because I’m not seeing how we’re close enough to be playing attacker-and-victim."

"Cover up." I kept my eyes clamped shut.

Every second I waited, the more irritated he became. He just stood there, glaring holes through me, stubborn as hell. He was clearly not enjoying any of this.

…Fine. Since this is how you wanna play it… 

I opened my eyes, locked onto his, and dropped the bomb with no emotion, no hesitation.

"I'm Nadia. I'm pregnant and it's yours."