Chapter 4: Dangerous Secrets

Chapter 4: Dangerous Secrets

Melinda quickly stepped back from the door and pretended to drink her water. Her heart was racing.

‘Why was the guard standing so close tonight? Stanley had never posted someone right outside their bedroom before.’ she thought.

She climbed back into bed and lay still, pretending to sleep. Stanley’s breathing was deep and steady beside her, but she couldn’t relax. Every small sound in the house made her nervous.

The next morning, she tried to act completely normal. She made coffee again and greeted Stanley with a small smile when he came downstairs.

“You look tired,” he said, studying her face as he took his cup. “Didn’t you sleep well?”

“I’m fine,” Melinda replied softly. “Just thinking about the baby.”

Stanley nodded. “Good. I’ve scheduled your first ultrasound for next week. My mother will come with you.”

Melinda’s stomach tightened. Victoria Stewart, the woman who had called her a breeding vessel. She didn’t want that woman anywhere near her or her baby.

“I can go alone,” she said carefully.

“No,” Stanley replied firmly. “My mother will accompany you and that’s final.”

He finished his coffee and stood up. Before leaving, he paused and looked at her again. “Melinda, is there something you’re not telling me?”

Her breath caught. “No, why do you ask?”

“You’ve been quiet lately.” He stepped closer and touched her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Remember our deal, no secrets. If you try anything stupid, you won’t like the consequences.”

Melinda forced herself to stay calm. “I understand.”

Stanley stared at her for a few more seconds before leaving for work. As soon as his car drove away, Melinda let out a shaky breath. She needed to move faster with her plan.

Later that afternoon, she met Elena at a small cafe near the hospital. They sat in a quiet corner where no one could hear them.

“I’m scared, Elena,” Melinda whispered. “There was a guard outside our room last night. I think Stanley is starting to suspect something.”

Elena leaned forward, giving her a serious face. “Then we have to be very careful. I’ve talked to a friend who can help create fake documents for you. New name, new identity, but it will take at least two more months.”

“Two months?” Melinda touched her stomach. She was only eight weeks pregnant. “I don’t know if I can wait that long.”

“You have to,” Elena said. “If you run now without proper papers, Stanley will find you easily. He has connections everywhere, be it with business, government, and… those other people he works with.”

Melinda knew what she meant. The mafia ties. She had heard enough whispers to be afraid.

“I’ll wait,” she said. “But I need a backup plan. If things get dangerous, I have to leave immediately.”

They talked for almost an hour, making small plans. Elena promised to hide some money and clothes for her at the hospital. Melinda felt a tiny bit of hope returning that she wasn’t completely alone.

When she returned to the mansion that evening, everything seemed normal at first. But as she walked upstairs, she noticed one of Stanley’s men searching through her drawers in the bedroom.

“What are you doing?” she asked sharply.

The man looked at her without shame. “Boss orders a routine check.”

Melinda’s blood ran cold. Stanley was already watching her more closely.

That night, Stanley came to the bedroom earlier than usual. He looked tense.

“Come here,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Melinda walked over slowly. He pulled her onto his lap and ran his hand over her stomach.

“My child is growing inside you,” he said quietly. “I hope you’re taking this seriously.”

“I am,” she answered.

Stanley looked into her eyes. For a second, she thought she saw something different, almost like possessiveness, but then his voice turned cold again.

“Good. Because if you ever think about leaving me, I will find you and I will take my child. You will never see him or her again. Do you understand?”

Melinda nodded, fear gripping her heart. “Yes.”

He kissed her. Even though she hated him, her body still reacted. When he took her that night, it was the same as always: no love, no warmth, just raw need.

After he fell asleep, Melinda lay awake, tears silently rolling down her cheeks.

She placed both hands on her stomach and whispered, “I’m sorry, baby but I have to get you out of here. We can’t stay with him.”

***

The following day, Melinda went to visit her mother again. While she was there, her phone rang. It was an unknown number.

She answered carefully.

“Melinda,” a deep voice said. “This is Marcus, Stanley’s right-hand man. The boss wants you home in thirty minutes. Please, don’t be late.”

Before she could reply, the line went dead.

Melinda stared at her phone, with her hands shaking.

“How did they know exactly where I was?” She asked herself quietly.

As she hurried back to the mansion, she noticed a black car following her.

When she arrived home, Stanley was waiting for her in the living room, his face dark and burning with anger.

“Where have you been?” he demanded.

“Just seeing my mother,” she said.

Stanley stood up slowly and walked toward her. “I told you no secrets, Melinda. Yet you’re meeting people behind my back.”

Her heart dropped.

“Did he know about Elena?” Her quiet mind asked her.

He stopped right in front of her, his tall frame making her feel small. “Tell me the truth, what are you planning?”

Melinda swallowed hard. She had to lie perfectly, or everything would fall apart.