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#Chapter 3

Daniella’s Point of View

The morning rain only dampened my spirit and made me want to stay in bed and nurse my wounds. My stomach churned, a deep, uneasy ache that hadn’t left me for days. I sat on the edge of the bed, debating whether to call in sick. I could barely stand the thought of facing Liam today—or his sister, Jessica, who always seemed to be lurking nearby.

But calling out wasn’t an option. Liam wouldn’t understand. He’d see it as a weakness, an inconvenience. The idea of his disapproval made my stomach twist even more. I couldn’t risk it. Not now. Not when I had so much to lose. It was at times like this that I yearned for a family, being an orphan and alone in this world had never been so gut-wrenching as it was lately, I feel lost, alone, and afraid.

When I arrived at the office, the air felt off, heavier than usual. Conversations stopped abruptly as I walked past, eyes darting away too quickly, as though they were caught red-handed. My instincts were alarmed, but I forced myself to brush it off.

By mid-morning, the tension had become unbearable. Whispers seemed to follow me everywhere, their undertone harsh and malicious. I could hear my name in their loud whispering, accompanied by quiet laughter or raised eyebrows. It was suffocating.

I found Anna, the intern I had trained, now elevated to an assistant and Jessica’s handpicked favorite in the break room, leaning against the counter with a smirk that made me uncomfortable. She was surrounded by a small group of colleagues, their faces alight with cruel curiosity.

“I mean, it’s no surprise, really,” Anna was saying, her voice loud enough for anyone passing by to hear. “She’s been obsessed with him since college. It’s pathetic throwing herself at him, pretending to be all professional just to get into his bed.”

The words hit me like a slap, leaving me rooted to the spot. My breath caught, and for a moment, I couldn’t move. The group noticed me then, their laughter faltering as I stepped forward.

“Anna,” I said, my voice sharper than I’d intended. “What are you talking about?”

She didn’t flinch. In fact, her smirk deepened, as though she’d been waiting for this moment. “Oh, Daniella. Didn’t think you’d overhear. But since you’re here—don’t you think it’s time to come clean? Everyone knows you only got this position because of Liam.”

The room fell silent. All eyes were on me, waiting for my response, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright glee.

“That’s a lie,” I said, my voice trembling but strong. “I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve earned. I didn’t

“Spare us the speech,” Anna interrupted, her tone dripping with venom. “You’ve been riding his coattails since college, and now you’re using him to climb higher. It’s embarrassing, really.”

I clenched my fists, willing myself not to let the tears in my eyes fall. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Anna’s laugh was sharp and cold. “Oh, but I do. Liam’s sister was kind enough to fill in the gaps. It all makes sense now—why he keeps you around despite your… obvious lack of talent.”

"That’s a lie,” I whispered, though my voice lacked conviction.

Anna raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow. “Is it? Funny how the truth can sound so much like a lie when it’s inconvenient, isn’t it?” She smirked and turned away, leaving me standing there, trembling with humiliation.

Jessica had outdone herself this time. She’d always been cold toward me, but this orchestrated attack was cruel even by her standards. She’d weaponized the office gossip mill, and it was working.

I retreated to the restroom, gripping the sink as I stared at my reflection. Each word had struck a nerve, and my mind was desperately trying to make sense of this attack on my integrity. I hadn’t approached Liam in college. I hadn’t plotted or schemed. I had been hired fairly, worked hard, and had only ever been guilty of loving a man who didn’t love me back.

My hands trembled, my chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. I had to stay strong—for myself, for the baby. But how could I fight back when the man I loved was at the center of it all?

The afternoon dragged on, and each hour that passed became more dreadful, my stomach twisted in knots, a sharp ache radiating through me. By mid-afternoon, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The pain wasn’t just emotional—it was physical, insistent, and worrying. I grabbed my bag and left for the hospital, ignoring the prying eyes of my colleagues.

**************

The doctor’s office smelled sterile, the faint tang of antiseptic stinging my nose. I sat on the examination table, clutching the fabric of my skirt as the doctor entered.

“Miss Thornhill,” he began, glancing at my chart. “You’re under a lot of stress, aren’t you?”

I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

“You need to prioritize rest and keep your emotions stable. Stress can be harmful, especially in your condition. I strongly advise against letting things escalate emotionally. Your health—and your baby’s health—depends on it, Stability is crucial right now.

Stability. The word felt like a cruel joke. How could I find stability when my entire existence revolved around a man who didn’t care about me? A man who saw me as nothing more than a convenience, a fleeting indulgence in the dead of night?

I thanked the doctor clutched the prescription papers and made my way toward the exit, as I stepped into the corridor, I froze. There, not ten feet away, was Liam. He stood tall, his broad shoulders tense as he leaned down toward Matilda. She clung to his arm, her laughter light and melodic. My breath hitched as I watched them, my heart breaking all over again.

Her hand brushed his chest, lingering longer than necessary, and he didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned closer, whispering something that made her laugh again. My legs felt like lead, but I forced myself to stay hidden, clutching the wall for support.

The pain in my stomach intensified, but I couldn’t move. All I could do was watch as the man I loved showered another woman with the tenderness he’d never given me all because of a coffee burn. That’s why they were here. A trivial injury that he treated like a matter of life and death, all while ignoring the inferno raging within me.

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. Not here. Not now. I thought of the life growing inside me, the fragile connection that had become my only life line. 

For the first time in years, I found the courage to take a step toward the truth.

 I couldn’t keep living like this—silently enduring the pain, pretending everything was fine. I had to tell him. About the baby, about everything, maybe just maybe things would become right between us.

  I pulled out my phone and typed the words with trembling fingers

Liam, I’m pregnant. We need to talk.

I stared at the screen for what felt like an eternity before pressing send. The message was delivered, but there was no reply. I quickly went to the private ward specially reserved for the Alpha and his family and waited in hope.

The minutes dragged on, and the sound of the door opening snapped me out of my thoughts. Relief surged through me, only to be replaced by a cold wave of dread as I saw who stepped inside.

 Matilda.