005: The Positive Test

For the rest of the day, Elena couldn't stop thinking about the phone call.

The Vale family.

A part of her wanted to ignore everything and continue living as Elena Sterling.

But another part knew that life no longer existed.

Adrian had made sure of that.

She was sitting in the library when a sudden wave of dizziness hit her.

The room spun slightly.

Elena grabbed the edge of the table and closed her eyes.

This was the third time it had happened that day.

First the nausea.

Then the dizziness.

Now the headache.

Something wasn't right.

A knock sounded on the door.

Before she could answer, Damian walked in.

His eyes immediately narrowed.

"You look pale."

"I'm fine."

"You said that yesterday."

Elena tried standing, but another wave of dizziness forced her back into her seat.

Damian knew something was wrong.

Five minutes later, she found herself sitting inside a private hospital owned by Damian's company.

"I don't need a doctor," she complained.

The doctor smiled politely. "Let's make sure of that."

An hour later, Elena regretted agreeing to the visit.

The doctor entered the room carrying a file.

A strange smile appeared on her face.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Sterling."

Elena frowned.

"For what?"

"You're pregnant."

Her world stopped that very moment.

For several seconds, Elena simply stared at the doctor.

She must have heard wrong.

Pregnant?

That wasn't possible.

Or maybe it was.

Her mind immediately went back to the calendar on her phone.

Her missed period.

The constant nausea.

The exhaustion.

The signs had been there all along.

The doctor continued speaking, but Elena barely heard anything.

Only one thought filled her mind.

A baby.

She was carrying a baby.

When the doctor finally left, the room became silent.

Damian was still standing by the window.

Watching her.

Waiting.

Elena slowly looked up.

"I didn't know."

Damian nodded.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

Then the question she had been avoiding finally appeared.

Who was the father?

Adrian?

Or Damian?

The timing was too close.

Too confusing.

Too dangerous.

Elena's hands moved to her stomach instinctively.

A baby changed everything.

Her future.

Her plans.

Her revenge.

Everything.

"Do you want to keep it?"

Damian's voice was unusually gentle.

Elena looked down at her stomach again.

Despite the shock, despite the fear, her answer came immediately.

"Yes."

There was no hesitation.

No doubt.

This child was innocent.

The baby had done nothing wrong.

Damian studied her face carefully.

Then he nodded.

"Good."

Elena frowned.

"Good?"

"If anyone tries to hurt you or that child, they'll answer to me."

His tone was calm, but there was something dangerous underneath it.

For the first time since arriving at his mansion, Elena didn't know what to think of Damian Blackwood.

One moment he was cold.

The next, he was protecting her.

It didn't make sense.

Her phone suddenly rang.

The screen lit up.

Adrian Sterling.

Her heart skipped.

This was the first time he had called since she left.

Damian noticed the name immediately.

The room became quiet.

The phone continued ringing.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Finally, Elena answered.

"Hello?"

Adrian's voice came through immediately.

"Where are you?"

Elena almost laughed.

After everything that happened, that was his first question.

"I'm fine."

"That's not what I asked."

His tone was sharp.

Controlling.

Familiar.

For the first time, Elena realized how much she hated it.

"Why are you calling?"

There was a brief silence.

Then Adrian spoke.

"You left something behind."

Elena frowned.

"What?"

Another pause.

Then Adrian said the last thing she expected to hear.

"Your pregnancy test."

Elena's blood ran cold.

Because she had never taken one.

So how did Adrian know she might be pregnant and what test was he talking about?