Chapter 4

*Elena's POV*

“So what are you trying to say, Drake?” I asked my lawyer, my voice cracking as I clutched the coffee mug tighter. My eyes burned from days without sleep. “Tell me straight. I can handle it.”

Drake leaned forward across the table, his face tight with sympathy he couldn’t hide. “Elena, I’m so sorry. Legally, you have no claim to any property split. You and Alexander were never married. The wedding never happened. No certificate, no joint assets recognized in court.”

“But the baby...” My words choked out. “This baby is his. He got me pregnant before everything exploded. Doesn’t that count for something? I have the hospital papers. I can prove it!”

Drake shook his head slowly, his eyes full of pity. “The scandal changed everything. Those pictures you sent him, the video of you and that bartender—went viral. Ten million views and counting. Right now, the public sees you as the cheater who humiliated a billionaire on the eve of his wedding. Any judge will demand a DNA test after the baby is born. Until then, you can’t legally claim Alexander as the father. He’s already denied it through his team. His lawyers are painting you as unstable and vengeful. They’ll fight every step.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks, hot and fast. “Unstable? I caught him in bed with my own twin sister! She pretended to be me! He slept with her the night before our wedding, Drake. I was going to tell him about the baby that same night. How is this fair? How am I the villain here?”

“I know, Elena. I believe you. But the law doesn’t care about the twin switch or the heartbreak. It cares about proof. And right now, the only proof they’ll accept is a paternity test post-birth. You can’t force a property split or demand support until that happens. I’m sorry. I wish I had better news.”

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, my breath shaking. “So what do I do? Just sit here broke, pregnant, and hated by the whole world? My parents won’t even speak to me. The media calls me a gold-digging whore. Alexander married my sister like I never existed. What am I supposed to tell this child when it asks why Daddy chose Aunt Eliza?”

Drake reached across and squeezed my hand gently. “You fight smart, not fast. We wait for the birth. We get the DNA. Then we go after child support, custody if you want it. But pushing now will only make you look worse. The press is eating this up. Eliza’s already giving interviews about how she ‘saved’ Alexander from your betrayal.”

“Saved him?” I laughed bitterly, my voice rising. “She ruined me! She took my life, my man, my future. And now I’m the one paying? Drake, please. There has to be something. Anything. I’m carrying his baby. Doesn’t that mean I get to keep at least a little piece of what should have been mine?”

He sighed, eyes sad. “I wish it did. But you never signed a prenup, the non-marriage, the cheating scandal...they’re weapons against you. Focus on your health right now. The baby needs you stable. I’ll keep digging, file whatever motions I can. But for today… this is the reality.”

I nodded, swallowing the sob that wanted to rip out of me. “Thank you, Drake. Really. You’ve been the only one who hasn’t turned on me. You can leave now. I need… I need to be alone.”

He stood, gathering his papers. “Call me anytime. Day or night. You’re not as alone as it feels, Elena. We’ll get through this.”

The door clicked shut behind him.

I grabbed my phone with trembling fingers and dialed my parents’ number again. It rang once. Twice. Straight to voicemail. Again.

“Mom? Dad? It’s me. Elena. Please pick up. I know what you said last time, but it was all a lie. They tricked me. Alexander and Eliza—they played me like a fool. I caught them together. I was pregnant and excited and I walked in on them. I didn’t cheat first. I swear on my life. Please… I’m scared. I’m alone. This baby is coming and I have nothing. No money, no family, no one. Just talk to me. Tell me it was a mistake. Tell me you believe me. I need you. Please don’t block me forever. I’m still your daughter. I’m still...”

The Call ended. They’d blocked me. I knew it.

I stared at the screen, my chest heaving with silent sobs. Then I looked down at my tummy, my hand resting gently over the small bump that was just starting to show. My voice came out soft, broken, full of every pain I couldn’t scream anymore.

“Little one, you don't deserve this. You don't deserve to be in a world where your mother is the victim but yet treated as the Offender. I think it's best you stop your journey here. It will be beneficial for both of us.”