Chapter 3

Emma's POV

It was a hot Wednesday, the sun casting its golden glow over the city skyline. I had decided to stay home, doing some chores when I heard a knock at the door. I wasn't expecting anyone today.

I opened the door, and to my surprise, I found myself face to face with a strikingly handsome man. As I took in his presence, it was impossible not to be captivated by his tall and confident stature. His jet-black hair framed his face in a way that accentuated his striking hazel eyes, which held a glimmer of intrigue. A charming smile danced upon his lips, instantly causing my heart to flutter with a mix of curiosity and excitement. There was an undeniable magnetism about him, an aura that drew me in and left me eager to discover the depths hidden beneath his charismatic demeanour.

"Hi there," I greeted, a hint of uncertainty lacing my voice as I opened the door. 

"Good afternoon! I apologize for the unexpected visit," he responded, his voice carrying a touch of warmth and sincerity.

As our eyes met, time seemed to pause momentarily. Recognition flickered in his gaze, a silent acknowledgement of a connection that seemed to linger beneath the surface. But just as quickly as it appeared, his expression turned guarded, masking any vulnerability that may have been revealed.

"Can I be your guest, please?" he asked, his voice holding a gentle yet earnest tone.

"I do not know who you are," I retorted, maintaining a hint of caution in my response.

Undeterred, his smile remained, seemingly unbothered by my response. "My name is Ethan. I'm sure Maria must have told you a lot about me," he offered, his words tinged with a touch of arrogance.

I couldn't help but think that his introduction could use some work, but the way he carried himself with confidence made it difficult to completely dismiss him. There was an air of mystery surrounding Ethan, leaving me with a mixture of intrigue and wariness as I contemplated his presence.

"Why are you here?" I asked, my curiosity tinged with a hint of caution.

"Can we go in now?" he replied, his eagerness palpable.

I opened the door wide enough for him to enter, and he stepped inside, his eyes immediately scanning the surroundings. As he observed my humble abode and took in the sight of my belongings, a subtle expression of disapproval crossed his face, accompanied by an air of superiority.

"Please have a seat," I gestured, trying to maintain a sense of hospitality despite his haughty demeanour.

He obliged and took a seat, his posture exuding confidence and an unwavering sense of purpose. His words carried a hint of impatience as he leaned forward, ready to delve into the matter at hand.

"So let's get to business," he said, his tone brimming with efficiency.

I furrowed my brow, slightly taken aback by his relentless focus on the practical aspects of life. "What business are you talking about?" I asked, genuinely perplexed by his approach.

A wry smile danced upon his lips as he responded, "You know, what I spend most of my day doing is strictly business. I make my money every minute, so my time is not to be wasted on useless issues."

His words struck a chord within me, prompting a gentle rebuke. "Not everything is meant to be business. There is more to life apart from that," I replied, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning beyond the pursuit of wealth.

He chuckled softly, a patronizing glint in his eyes. "Yeah, and tell me how that is working for you. Last time I checked, you needed my money, and I slept with you for that," he said, his mocking gaze sending a surge of indignation through me.

His callous words hung in the air, stirring a mix of anger, hurt, and defiance within me. I did not attempt to hide my emotional turmoil, and it was evident that he noticed, although he chose to disregard it as he pressed on.

"Well, I've had a lot of women in my bed, and none have given me as much trouble as you have," he retorted, his voice laced with frustration. "Getting pregnant, I wasn't the first person you've had sex with, I could tell, so why is it taking you so long to abort it?"

His words hit me like a dagger to the heart, his accusation reverberating in my mind. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself amidst the storm of emotions raging within me.

"Why did you have to take advantage of an unconscious lady?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

He seemed momentarily taken aback, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "That wasn't my fault," he retorted defensively. "You got yourself drunk. I only did what I had planned to do. I also paid for services rendered. Like I said, you are not the first woman I've had."

His words only fueled the fire within me, and I felt a surge of determination to make him understand the gravity of his actions. I was about to explain how Maria had orchestrated the entire situation, manipulating me into a vulnerable state, when he abruptly stood up, his anger and frustration boiling over.

"Damn Maria, I don't care anymore," he exploded, his voice filled with exasperation. "I ask again, why is it taking you so damn long to abort it?"

His outburst caught me off guard, the intensity of his emotions reverberating through the room. I could see the desperation in his eyes. 

Ethan, this is not a decision I can make lightly," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "I understand the complexity of the situation, but I need you to comprehend that it's my body, my choice. I won't be forced into making a decision that goes against my beliefs and values."

Taken aback by Ethan's outburst, I mustered the courage to respond with the first thing that came to my mind. "Abort? I'm doing no such thing. It's not its fault it started growing in me, and I won't punish it for a crime it never committed..."

Ethan's scoffing laughter filled the room, his cynical smile widening as he spoke with a tone of disbelief. "You want to keep the pregnancy?" he sneered. "Do you think I'm that naïve? This is just another ploy, another attempt to manipulate me. You want to take advantage of my wealth."

As I looked into his eyes, I saw a mixture of anger, hatred, and suspicion. His reaction only fueled my determination to stand up for myself and the life growing within me.

"You are pregnant," he continued, his voice filled with scorn. A mocking smile played on his lips as he leaned in closer. "You know what I think, Emma? I think you're after my wealth and status. You've always been, with all your plans and chemistry. You're trying to trap me, to tie me down with a child. Well, it won't work!"

His words stung like venom, but I refused to let them break me. With a surge of anger and defiance, I rose from my seat and struck him hard across the face, tears streaming down my cheeks. My voice trembled with rage as I spoke, gathering every ounce of strength within me.

"I never wanted your wealth or status, Ethan," I declared, my voice quivering with emotion. "I never knew who you were, and I never wanted to. You think you can barge into my house, spewing false accusations and laying claim to my life. Well, let me make one thing clear, Ethan. You have no right to tell me what to do. I am not your average everyday woman. I am the one carrying this pregnancy, and I have the right to make decisions about it. Your egoistic attitude is intolerable. Do you think the world revolves around you? Well, it doesn't. I won't waste any more of my breath on you. I need you to leave my house at this very minute."

He turned his face towards me, saying, "I'm sorry," in a sudden change of tone and character that caught me off guard. He walked towards the door as I followed him from behind.

He halted his steps and turned towards me. "If you don't mind, I would like us to talk about this at my office," he said, handing me a paper containing the address.

"I don't think there is anything to discuss," I replied, refusing the paper.

"I think there is," he said with a tone of finality as he dropped it to the ground, then turned to leave.

At this point, I made a decision that I considered final. I was going to keep the child, even if it meant taking the harder path.

A few weeks later, I arrived at a sleek and modern building, an emblem of Ethan's wealth and success. As I stepped into the lavish foyer, a mix of intimidation and determination coursed through my veins. I had come to understand that Ethan's pride and ego were often put before any sense of responsibility or compassion.

A personal assistant escorted me to a luxurious office on the top floor, where I found Ethan seated behind a grand mahogany desk, his confident demeanour on full display. He looked up as I entered, a glimmer of annoyance crossing his face before he masked it with a practised smile.

"Ah, there you are," he said dismissively. "I assume you know why we're here."

I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and replied, "Yes, but before we proceed, I want you to understand that I won't be making any rash decisions."

Ethan chuckled condescendingly. "Rash decisions? My dear, there's nothing rash about this. We both know that raising a child in your circumstances would be a futile endeavour. It's best for all parties involved if you terminate the pregnancy."

His words hit me like a slap in the face, igniting a fire within me. How could he be so callous, reducing the life growing inside me to a mere inconvenience? Anger mingled with sadness as I fought to maintain my composure.

"I appreciate your concern, Ethan," I said, my voice quivering with emotion. "But this is not a decision I can make lightly. I believe in the power of life and the strength to overcome any obstacles that come our way."

His eyes narrowed, his arrogance unyielding. "You're being foolish. You don't understand the responsibilities that come with raising a child. I can't let my legacy be tarnished by your poor decisions."

I took a step closer, my voice filled with determination. "This child is not just your legacy, Ethan. It's a precious life, deserving of love, care, and a chance to thrive. I won't let you belittle its existence."

Ethan's features contorted with frustration, his grip on control slipping for a moment. He rose from his seat, towering over me, attempting to exert dominance. But I stood my ground, refusing to be intimidated.

"You're making a grave mistake," he hissed, his voice laced with venom. "You'll regret this decision."

With a strength I didn't know I possessed, I looked him in the eye and said, "I will face the challenges ahead, whatever they may be. This child… My child deserves a chance at life, and I won't let your arrogance deny my baby that. For all I care, you only donated the sperm, you don't need to be part of its existence."

I turned to leave, my heart heavy but my resolve unwavering. As I walked out of his office, I felt a mix of relief and sadness. I knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but I was determined to provide a loving and nurturing environment for my child, even if it meant doing it alone…

But this… this was only the beginning of the road.