Rosa blinked, the words not quite registering.
"Pregnant?" she repeated Dr. Mira gave a short nod "Yes, You're pregnant" Rosa felt a rush of panic flood her chest, the world tilting beneath her feet "No... that can't be" she whispered, her voice trembling. She stood up quickly, as if moving would make the reality of it all less real "You need to run the test again." Dr. Mira rolled her eyes with exaggerated patience, then pulled a small paper test from her bag and tossed it onto the bed beside Rosa. Rosa grabbed it, hands shaking. She read the words on the test, but they blurred before her eyes. It was positive. Positive. Her breath caught in her throat. No..This couldn't be happening. The papers slipped from her hand as she stumbled backward and fell to the floor, her chest heaving with silent sobs. Hot tears rushed down her face Dr. Mira stood by the door, her fingers curling around the handle. For a moment, she simply watched Rosa, who was now wracked with uncontrollable sobs. A flicker of something-irritation, crossed her face. She glanced down at Rosa as if the sight of her was an inconvenience, her jaw tightening. Her eyes flicked to the test on the floor and for a heartbeat, she seemed to freeze, her expression cold but unreadable. A deep, almost imperceptible sigh escaped her lips. She hated this. Hated that Silvio had asked her to watch over Rosa. Hated the way this woman seemed to stir something in him. Dr. Mira's grip on the door handle tightened, but she didn't look back. Instead, she stepped out and the maid trailing behind her. ****** It’s been eight months since Rosa had found out she was pregnant and it felt like her world had stopped turning. She barely ate anymore, her body growing thinner with each passing day, the pressure of her future weighing her. She despised what was happening to her. A child and with the man she hated most. The moonlight poured through the open window, casting pale light on her swollen belly. It seemed absurd that she was this far along already; it felt like just yesterday she had learned she was pregnant. Her thin body barely showed signs of life-always sick, always weak-like she was fading from the inside out. Her long hair fell in soft waves down her back, but even that seemed to sag in exhaustion. A loud crash shattered the silence as the door flew open. Rosa flinched, her heart leaping in her chest. when she saw him..Silvio, She hadn't seen him in months He stood in the doorway, his disheveled appearance a striking difference to his usual composure. And he was holding a tray of food. Instantly, he kicked the door shut behind him and strode forward, placing the tray on a small table "Why have you refused to eat?" His voice was low, but there was a force to it. Rosa glared at the food, her mouth dry with frustration. "Why do you care?" He raised an eyebrow, stepping closer with slow, and deliberate steps "You're carrying my child, little girl. Now go sit down and eat" Rosa's chest tightened, a familiar rage burning in her veins. She could feel the weight of the words press against her..my child. She wanted to scream, to lash out, but instead..she just shook her head. "I'm not eating. Take it away and leave." Silvio’s eyes narrowed slightly but his voice remained calm, almost too calm "I don't want to get angry at you. So do as I say” Rosa's hands trembled at her sides.She could feel the heat rising in her chest, the desire to fight bubbling over. In a second, she stormed toward the table..grabbed the tray and threw it to the floor with a sharp crack. Food splattered everywhere, staining the floor with chaos. " I don't want to eat!" she shouted "I just want to die!" The words tore out of her throat, A cruel smirk twisted Silvio's lips as he took a slow step forward, his eyes never leaving hers "Do you want to die?" Rosa stood her ground, tears streaming down her face, her chest heaving as she stared him down. "Yes” she hissed. "Just kill me” He moved in close, invading her space, his presence overwhelming. He leaned into her ear, his breath warm and taunting "Never” he whispered. "You aren't allowed to die” Rosa’s hand shot up, grabbing his shirt.. her fingers digging into his chest as she pulled him closer, her body trembling with emotion "Why?" she screamed. "Why won't you let me go?" With a trembling palm, she hit his chest, the slap ringing in the silence “who are you to control my life” she spat, her eyes burning with hatred “you wouldn’t let me die, huh?” Her voice cracked as she continued, the words almost too heavy to speak "I don't want this... I don't want this child... I don't want to belong to you” The final words echoed painfully around the room. Silvio stood unmoved, the flicker of amusement in his eyes a cruel contrast to her emotional wreckage. He grabbed her shoulder roughly "I don't care" he said, his voice cold "You will have to give birth to my child” A sinister smile curled at his lips as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, threatening murmur. "And if anything happens to my child..." He paused, letting the tension build, before finishing "You wouldn't want to know what I would do" He released her with a shove and his finger pointed toward the food scattered on the floor "Eat it" he ordered Rosa's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the food on the floor. "I won't” she muttered under her breath "I said, eat it" Silvio's voice crackled through the air like thunder, and Rosa flinched as if struck. Her hands trembled as she dropped to her knees and picked the food from the floor. Tears welled up as she forced herself to eat. Silvio walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. The nurse, standing in the doorway.. bowed as he passed. "Follow me" Silvio ordered, his tone flat and unwavering. The nurse nodded quickly, trailing behind him. The cool midnight air brushed against their skin as they stepped outside, the sound of the sea crashing faintly in the distance. Silvio slid his hand into his pocket.. bringing out a cigarette and lighting it up "Tell me more about her condition." "She's.. depressed, sir. Barely eat and It's affecting her health. It's best if she's... happy in this state” Her voice wavered with uncertainty, but she kept her head lowered, afraid to meet his gaze. Silvio took a slow drag from his cigarette, watching the smoke curl into the air, his expression unreadable "What do you think could make her happy?" The nurse's eyes flickered up, but she quickly dropped them again. " ... I don't know, Sir." Silvio exhaled a plume of smoke, his gaze distant as he thought. A flicker of something passed through him, something faint. He crushed the cigarette underfoot "Make sure she's ready by 7 AM. She’s leaving the island”The sun is setting, casting a warm golden light over the road. A silver sports car and a black cafe racer motorcycle are parked side by side, their surfaces shining in the soft evening glow.Jia and Tiziano stand between the car and the bike, the breeze gently tousling their hair. In the background, the camera crew gets ready in quiet focus.Jia runs her hand over the car's hood, taking a moment to admire its design. Before she spoke “This machine doesn't just drive, it speaks. Every curve, every line... it's built to move hearts."And that sound? Like thunder trapped inside shiny metal. It's not just about going fast. It's about feeling alive." Tiziano said as both him and Jia exchange a understanding look They both stretch out their hands for a firm handshake, followed by a matching smiles Jia pulled her hand away “See you on the other side” “If you can catch me” Tiziano said and they both path ways Jia slides into the car, the door clicking shut with a satisfying sound. She sta
When Elena stepped into her apartment, she paused just past the threshold, her eyes scanning the spacious sitting room. The air felt still, she never thought she would set foot in this place again. Yet here she was. Life had a strange way of turning in on itself.She exhaled slowly, the breath leaving her like a weight.Shrugging off her coat, she draped it over the back of the sofa, then wandered into the kitchen. The fridge light blinked on as she opened it, the cool air brushing her face. She grabbed a bottle of water, leaned her back against the fridge door, and stood there for a moment, letting the silence settle. Then she unscrewed the cap and took a long, thirsty gulp.A sudden knock at the door made her jump.Her eyes darted toward the entrance. She placed the bottle on the small dining table and crossed the room. When she opened the door, her breath hitched.There stood Jia—wearing baggy jeans and a fitted bodysuit, a scarf wrapped tightly around her head and oversized glass
The next day, Elena stood just outside the airport, her suitcase by her side. She paused, eyes darting across the busy drop-off lane, then tightened her grip on the handle and rolled it inside.In the waiting area, she sank into a chair, still with time before her flight. She drew a slow, shaky breath. Her fingers trembled as she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out her phone.For a long moment, she stared at the screen. Her thumb hovered above Jia's contact. Her lips parted, just barely as though preparing to speak even before the call connected. But then she stopped. A quiet sigh escaped her. She pressed the power button and slid the phone back into her pocket.Overhead, the intercom crackled "Flight SQ123 to Singapore now boarding"Elena's eyes flicked up. A glint of resolve passed over her face. She stood, grabbed her suitcase and headed to the gate.At the check-in counter, she handed over her boarding pass, barely meeting the attendant's gaze. Then she was walking again,
After snapping a few photos—carefully angled and discreet—Jia curled her lips into a satisfied smile."I never thought l would stumble on such a sweet moment" she murmured to herself.She didn't drive off right away. Instead, she lingered, eyes trained on the scene unfolding before her—Damian slowly pulled away from Mira, only for Mira to hand him a large envelope. He opened it with care and Jia's breath caught as she recognized the familiar shape and grainy black and white image. A pregnancy scan.She knew it the instant she saw it—how could she not? She had once held similar images of her own children.A soft smile crept onto Damian's face. Then his eyes dropped to Mira's rounded belly. Gently, he placed a hand on it, rubbing in slow, reverent circles.Mira smiled too.Jia's breath hitched. Could it be...? No.She shook the thought from her mind. She wasn't going to assume anything. Not yet.Moments later, the both climbed into their car and drove off. Jia let out a breath she hadn
Tiziano didn't miss a beat. He gave the men a curt nod. "Leave” They rose without a word, offered brief bows and exited, the door clicking shut behind them.Tiziano reached for a glass already filled with whiskey, swirling it leisurely as he regarded her "What is it you want?""Why did you fire Brandon?" Elena snapped.A smirk tugged at the corner of Tiziano's mouth. So, that's what this was about. He brought the glass to his lips, taking a slow sip without answering."You still haven't answered me" Elena said sharply.He downed the rest of the whiskey in one gulp, set the glass down and looked at her, eyes narrowing."You already know the answer" he said. "Maybe you should ask yourself.""You are being childish."Tiziano scoffed "Am I?""You are so unprofessional it's pathetic. You let your personal issues cloud your judgment. Brandon didn't do anything to deserve being fired."Tiziano stood and walked around the desk, sitting casually on its edge. "He did one thing,” he said co
"Why are you back so late?" he asked, voice low andsharp.Elena coughed, waving the smoke away "What are you doing here? And how did you get in?"Tiziano didn't answer. His eyes followed her every move as she stepped toward the window. Just as her fingers grazed the curtain, he shot up, grabbing her arm and spinning her around."You don't walk away when I'm talking to you" he snapped.She flinched but refused to meet his gaze. Her eyes flicked back toward the window. She tried to pullfree but his grip only tightened."Let go" she said quietly.Tiziano ignored her, his voice dropped to an icy whisper. "Was I not clear when I said you are mine?That no man is allowed to touch you—let alone take you out? But you—" He yanked her closer "you went against my words and let Brandon touch you"Elena's hands balled into fists at her sides, she stayed silent but when Tiziano gripped her chin, forcing her to face him, she felt the tremor of her breath. His eyes bored into hers."You are real