CHAPTER 9: THE PUBLIC SCANDAL

ATHENA'S POV

My phone won’t stop buzzing, it first started with a few texts from old friends, classmates, and even distant relatives that I haven’t spoken to in years, all them saying that they just wanted to check on me.

Of course it was suspicious but with all that has been going on lately, it didn't exactly bother me.

... That is until I opened the news app on my phone and saw the headlines.

“Billionaire’s Secret Mistress Pregnant with Illegitimate Heir.”

“Scandal Rocks the Knight Empire: Who Is Athena Foster?”

“Veronica Sterling Betrayed by Fiancé and Lab Technician?”

My heart sinks and I sit up, moving over to the edge of the massive bed while my hands tremble as I scroll through the news.

There are pictures of me— old ones from my LinkedIn profile, my university graduation, and even a blurry photo someone took of me entering the clinic last month---- that have now been uploaded online and everyone is commenting on them.

I don't bother myself with going through the comments that's unnecessary, but I'm definitely worried about the blurry photo of me.

... Because it means that someone spread the news and uploaded the photos online for the media to eat up.

And I don't need to be a super genius to know who did that.

Quickly, I storm out of the bedroom barefoot, with adrenaline driving my feet across the cold marble floor and through that penthouse which is silent, save for the very faint hum of a news channel.

I can hear Xander’s voice is coming out from his home office before I even reach there half way.

“Yes. Let the PR team handle the rest. No, don’t deny the pregnancy— we can’t backtrack now. Keep the message clean: I'll take responsibility for the child; but stay silent on the rest.”

When I reach his office, I push the door open without knocking and he looks up, surprised.

“Athena—”

“What the hell did you do?” I snap, holding up my phone.

“You told the press?”

His brows draw together at my accusation. “No. Veronica did.”

“I know she did, but instead of shutting it down, you’re— what? Spinning it? Claiming ownership?”

He rises slowly from his chair, looking very calm while I'm on the verge of exploding.

“It's damage control. The story’s out already, denying it would only make us look worse.”

“We?” I scoff. “There is no we, Xander. I’m not your PR strategy!”

“You’re carrying my child, that makes you mine— whether you like it or not.”

Again that phrase; he has no idea just how much I'm starting to hate it and the fact that he's made it his mantra only makes it worse.

My chest heaves and I shake my head at him.

“Do you even hear yourself? Do you know what they’re saying about me? Gold- digger, homewrecker, side chick---- mind you I didn't enter the comments to read this; they were right there on the bold headlines."

I sigh, rasp and then continue, palming my forehead in the process.

"This morning I was a respected embryologist, and now I’m being painted like some desperate woman who seduced a billionaire for his money.”

Xander walks toward me, looking very unbothered. “Let them talk, they’ll forget everything by next week.”

I laugh bitterly, throwing my head back. “No, Xander, they won’t. This kind of scandal sticks, they'll dissect my life, my family and my integrity.”

He doesn’t blink. “Do you want them to stop?”

“Yes!!”

“Then stay close to me,” he says.

“Let me control the story. Let them see you with me publicly then they’ll stop seeing you as a mistake and start seeing you as inevitable choice.”

“I’m not some pawn in your empire- building,” I snap at him, feeling angry that he hasn't even been actually listening the entire time I've been talking.

“This wasn’t even supposed to happen. Do you think I wanted this baby? Do you think I planned all these problems?”

My words shock him and he tilts his head at me, “Do you not want the baby?”

The question takes me by surprise, knocking the breath out of me and so I look away from him.

"That’s not what I meant.”

He steps closer to me now, lowering his voice. “Then understand this: As long as that child grows inside you, I will protect it, and that means protecting you. Even if I have to control everything around you to do it.”

My skin prickles at his words.

“That’s not love, Xander, that’s a cage.”

I'm not even sure why I said the word 'love'.

“It’s survival," he clarifies and I shake my head, backing away from him.

“I’m going back to the guest room.”

“I had it cleared,” he says coolly and I'm shocked.

How many minutes have I spent here in his office for that to happen?

When did he even give the order?

“Your new suite is two doors down from mine with full security. No more slipping out in the night for you.”

I stop in my tracks, feeling angry again. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re stubborn,” He retorts and walks back to his desk like the conversation is actually over.

“We’ll be seen together tomorrow at the LexTech gala. Wear something blue.”

---

By afternoon, my face is everywhere.

There are reporters standing outside the building and flashing dozens of cameras from across the street.

One of them even tries to sneak inside the penthouse and Xander’s guards drag him out by the collar.

It should scare me, but I’m mostly furious.

Reed knocks on my new door just before it's time for dinner.

“Miss Foster?”

I open it. “Hi.”

He holds out a small paper bag to me,“Mr. Knight had your favourite sent in from Valenti’s.”

Looking at the paper bag, my stomach growls; pregnancy hormones------- bless them------- still don’t care about the apocalypse happening outside.

I smile take the bag from him. “Thanks."

Then I pause, "Wait------- how did he know this was my favorite?”

Reed glances away. “He’s… observant.”

Numbly, I nod my head and shut the door, going over to sink into my bed and unwrapping the truffle pasta.

For a while, it’s just me, the scent of garlic and mushrooms, and silence.

Until I scroll through the latest headline which says:

“From Petri Dish Lab to Penthouse: Inside Athena Foster’s Sudden Rise.”

Scoffing I toss my phone aside and continue my meal.

It sad; they’re mocking me and turning my life into a joke, and the man who created it is just upstairs sipping scotch and bribing me with food.

I pause in my eating again and rest my hand on my belly, where the tiniest flutter tickles me from the inside.

It’s faint yes, but it's real and then I feel a kick.

I'm shocked, and my eyes sting with happiness as I raise my blouse up to take a good look at my bare slightly swollen belly.

This child didn’t ask for this madness and neither did I.

... And if I stay here, under Xander’s thumb, it’ll only get worse.

But if I leave… I’ll never be able to escape the headlines and the pressure from the press, not to talk of Xander.

... He’ll hunt me down just to get his heir back.