All Chapters of Savage Love: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

The bathroom mirror reflected a woman I barely recognized.My face looked pale.My eyes were ringed with exhaustion.For days, I'd blamed the nausea on stress.The sleepless nights.Everything that had happened since I'd returned home.But when another wave of dizziness hit me that morning—so strong I had to grip the bathroom sink—I finally admitted something wasn't right.I needed a doctor.I didn't tell Zane.He had already left for the office before sunrise, leaving behind nothing more than a quiet, "Get some rest today."The words had sounded caring.Yet distant.Like everything else between us lately.I waited until the front gates closed behind his convoy before getting dressed.My hands trembled as I reached for my handbag.Maybe it was nothing.Maybe I just needed vitamins.Maybe...I wished I believed that.The waiting room smelled faintly of antiseptic and coffee.Mothers sat beside toddlers.A young couple laughed quietly over ultrasound pictures.An elderly man flipped thr

The trunk of the taxi closed with a dull thud as the driver placed my two suitcases inside. I stood on the sidewalk outside Zane's estate for one long moment, staring at the gates that had once welcomed me.Now they looked like prison bars.A guard avoided looking directly at me.Even he seemed uncomfortable."Ma'am," the driver called gently. "Where to?"My lips parted.For several seconds I couldn't answer.Because I had nowhere to go.Then only one name came to mind.Amanda.My best friend.The one person who had always been there.The one person who would never turn her back on me.Or so I desperately wanted to believe.I told him Amanda's apartment address.The driver nodded and pulled away.As the estate disappeared behind us, tears silently rolled down my cheeks.Everything was gone.My relationship.My home.My future.And now, the baby growing inside me would enter a world that suddenly felt frighteningly uncertain.I rested a trembling hand against my stomach."I'm sorry," I

I stared at Alex in complete disbelief."No..."My voice barely existed."No..."He looked healthier than the last time I'd seen him.The bruises from the night of the raid were gone.The cuts had healed.Only a faint scar near his jaw remained as evidence that anything had happened at all."You..."I took an involuntary step backward."It's you...""Surprise?""Zane..."My words got stuck in my mouth."Zane is still searchng for me"He finished for me."I know he is."He chuckled quietly."But it's quite ironic he doesn't need you anymore."A fresh wave of shame washed over me.Instinctively, I turned toward the front door.The stranger who had driven me here was already standing beside it.Not blocking my path.Simply waiting.As if he already knew I wasn't going anywhere.Alex noticed the movement."You can leave if you want."I looked back at him."...What?""The door isn't locked."I frowned."If I leave...""You'll be walking."He gestured vaguely toward the darkness outside."Y

The next morning, I was served with a nice breakfast.I stared at the tray for several seconds before sitting down.There was something almost unsettling about how normal it felt.Fresh fruit.Warm pastries.Eggs.Toast.Coffee.Even a small glass of orange juice.Everything had been arranged carefully, almost elegantly.I hadn't expected it.Not here.Not from Alex.Not after everything.I picked up the coffee and took a cautious sip.It was exactly how I liked it.That made me pause.Alex had gone out of his way to make me comfortable.He didn't even know I was pregnant.He didn't know there was a tiny life growing inside me.Yet he'd still made sure I had a proper room, clean clothes, food, privacy, and now breakfast.It said something about him.Something I hadn't expected.Maybe Alex wasn't the monster as he appeared.Maybe there were different sides to him.Just like there were different sides to Zane.Except, Alex's kindness felt different.He didn't necessarily have to do thes

The next evening, after dinner, I returned to my bedroom.I closed the door behind me.Then leaned against it.My heart was pounding.I slowly walked toward the window.Outside, the grounds were quiet.The security lights illuminated the gardens, while darkness stretched beyond the property.I wrapped my arms around myself."Tell him."I whispered the words."Just tell him."But saying it aloud didn't make it easier.I walked toward the bed.Then turned around.Then walked back toward the window.Then back again.I was pacing.Thinking.Overthinking.Imagining every possible reaction.Maybe he'd be happy.Maybe he'd be furious.Maybe he'd ask me why I waited.Maybe he'd immediately demand a paternity test.Maybe he'd walk away.Maybe he'd decide the baby wasn't his.Maybe he'd decide I wasn't worth the trouble.I stopped.My hand instinctively moved to my stomach."He's your father," I whispered.The words sounded strange.But strangely comforting too.I closed my eyes.I remembered A