fight back

Bailey POVJasper's face goes white after hearing my demands.He looks away, unable to meet my gaze."I don't know what you're…” he starts but I don't let him finish whatever bullshit he wants to spill."Don't try to lie to me.” I cut him off.“I know you were involved. I know you and Nolan planned this together. I know you bribed Luca to fake the injury and claim Orion attacked him deliberately." I point out.Of course, it's just my speculation, nothing is confirmed.Knowing Nolan, he won't handle such matters personally to avoid it being traced back to him.He is not only ruthless but calculating too."You can't prove any of that," Jasper says, but his voice wavers.“ You are right, I can't prove any of that." I admit. "But I can prove that your brother is a thief and a gambler with massive debts. I can make sure this story is all over the news by tomorrow morning.With your brother's scandal and gambling habits, I simply need to voice out that your statement could be compromised.

flashback

Bailey POVThe courtroom is packed with the media, spectators, Orion's family and some of his teammates.It seems like everyone is here to witness what they think will be Orion Hayes' downfall.I sit in the back row far from the front with Nolan beside me.His hand rests possessively on my thigh, his thumb drawing those familiar circles that used to comfort me but now make my skin crawl."This will all be over soon," Nolan murmurs in my ear, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "Once Hayes is sentenced, I'll start working on his release. I will do it quietly, of course. I can't have people knowing I had anything to do with dropping the charges. But I'll handle it, just like I promised." He explains.I nod, keeping my expression neutral even though I want to scream.He's still lying.He is sitting here watching Orion's life hang in the balance and still lying about his intentions.He never planned to drop the charges. He never planned to let Orion go either.This was always about

Expecting a baby

Bailey POV"Order!" the judge shouts again, finally getting the room under control.The prosecutor looks like he's been slapped. "Your Honor, I'd like to request a recess to…""Request denied," the judge says sharply. He looks annoyed, like he'd rather be anywhere else but in that room."Mr. Martinez, you're under oath. Are you saying you committed perjury in your initial statements to police?" The judge asks directly."Yes, Your Honor," Luca says, his voice steady now. "I lied. Captain Hayes didn't attack me. I was paid to make it look like he did." He reveals, causing another uproar which dies down almost immediately."Paid by whom?" the judge demands.Luca's eyes scan the courtroom.Then they land on Nolan.He raises his hand and points directly at him."By Nolan Carter," Luca says clearly. "He paid me fifty thousand dollars to fake the injury and blame Captain Hayes."Every head in the courtroom turns to stare at Nolan.I feel his body go rigid beside me, his hand tightening painf

A baby?

Orion POVI can't breathe. I can't fucking breathe.Bailey's words keep echoing in my head, over and over.We are expecting a baby?A baby and not just a baby but our baby.I stare at her, then at my mother, then back at Bailey, my mind trying to process what I just heard."A baby?" I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper. "Bailey, you're... we're..." I trail off, not sure if saying it loud might suddenly make it a dream and not a reality I crave."We are pregnant," Bailey finishes softly, her eyes searching mine with a mixture of hope and fear. Which means she was pregnant when she made that deal with Nolan.She was pregnant when she sacrificed herself to protect me.When she drugged me and walked away, letting me think she'd chosen him.She was carrying our child and still put herself in danger to save me.The realization hits me like a freight train."You were pregnant," I say, my voice shaking. "You were pregnant and you still went to him. You still risked everything…""I risk

burst open

Bailey By the time we finally make it back to Orion's apartment…our apartment, I remind myself…the sun is setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.After the court room, Diana somehow convinced us to go back for a celebration. Apparently, she knew Orion was going home a free man they day so she ordered the servants to prepare a feast and a feast it was.I was fed with so much food I feared my belly would burst open.“ This is good for the baby.”I heard that line so many times I almost fainted.Diana even suggested we spend the night there but Orion refused, saying he wanted exclusive time with me.Honestly, I couldn't be more thankful otherwise I would have ended up overfed by that pair of excited grandparents.Throughout the drive, Orion kept one hand on the wheel and the other either holding mine or resting protectively on my stomach.It's as if he needed the constant reminder that both the baby and I are real.When we step inside, the familiar space feels different

come here

Orion POVI wake up to find Bailey already dressed, moving quietly around the bedroom trying not to disturb me."Morning," I say, my voice still rough with sleep.She turns, a soft smile on her face. "Morning. I was trying to let you sleep in. You were exhausted last night." She replies."Come here," I say, patting the bed beside me.Bailey walks over and I pull her down, wrapping my arms around her and resting my hand on her stomach like I did all night."How are you feeling?" I ask.“ Do you have any morning sickness?"My mom said pregnant mothers often suffer from morning sickness during the first trimester."A little nauseous but nothing terrible," she admits. "I've been lucky so far.""Good," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her temple.My phone chooses that moment to buzz on the nightstand, breaking the peaceful moment.I reach for it reluctantly and see Coach Williams' name on the screen.It's a message from him. For a moment, I contemplate ignoring it but eventually decide against