Semua Bab Pregnant After The Contract Ended : Bab 31 - Bab 40

Lucas’s POVThe Ashford mansion had become a place I no longer recognized. It was a factory of luxury. Two days remained until the wedding, and the air was thick with the smell of expensive flowers and the sound of frantic voices. Every room was filled with workers. They were hanging silk drapes, polishing silver that already shone, and laying down a long white carpet that led from the grand staircase to the garden.I stood in my library, the only room that was still quiet. I was leaning on my cane, looking at the door. I felt like a stranger in my own home. My mother was the happiest she had ever been. She moved from room to room like a general, making sure every fork was in the right place.My cousins had arrived that morning from all over the world. The house was full of tall, handsome men and women with the Ashford nose and the Ashford ego. They were drinking my expensive whiskey and laughing about the "good old days." They saw my marriage to Valentina as a victory. To them, it wa

Lucas’s POVThe night of the rehearsal dinner was supposed to be a triumph. The great ballroom of the Ashford mansion was filled with the smell of expensive wine and the sound of a violin playing softly in the corner.My mother, Evelyn, sat at the head of the long table, her face glowing with a pride I hadn't seen in years.To her right sat Valentina. She looked like a dream in a dress made of cream silk. She was laughing, her hand resting on my arm, showing off the giant diamond ring to everyone who passed by. To the world, we were the perfect couple.But across from us, Charlotte sat like a stone. She hadn't touched her food. Her eyes were fixed on Valentina, and they were full of a dark, cold fire. I knew my sister. She was quiet, but when she was angry, she was dangerous."A toast!" Victor Rossi stood up, his voice booming. "To the joining of our blood. To the future of the Ashford and Rossi empires!"Everyone cheered. The sound of crystal clinking filled the room. I raised my gla

The morning of the wedding was cold. A thick fog hung over the city, hiding the tops of the tall buildings. I stood in front of the window of my bedroom, already dressed in my black tuxedo. The fabric was stiff, and the collar of my white shirt felt like it was choking me.Downstairs, I could hear the house moving. I heard the clinking of champagne glasses, the heavy footsteps of security guards, and the high-pitched laughter of cousins I barely knew. It was the sound of a celebration, but to me, it sounded like a clock ticking down to zero.I looked at my hands. They were steady, but they felt cold. I didn't feel like a groom. I felt like a soldier walking into a battle I had already lost.A knock came at the door. It was Charlotte. She was wearing a beautiful dress of dark blue silk, but her face was pale and her eyes were red. She didn't come in to hug me. She stayed by the door, her arms crossed tight over her chest."The cars are here, Lucas," she said. Her voice was flat."I kno

The silence grew longer. The guests began to shift. I heard a cough in the back. Charlotte leaned forward, her eyes wide with a tiny spark of hope.I took a deep breath. I felt the ring in my pocket. It felt like a hot coal."I do," I said.The words felt like lead. They fell from my lips and hit the floor, heavy and cold.Valentina’s smile grew wider. She looked like she wanted to scream with joy. The priest turned to her."And do you, Valentina Rossi..."I didn't hear the rest. I felt like I was drifting away from my own body. I had said it. I had done my duty. I had saved the company. I had made my mother happy.But as the priest spoke the final words and told me I could kiss the bride, I felt a piece of my soul break off and disappear. I leaned in and kissed Valentina’s cheek. She tasted like expensive powder and cold ambition.The organ began to play—a loud, triumphant song. The guests stood up and cheered. We turned and began the long walk down the aisle.I walked with my head h

I didn't say anything. I knew she was right. Every time I felt him move, I felt a connection to a world I had left behind. But it wasn't a sad connection. It was a peaceful one. Here, my baby was safe. He wouldn't be born into a world of contracts and lies. He would be born into the fresh air and the quiet.I had a small room with a window that looked at the stars. Every night, I would look at the moon and think about Lucas. I didn't wish him bad things. I hoped he was finding a way to be happy. I hoped his mother was well. I hoped he was safe.I had forgiven him. Not because what he did was right, but because I needed to be free. If I carried anger, I couldn't be a good mother."We are peaceful now," I whispered to the wind.And for the first time in my life, I truly felt like I was. I had no money, no title, and no "husband," but I had a roof over my head and a heart full of love for the life growing inside me.Lucas’s POV – Six Months LaterTime moved like a slow, heavy river.The