Lahat ng Kabanata ng Pregnant After Signing the Billionaire’s One-Year Contract.: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

‎‎Ariana woke up slowly.‎‎Her head felt heavy.‎‎Her side still hurt.‎‎But the hospital smell was gone.‎‎No machines.‎‎No beeping sounds.‎‎Just silence.‎‎She opened her eyes.‎‎White ceiling.‎‎Soft light.‎‎A large bedroom.‎‎Too elegant to be a prison.‎‎She tried to move.‎‎Her hands were free.‎‎Her legs were free.‎‎No ropes.‎‎No chains.‎‎But the door—‎‎Locked.‎‎Her heart began to pound.‎‎“Lucien…”‎‎No answer.‎‎She pushed herself up carefully.‎‎Pain shot through her side.‎‎She winced.‎‎The baby.‎‎Her hand moved to her stomach instantly.‎‎Still there.‎‎Still alive.‎‎She breathed slowly.‎‎Think.‎‎Don’t panic.‎‎Footsteps echoed outside the door.‎‎The lock clicked.‎‎The door opened.‎‎Marcus walked in calmly.‎‎Wearing a dark suit.‎‎Like he was visiting a guest.‎‎Not holding a hostage.‎‎“Good,” he said softly. “You’re awake.”‎‎Ariana stared at him.‎‎Cold.‎‎“You kidnapped me.”‎‎Marcus smiled faintly.‎‎“No.”

‎‎‎Ava did not sleep that night.‎‎Adrian’s words kept echoing in her mind.‎‎“You think I am heartless? You don’t know anything about me.”‎‎She had never seen that look in his eyes before.‎‎It was not anger.‎‎It was pain.‎‎And pain scared her more than anger.‎‎Morning came too fast.‎‎The mansion felt different.‎‎Quiet.‎‎Heavy.‎‎Like the walls were listening.‎‎Ava walked downstairs slowly. She was not sure what she would face today. Adrian had not come to their room after the argument. She had slept alone again.‎‎When she reached the dining hall, she froze.‎‎Adrian was already there.‎‎Dressed in a black suit.‎‎Perfect.‎‎Cold.‎‎Untouchable.‎‎But something was off.‎‎His jaw was tight. His eyes looked darker than usual.‎‎He did not look at her when she entered.‎‎“Good morning,” she said softly.‎‎He continued drinking his coffee.‎‎Then finally, he spoke.‎‎“Sit.”‎‎It was not rude.‎‎But it was not warm either.‎‎Ava sat down carefully.

‎‎The moment their car entered the Cole mansion gates, Ava felt it.‎‎The air had changed.‎‎It was no longer just a house.‎‎It was a battlefield.‎‎The guards at the entrance stood straighter than usual. The servants avoided eye contact. Even the garden, which once felt calm, now looked like a place hiding secrets.‎‎Adrian stepped out first and walked around to open her door.‎‎Again.‎‎That small action did not go unnoticed.‎‎Two maids standing near the stairs exchanged glances.‎‎Ava stepped out carefully, her hand resting lightly on her stomach. It was still early. No one could see the baby yet.‎‎But everyone could feel its power.‎‎Inside, the mansion felt colder than before.‎‎Adrian stopped walking suddenly.‎‎“From today,” he said without looking at her, “you won’t go anywhere alone.”‎‎She blinked. “Adrian—”‎‎“I’m serious.”‎‎He turned to face her fully.‎‎“There will always be a driver. Always a guard. If you feel unwell, call me immediately.”‎‎His t

‎Ava did not sleep.‎‎Not because of fear.‎‎But because she finally understood something clearly.‎‎This was not a family fight.‎‎This was strategy.‎‎And she was the center of it.‎‎Morning light entered the bedroom quietly, but the weight in the air did not lift.‎‎Adrian was already dressed when she sat up.‎‎Dark suit.‎‎Silver tie.‎‎Calm expression.‎‎But she could see it now — the tension behind his eyes.‎‎“You’re going to the office,” she said softly.‎‎“Yes.”‎‎“The board?”‎‎“Pre-meeting discussions.”‎‎She watched him button his cufflinks with precise movements.‎‎Controlled.‎‎Measured.‎‎Too controlled.‎‎“They want you to react,” she said carefully.‎‎His hands paused for a second.‎‎Then continued.‎‎“I know.”‎‎“Then don’t.”‎‎His gaze shifted to her.‎‎“You think I lose control easily?”‎‎She hesitated.‎‎“Not easily. But when it comes to this baby… you’re different.”‎‎Silence.‎‎He didn’t deny it.‎‎That silence said everything.‎‎

‎The boardroom was colder than the hospital hallway.‎‎Long black table.‎‎Floor-to-ceiling windows.‎‎City skyline stretching behind them like a silent witness.‎‎Twelve board members were already seated when Adrian entered.‎‎Ava walked beside him.‎‎Every eye in the room shifted to her instantly.‎‎Some curious.‎‎Some judgmental.‎‎Some openly hostile.‎‎No one smiled.‎‎At the far end of the table sat Mr. Harrison, the senior independent director. Calm. Gray-haired. Calculating.‎‎“Adrian,” he said evenly. “Thank you for coming on short notice.”‎‎“You moved the meeting,” Adrian replied calmly. “So I adjusted.”‎‎His voice was steady.‎‎Controlled.‎‎Not a trace of panic.‎‎“Please sit,” Harrison said.‎‎Adrian pulled out a chair for Ava first.‎‎A deliberate move.‎‎A message.‎‎She sat.‎‎Then he took his seat beside her.‎‎Not at the head of the table.‎‎Beside her.‎‎Another message.‎‎Harrison folded his hands.‎‎“As you are aware, serious allegati