All Chapters of Burning The Creed Empire: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Renee’s POV The doctor’s smile was warm as he slid the ultrasound printout across the desk. “Congratulations, Mrs. Creed. You’re pregnant. Three weeks along.” A knot twisted in my stomach, equal parts joy and terror. I forced a smile. “Thank you, Doctor.” “Rest is crucial in these early weeks,” he added as I stood. I nodded, clutching the paper like a secret I wasn’t ready to share. The morning sickness I’d blamed on endless overtime wasn’t stress after all. It was this tiny life growing inside me. Outside, Draven waited in the car, eyes locked on his iPad, fingers tapping out commands. He didn’t glance up as I slid into the back seat beside him. I cleared my throat, the words “I’m pregnant” lodging in my throat like glass. He still didn’t look. “Draven, I need to…” “You really picked now to fall apart?” His voice cut sharp. “Do you have any idea what your little collapse has done to the timeline? One day costs us millions.” The fragile courage I’d scraped together shattere

Renee's POVLinda leaned in and whispered something in Draven’s ear. His arms slid under her knees and back in one smooth motion, lifting her princess-style. She looped her arms around his neck with a soft laugh as he carried her up the stairs.I trailed behind, each step heavier than the last, my heart sinking like lead.He eased her onto the guest room bed. With gentle fingers, he brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She winced, hand fluttering to her leg.Draven’s gaze followed instantly. He knelt, cradling her ankle with careful hands, watching her face for every flicker of pain as he probed from knee to ankle. She hissed softly; he murmured an apology and kept rubbing slow circles over the spot.“What’s wrong?” I stepped forward from the doorway, I might as well have been invisible until now.Draven didn’t look up. “She twisted her ankle. I’m checking if it’s bad.”“You’re not a doctor. How would you know?” I moved closer. “Let me. I studied sports r

Renee’s POVThe steady beep of the heart monitor pulled me from the darkness. My eyelids fluttered open to stark white walls and the sharp sting of antiseptic in my nose. For a long moment, my body felt disconnected, numb, heavy, like it belonged to someone else. Then the ache crept in: dull throbs along my spine from the fall, a lingering soreness in my abdomen that made every breath feel careful.I shifted, wincing as the hospital gown tugged against bruised skin. The room was dim, curtains drawn against the late-afternoon light. Empty. No Draven. No flowers, no worried face hovering over me. Just the cold beep-beep-beep and the faint hum of fluorescent lights overhead.The image flashed unbidden: Draven’s broad back retreating through the pried-open elevator doors, Linda cradled in his arms like something precious. He hadn’t even looked back. Not once. My hand had stretched toward him, fingers grasping air, while pain ripped through my stomach and tears burned my eyes. “My baby…”

Renee’s POV I limped towards the curb to haul a cab. My legs felt heavy, I had to strain to lift each leg. I knew I needed rest but staying around Draven stole my peace. I got into the first cab that stopped and it drove me to the creed mansion. Thankfully, my mother in-law was not in sight. I went to the kitchen, the chef was stirring a pot with steam coming out of it. “Can you make something quick for me?” I asked, startling her. She nodded when she saw my face and I went to my room. I broke down in tears when I shut the door behind me. I was tired and drained. I wouldn't say I was acting with my senses, I didn't even stop to think. But there was nothing to think about. I knew I had to leave. It was as though the veil used to cover my eyes had been pulled and I was seeing things more clearly. I was never loved, only wishing and hoping to be seen by the man I'd shown nothing but love to. I made my way to the shower. Took off my clothes and settled into the bath tub, turned

Draven’s POVHe took the invitation as an excuse to stop thinking about Renee’s reckless act. She was just looking for attention. There's no way she should actually leave him. Those were the words he told himself before leaving the office. He met up with Linda who was waiting at the five star restaurant on the other side of town. “You look like there's something on your mind.” She noticed while they were eating. She'd given the excuse of the accident and didn't show up to work on that account. “Uh nothing. I.. I just had a lot of work to do. I had to come because you wanted to have lunch with me.” He replied absent mindedly. “Are you saying you're out here against your will?” Her words cut through his thoughts and he looked up from his food. Realizing he must have said something to make her face squeeze with a frown, he intervened. “No, that's not what I meant. I'm not saying I'm not happy to be here. I was just telling you where my mind was; on work.” She didn't believe him.