Chapter 20
20
T he weeks leading up to the party passed in a blur of activity. The estate buzzed with preparations, every corner of the house transformed into a vision of glamour. Aurelia had thrown herself into the planning, coordinating with Marisol and managing endless details. She wanted everything to be perfect.
But as the party approached, exhaustion began to seep into her bones. It wasn’t just the long hours or the stress—it was something deeper. Her energy ebbed more with each passing day, her appetite waned, and a nagging worry settled in the pit of her stomach.
By the time the day of the party arrived, Aurelia was worn thin. She sat in front of her vanity, staring at her reflection, her thoughts heavy. I can’t be pregnant, I haven’t missed a period, but I can’t keep taking risks. I have to see a doctor before it’s too late. She took a steadying breath, resolving to act before the night spiraled out of her control.
The excuse came easily. The estate was a whirlwind of last-minute preparations, the security team stretched thin with the influx of deliveries and guest arrivals. When she told Michalis she needed to run into town for something small—a personal errand—she made sure her tone was casual, offhand.
“They’re busy with security,” she said, brushing her hair behind her ear. “It’ll only take an hour.”
Michalis studied her, his eyes narrowing slightly. For a moment, she thought he might insist on sending someone with her, but instead, he nodded. “Fine,” he said, his voice calm. Too calm. “But don’t linger.”
Aurelia gave him a quick smile and slipped out before he could change his mind.
The drive into town was uneventful, the car cutting smoothly through the winding roads. She kept her hands tight on the wheel, her stomach churning with nerves. The sign for the walk-in clinic loomed ahead, and she pulled into the parking lot, her heart racing.
Inside, the waiting room was small but clean, the faint smell of antiseptic in the air. She checked in at the desk, giving her name and reason for the visit. The receptionist smiled kindly, handing her a clipboard with paperwork.
“Have a seat,” the woman said. “We’ll call you in shortly.”
Aurelia settled into one of the chairs, her foot tapping anxiously against the floor. This is the right thing to do, she told herself. Michalis doesn’t need to know. This is my choice.
Her name was called a few minutes later, and she followed the nurse into a small examination room. The doctor entered shortly after, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a professional demeanor.
“What brings you in today?” the doctor asked, settling onto a stool.
“I’d like to get on birth control,” Aurelia said, her voice steady despite the knot in her stomach.
The doctor nodded. “That’s easy enough. We’ll just need to do a quick pregnancy test first—it’s standard procedure.”
Aurelia hesitated, then nodded. “Sure, that’s fine.”
The nurse handed her a cup and directed her to the restroom. When she returned, the nurse took the sample and disappeared, leaving Aurelia alone with her thoughts.
Minutes ticked by, each one dragging longer than the last.
She shifted uncomfortably in the chair, her fingers twisting together as she waited for the doctor to return with the results of her pregnancy test. The antiseptic smell of the room was sharp, the clinical lighting stark against the pale walls.
When the door opened, the doctor entered with a warm smile, holding a clipboard. “Well, the test is positive,” she said gently.
Aurelia blinked, her stomach flipping. “Positive?” she repeated, the word foreign on her tongue. “That…can’t be right. I haven’t missed any periods.”
The doctor nodded, her expression kind but professional. “That’s not uncommon. Hormonal changes can sometimes cause light bleeding that mimics a period. But we can confirm how far along you are with an ultrasound, if you’d like.”
Aurelia hesitated, her heart pounding. “Okay,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor guided her to another room and gestured toward the examination table. Aurelia lay back, the paper beneath her crinkling loudly in the silence. She pulled up her shirt, exposing her abdomen, and tried to focus on the ceiling tiles instead of the cold gel being spread across her skin.
“This will just take a moment,” the doctor said reassuringly, moving the transducer across Aurelia’s lower belly.
The screen beside them flickered to life, and Aurelia’s breath caught as the grainy image appeared. At first, she couldn’t make sense of it, but then the doctor pointed. “There,” she pointed, her tone gentle. “I’d say you’re about eight weeks along, and there’s the heartbeat.”
A faint, rhythmic flutter filled the room. Aurelia’s chest tightened, tears springing to her eyes as she stared at the tiny, pulsing dot on the screen. “That’s the heartbeat?” she whispered.
The doctor nodded, her smile soft. “Yes. Everything looks good so far, but I’d recommend following up with an OB to monitor the pregnancy. Early care is important.”
Aurelia nodded absently, her mind spinning. She barely registered the rest of the doctor’s instructions as she wiped the gel off her stomach and got dressed. When she stepped outside into the sunlight, the warmth on her skin did little to ease the chill that had settled in her chest.
The drive back to the estate passed in a blur, her thoughts swirling with questions she didn’t have answers to. She was pregnant. With Michalis’s child. It must have happened the first week we were together. Oh, my god.
Her hand drifted to her abdomen, resting lightly over the spot where the doctor had shown her the heartbeat. A strange, fierce protectiveness bloomed in her chest, cutting through the confusion and fear. She didn’t know how she felt about Michalis, about their relationship, but she knew one thing with absolute certainty—she wanted to protect this baby.
But how could she bring a child into Michalis’s dangerous, violent world? He’d said it himself. ‘ This isn’t some storybook where everyone gets to live happily ever after. My world is dark. Dangerous.’ He’d said if she knew half of what he did, she wouldn’t just run, she would hate him.
I have to tell him . The thought made her stomach twist. But not yet. Not until I know what to do.
Aurelia’s hand rested over her flat stomach as the car sped toward the estate. The rhythmic thrum of the engine wasn’t enough to drown out her racing thoughts. She couldn’t stop thinking about the ultrasound image tucked in her purse—the faint outline of a tiny life that now shaped every decision she had to make.
I can’t stay here. Not with Michalis’s enemies waiting in the shadows.
Her heart twisted. At some point she’d fallen head over heels in love with Michalis. That much she couldn’t deny. But love couldn’t protect their child from the darkness surrounding him. His dangerous world, his position as head of the Giannopoulos family, meant a life of threats, fear, and violence. It wasn’t what she wanted for her baby.
If I tell him, he’ll never let me go. He’ll come after me, no matter where I run. But if he doesn’t know… Her throat tightened as the thought unfolded. Maybe, just maybe, she could slip away and give their child a chance at a different life.
David’s name came to mind, followed by a wave of unease. She hated involving him, but she couldn’t escape on her own. He was attending the party tonight. She’d ask for his help. It was a desperate gamble, but she had no other options. The security around Michalis was too tight—this might be her only chance.
By the time she reached the estate, her emotions were a tangled mess of fear, protectiveness, and uncertainty. She slipped through the front doors unnoticed, grateful not to run into Michalis as she made her way upstairs.
For now, she needed time to think.
The sound of running water greeted her as she stepped into the bedroom. Michalis was in the shower, the faint steam curling out from beneath the bathroom door. Aurelia let out a shaky breath, leaning against the dresser as she tried to collect herself.
She moved to the vanity, pulling out her makeup and jewelry. The act of getting ready—of focusing on small, mundane details—helped to ground her, though the twisting knot in her chest remained. She didn’t hear the bathroom door open until Michalis spoke.
“You’re quiet,” he said, his voice smooth but tinged with something she couldn’t place. “Did you get what you needed in town?”
She glanced at him in the mirror. He was shirtless, a towel slung low on his hips, water still glistening on his chest. He watched her with sharp, piercing eyes, his gaze lingering on her face.
Overcome with emotion, tears sprang to her eyes. All she could do was nod.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone softening.
“Nothing,” she swallowed past her emotion, turning back to the mirror. “I’m just nervous about the party, I guess.”
Michalis stepped closer, his reflection looming behind hers. “Is that all?” he asked, his voice low, skeptical. “Just nerves?”
“Yes,” she said, her hands faltering slightly as she adjusted her earrings. “That’s all.”
He didn’t press further, although she could feel him watching her, his silence speaking volumes as he got dressed. She forced herself to focus on her reflection, refusing to meet his eyes.
The soft glow of the vanity light cast Aurelia’s reflection in warm tones as she stood and adjusted one of the delicate straps of her champagne gown. The fitted bodice clung to her curves, the fabric shimmering with every subtle movement, and the scattered crystals glinted like stars against the silky material. She smoothed the skirt over her hips, the gentle flare pooling around her feet like liquid gold. The gown was breathtaking, but as she gazed at herself in the mirror, her thoughts strayed elsewhere.
She replayed her plan over and over, each detail carefully rehearsed. For the baby. Still, the thought of leaving Michalis, of running from the man she loved, made her chest ache.
She pinned her hair in a sleek chignon, leaving a few soft tendrils to frame her face. Her reflection in the mirror stared back with wide, stormy eyes. You can do this.
Her hand drifted instinctively to her abdomen, her fingers brushing lightly against the fabric as though seeking reassurance. The memory of the doctor’s words replayed in her mind: “You’re about eight weeks along.”
A mix of emotions churned within her—fear, uncertainty, and an almost overwhelming protectiveness. She hadn’t told Michalis yet. She didn’t even know how to start.
“You look stunning,” Michalis said, his deep voice breaking through her thoughts. She looked up in the mirror to find him standing a few steps behind her, watching her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
He looked devastating in his tailored black tuxedo, the crisp white shirt beneath, still open at the collar. His dark hair was slightly damp from his shower, and the faintest hint of cologne lingered in the air between them. The electric blue of his eyes glowed with quiet intensity as they raked over her.
“You’re stunning,” he said, his voice low and smooth.
She flushed under his gaze, warmth blooming in her chest. “So are you.”
His slow grin stole the very breath from her lungs.
“You’re staring,” she added lightly.
“I’m admiring,” he corrected, stepping closer behind her. His hands came to rest lightly on her arms, his touch firm and possessive. “It suits you.”
She hesitated, her fingers faltering over the clasp of her bracelet. “It’s the one you liked when the fashion reps came to the house.”
“I remember,” he said simply. His thumbs brushed against her bare skin, sending a ripple of warmth down her arms. “You were made for this.”
Aurelia rolled her eyes, though her cheeks warmed under his praise.
His expression faltered, a rare vulnerability flickering in his eyes. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice quieter now, more measured.
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, pulling away and stepping out of his reach. “Just nervous about the party.”
Michalis didn’t move, his gaze steady as he watched her. “That’s not it,” he said softly. “Are you feeling all right?” he asked, his tone soft with concern. “You seemed… off before you left.”
Aurelia busied herself with clasping her bracelet, refusing to meet his eyes. “It’s nothing, Michalis. I’m fine. To be honest, I just needed some air.”
“Air,” he echoed, his lips curling into a humorless smile. “You’ve been ‘needing air’ a lot lately. Enough to drive yourself into town by yourself.” He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “What aren’t you telling me, Aurelia?”
Her resolve wavered under the intensity of his gaze, but she held her ground. “Nothing. You’re being paranoid.”
“Nothing?” His voice dropped to a dangerously quiet tone, the sharp edge in it cutting through her defenses. “You were gone for hours, Aurelia. And yet, now that you’re back, you can’t even look me in the eye. What did you think? That I wouldn’t notice?”
Her stomach twisted as he stepped even closer, his chest against her back. “Michalis, please. I just needed some time to myself.”
His eyes narrowed, suspicion and frustration darkening his expression. “You’re lying to me,” he accused, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know where you went.”
Her breath hitched, and her heart stuttered in her chest. Before she could reply, his hands slid to her waist, firm but not unkind. His touch sent a jolt through her as he brought them slowly around to her belly. The movement was deliberate, pointed.
Her eyes widened, and her breath caught as the realization hit. She met his gaze in the mirror. “Michalis…”
“When were you planning to tell me about the baby?” His voice was quiet now, but there was an undercurrent of hurt beneath the calm.
Tears filled her eyes, spilling over before she could stop them. “I…” Her voice cracked as she answered truthfully. “I don’t know.”
His grip tightened, and he exhaled slowly, as though trying to rein in his emotions. “Did you go to the doctor to…” He paused, his voice roughening. “Are you still…”
“Yes, eight weeks,” she whispered fiercely, placing her hands over his.
He shuddered in relief. “And you’re okay? The baby is okay?”
“We’re both fine.”
He pulled her closer, resting his head on top of hers as his hands fully splayed protectively over her stomach. “Thank god,” he murmured. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if either of you…”
His words tore at her already fragile composure. She closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks as the burden of her decision crushed her. She wanted to tell him everything—that she was running to protect their child, that she loved him but couldn’t stay. But the words wouldn’t come.
He turned her in his arms and brushed a tear away with his thumb, his touch achingly tender. “I like the idea of becoming a father,” he said softly. “And you… you’ll be an amazing mother. I know it.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper, filled with an unfamiliar vulnerability. “I want this. I want us to be a family. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in love with you.”
Her chest ached as she struggled to find her voice. “Michalis, I…”
He silenced her with a kiss, his lips warm and reassuring against hers. “We’ll figure everything out,” he promised. “Together.”
Aurelia nodded faintly, even as her heart splintered. Together was what she wanted more than anything. But it wasn’t a dream she could afford.
“We can talk about this later. Let’s go greet our guests.” He straightened, fixing his shirt and tie, then adjusting his cufflinks as his tone shifted back to normal, stepping back and offering her his arm. His smile was tender, full of pride. “You look beautiful, agápe mou . Everyone should see you like this.”
She took his arm, a small smile playing on her lips as her resolve wavered. Give me one more night, she prayed. One more night to be his.