Chapter 3 FINALLY

Adrian

I stood at the head of the table, surveying the room. "Good morning, shareholders. I trust you've all received the quarterly reports?"

The shareholders nodded in unison.

I got straight to the point. "Our profits are up 5% from last quarter, and we're on track to meet our annual projections."

John raised his hand. "Mr knight, that's impressive, but what about the recent rumors of a potential merger with Smithson Inc.?"

I maintained my neutral expression. "I can neither confirm nor deny those rumors. What I can tell you is that we're constantly exploring opportunities to expand our market share and increase shareholder value."

Maria spoke up, her voice laced with skepticism. "But what about the potential risks involved in such a merger? We can't just ignore the concerns of our investors."

I remained unfazed. "Risks are inherent in any business decision. I assure you, our team has conducted thorough analyses, and we're confident in our ability to deal with any challenges that may arise."

David hesitated before speaking. "I'm not sure I agree with your assessment, Mr. Knight. Perhaps we should consider alternative strategies?"

I felt a hint of annoyance, but my expression remained cold. "I appreciate your input, David. However, I must remind you that I've been running this company successfully for over a decade. I think I know what's best for knights Industries."

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. I glanced at my watch, signaling the end of the meeting. "I believe that's all the time we have for today. Thank you for your attendance, shareholders. I'll have my assistant send over the meeting minutes and supporting documents."

As the shareholders filed out of the conference room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction that nobody said anything about the pregnancy news.

*****

Isla

The city was louder than I remembered. Or maybe it was just my pulse hammering in my ears as I sat on the cold, hard bench outside Knight Industries. My hands trembled in my lap, my stomach twisting with nausea that had nothing to do with the pregnancy.

I was in danger.

And Adrian had just thrown me out.

The guards hadn't been gentle. The second he gave the order, they dragged me to the exit, ignoring my protests, my screams, my pleas.

I shouldn't have expected anything else.

Adrian Knight was not a good man.

I'd known that from the moment I met him, from the second his dark gaze landed on me across the crowded, dimly lit bar that night.

That reckless night.

The night that changed everything.

I pressed a shaky hand to my stomach, my body still reeling from the chaos of the last hour.

I needed a plan. I needed to think.

But all I could do was stare at the revolving doors, hoping.

Waiting.

For what?

For Adrian to come storming outside?

For him to realize he made a mistake and demand I come back in?

I laughed bitterly at the thought.

No. He wasn't coming.

And I was running out of time.

Because Victor would find me.

I could already feel his presence like a shadow creeping up my spine. The way his dark eyes would glint with amusement at my failed attempt at freedom.

I needed help.

And the only person powerful enough to protect me... was the same man who had just abandoned me.

*******

Adrian

I shouldn't have looked down the windows.

Shouldn't have stopped at the floor-to-ceiling window in my office, my gaze locked on the small, trembling figure sitting on that bench.

I was supposed to be in another meeting.

Discussing a billion-dollar merger.

Finalizing a contract that would expand Knight Industries across Europe.

But instead, I was watching her.

Isla.

She looked so small out there.

So breakable.

And yet... there was fire in her eyes. Even when she had been shouting at me in the lobby, her voice filled with anger, desperation, and something I didn't want to acknowledge.

Something that made my chest tighten.

I had pushed her away.

I had to.

This wasn't my problem.

I wasn't the type of man who fixed things.

I was the type who destroyed them.

But then why the hell couldn't I look away?

I should have left her there.

Sitting on that bench, shivering in the cold, clinging to whatever hope she still had left.

But I didn't.

Instead, I found myself walking back into the lobby, my voice sharp as I barked out orders to my security.

"Bring her up."

The guards hesitated, glancing at each other.

"Now."

Within minutes, Isla was standing in my office, arms crossed over her chest, chin tilted up defiantly.

I exhaled through my nose, ignoring the way something inside me twisted at the sight of her. She looked exhausted, dark circles under her eyes, her body too thin.

Pregnant.

With my child.

I still wasn't sure if I believed it. But I couldn't ignore the small part of me that wasn't willing to take the risk.

"Come on," I muttered, grabbing my coat.

She frowned. "Where are we going?"

"You need a place to stay."

"I'm fine on my own," she shot back.

I leveled her with a glare. "Clearly."

Her lips pressed together, but she followed me out of the building and into the waiting black car.

I told myself it was temporary.

A business transaction.

I'd give her a place to stay, figure out if she was telling the truth, and then... deal with it accordingly.

But nothing about Isla Carter was simple.

Isla

The second I sat in Adrian's sleek, expensive car, a wave of nausea rolled over me.

Not from morning sickness.

From hunger.

"Are you okay?" Adrian asked, his voice laced with annoyance.

I swallowed hard. "I need to eat."

"We'll get food when we get home."

I shook my head frantically. "No. Now."

He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Fine. What do you want?"

I thought for a second.

"Pickles."

He blinked. "Pickles?"

"And peanut butter."

His jaw tightened. "Pickles and peanut butter?"

"And maybe... ice cream?" I added sheepishly.

Adrian stared at me like I had just asked him to burn down his company.

"You're joking."

I folded my arms. "You asked me what I wanted."

He ran a hand down his face, muttering a string of curses under his breath.

Then, before I could react, he pulled the car over to the curb and unlocked the doors.

"Get out."

I blinked. "What?"

"You heard me," he said flatly. "If you're going to make ridiculous demands, find someone else to deal with them."

I opened my mouth, then closed it.

Then I did the only thing I could think of.

I started crying.

Not on purpose. Not as some manipulation tactic.

But because I was exhausted.

Because I was pregnant, alone, and scared out of my mind.

Adrian cursed again, this time softer.

Then, to my complete shock, he reached across the seat and grabbed my wrist, pulling me back inside.

"Stop crying," he muttered.

I sniffed. "Then stop being a jerk."

His lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn't argue.

Instead, he put the car back in drive.

"Pickles and peanut butter, huh?" he murmured.

I nodded.

His knuckles tightened around the wheel.

"This is going to be hell."