Chapter 4 Trapped in her Web

"Pregnant?" Derek asked after a few seconds of being speechless.

"There's no way you can be ......"

"Here." Christina threw the pregnancy test kit on the table, which she had swiped from Grace when she hit her. "It's positive and you're responsible."

Derek opened his mouth and closed it, confused about what to say.

He picked up the test kit and stared at it. He couldn't just deny his baby; if he was responsible, then he'd take responsibility.

Derek was a lot of things; ruthless in business, a perfectionist, a man who controlled every aspect of his life. But irresponsible wasn't one of them.

Derek inhaled deeply, schooling his emotions. "Then we'll do what's right."

A slow smile spread across Christina's lips, her eyes glinting with something he couldn't quite place.

"Does this mean...?"

"I'll take care of you and the baby," Derek said firmly. "Whatever happens, you won't go through this alone."

Christina placed a hand over her stomach, feigning a moment of vulnerability. "I knew you'd do the right thing."

Christina finally relaxed. "He believed me; I have to make this real. I have to get pregnant to avoid suspicion," she thought to herself.

"I'm sorry for getting angry at you last night, I'm the one who did this." Derek apologised.

"Don't worry sweetheart, it's going to be fine. All we have to do is speed up our engagement." Christina walked up to him, adjusting his tie.

"Here, I need you to take care of yourself for me. I'll call our family doctor to check up on you." Derek said

"Oh no, don't worry about that. I already called My family's doctor." She replied confidently.

But her thoughts were a mess.

She needed to do something quickly. "I'll leave you to work, I need to see my mother and tell her of this good news." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

She left the office, while Derek returned to his desk.

As she was about to enter her car, a voice interrupted her. It was Reed Knight, Mr. Derek Knight's younger brother.

He fell in love with Christina who got her eyes on Derek.

He was more handsome than Derek, but Christina couldn't care less about him. She only exchanged greetings with him, but today was different; she needed someone.

"Christina, how are you?" Reed asked with a cheerful grin.

He just stepped out of his car which was parked right beside her car.

"I'm doing great." She replied, moving her blonde hair behind her ears.

"I was wondering if you'd like to get a drink with me, maybe coffee or something. Look, I know you're engaged to brother but let's just have a drink." Reed asked, his eyes eager for a positive answer.

She grinned, "Of course, yes, dear, how about tomorrow night? I'll text you the address."

"That'd be great." He replied and watched as she got into her car and drove away.

Reed went into the building, took the elevator and went straight into his brother's office.

"Derek, how are you?" He greeted me as soon as he stepped into the office.

"I'm going to be a Father," Derek responded, looking up from his table.

"Wait what? How? What do you mean? Did someone come in here and call you daddy?" Reed asked jokingly, unsure of whether to believe Derek or not.

"I got drunk at the annual gala, and I slept with Christina, I have to take responsibility." Derek sighed.

Wow, wow, now that's.......... I didn't realise... Are you sure?"

"Yes, she took a pregnancy test. That's by the way, I called you to discuss this contract." Derek arranged a number of files for Reed and they discussed further.

--

At Grace's apartment,

It was midnight.

Grace's hands trembled as she shoved the last of her clothes into the suitcase. She couldn't stay here, not when Christina had made it clear that she would destroy her if she ever told Derek the truth.

You're doing the right thing," Lucy said softly, standing beside her with an armful of neatly folded clothes. "Sometimes, running is the only way to survive."

Grace sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes darting to the nightstand where the envelope of cash Lucy had given her sat. "I don't know anyone in Manhattan. What if I can't make it?"

Lucy knelt in front of her, gripping her hands. "You will. You're stronger than you think, Grace."

A sharp knock at the door made them both jump.

Grace's heart pounded. Was it Christina? Had she changed her mind and decided to get rid of her before she could leave?

Lucy peeked through the peephole before exhaling in relief. "It's just the cab driver."

Grace nodded, releasing a shaky breath. "Okay... okay. Let's go."

Lucy grabbed one suitcase while Grace picked up the other, their steps hurried yet cautious as they made their way down the dimly lit hallway.

By the time they reached the street, the taxi's headlights illuminated their path. The driver stepped out, popping the trunk. "Heading to the station?"

"Yes," Grace said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucy helped her load the suitcases before turning to face her. "Call me as soon as you get there, okay?"

"I will," Grace promised, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

"You're not alone, Grace. No matter what happens, I've got your back."

Grace threw her arms around Lucy, clinging to the only real friend she had. "Thank you," she whispered.

Lucy pulled back and wiped at her own eyes. "Go."

Grace slid into the backseat of the taxi. She watched as the city lights blurred into streaks of gold and red, her old life disappearing in the rearview mirror.

She was leaving everything behind-her job, her home, and the man who unknowingly changed her life forever.

As the cab sped toward the station, she placed her hand over her stomach.

"Don't worry, baby," she murmured. "Mummy's going to keep you safe."

--

It was evening time when Reed pulled into Christina's luxurious villa. He was excited to have dinner with his long-time crush, but his excitement was crushed when he recalled she was pregnant.

Reed has no idea what was waiting for him.

He was led into the sitting room by the butler.

"Hey, you're here," Christina walked in with two glasses of Whiskey.

"Yes, thank you for accepting my offer" he replied.

"It's fine, how have you been?" She inquired, crossing her legs and Staring at Reeds like a lion about to pounce on its prey.

Reed Knight swirled the drink in his glass, staring at the woman before him. His brother, Derek, was living the life he always wanted; a powerful CEO, a respected businessman, and engaged to the woman Reed had loved for years.

"Great, Derek told me you are pregnant, Congratulations," He said, feeling disappointed.

Of course, he wished his brother well, but he loved Christina, and she never for one day looked his way except today, except when she was already pregnant.

"Oh...I....we...yes...thank you." Christina stuttered, shocked Reed already knew about the fake pregnancy. "How about you take your drink."

Reed gulped down the drink at once, his eyes fixated on her. He kept wondering why she accepted his offer, why now?

She was everything he desired but could never have. No matter how much he wanted her, she only saw him as Derek's shadow, someone to manipulate when she needed a favour.

He dropped the glass on the table. He felt his throat burning, but the sting was nothing compared to the ache in his chest.

Christina leaned closer, her perfume intoxicating. "How do you feel Reed?"

"What did you..." he muttered, his vision blurring slightly. Was the whiskey hitting too fast? His body felt unusually heavy, his head spinning.

"You look tired, Reed. You should rest." Christina whispered.

Something was off. His limbs felt sluggish, and his mind was clouded. The lights dimmed, or maybe his vision was failing. "Christina... what did you..." His words slurred.

"Shh," she whispered, brushing his hair back. "Just relax."

Darkness swallowed him whole.