Chapter 4 Unraveling Threads

The morning sunlight filtered through the thick curtains of Madia's penthouse, casting soft golden streaks across the room. It was a new day, but the heavy weight of the previous night's conversation with Lucas hung over her like a storm cloud. She had barely slept, the words he spoke echoing in her mind. "You're not the only one with power."

Madia's stomach churned. What did he mean by that? She had been in control of every aspect of her life for so long, always five steps ahead. But Lucas Lucas was different. He wasn't like the others. He wasn't trying to impress her, seduce her, or even please her. He was here for something else. And that something else... worried her.

She forced herself out of bed, dressing in her usual sharp business attire a fitted blazer and black trousers, her face already steeled for the challenges of the day ahead, Control. She needed to remind herself of that. She was in charge. Always.

Walking into the kitchen, she noticed Lucas sitting at the breakfast table, as he had been every morning since he moved in. His face was impassive, as always, but there was a sharpness to his gaze. It made her uncomfortable, though she wouldn't admit it to herself. She didn't owe him anything, certainly not an explanation. He was here because she paid him to be.

"Good morning," she said, her voice clipped, trying to maintain the distance between them. She had done what she needed to do; now, she just had to wait for the pregnancy to be confirmed, and the rest would fall into place.

Lucas looked up at her, not a hint of warmth in his eyes. "Morning."

Madia went about preparing her coffee, trying to ignore the simmering tension that seemed to rise with every passing day. But Lucas wasn't one to let things go easily. As she poured her coffee, he spoke again, his voice low and measured.

"You know, I've been thinking," he began, and Madia couldn't help but glance at him. "About the child."

She paused mid-pour, her pulse picking up. She forced herself to maintain composure as she finished pouring her coffee and turned to face him.

"What about it?" she asked, keeping her tone casual.

Lucas met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "You're going to need more than just a child. You're going to need someone to care for that child. Someone to raise him. Don't think for a second that you'll be able to do it alone. You can't control everything, Madia."

Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected this conversation. She thought their arrangement had been clear. She had made her intentions clear. He was here to give her a child. That was it. Nothing more.

But his words sent a wave of unease through her. Was he trying to manipulate her? Did he think he had the upper hand?

"Look," she said, her voice tight. "We agreed on the terms. You're getting paid. The baby is mine, and once it's born, you'll leave. That's the deal. There's nothing more to discuss."

Lucas didn't respond immediately. Instead, he looked down at his coffee, swirling the liquid slowly, as if contemplating his next words carefully. Then, after a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Is that really all it is for you, Madia?" he asked, his voice almost taunting. "Just a transaction?"

She clenched her jaw, refusing to show weakness. "Yes. That's all it is. A business deal."

Lucas's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "A business deal," he repeated, as if testing the words in his mouth. "You keep telling yourself that, but the more you insist, the more I think it's not true. There's something else, Madia. Something you're not telling me."

Madia's pulse raced. She hated the way he seemed to see through her, to dig under her skin. She wasn't about to let him continue down this path. Control. She was in control.

"It doesn't matter," she snapped, her voice sharp. "You'll get your money, and I'll get my son. That's all."

Lucas sat back in his chair, studying her for a moment, before nodding slowly. "Alright. But remember this, Madia, what we're doing isn't as simple as you think. It's not just about money or a child. There's more to it. You can't force control over everything, no matter how hard you try."

Madia's breath hitched in her chest, the words sinking deeper than she wanted to admit. What was he playing at? She had made it clear that this was a business arrangement, that their connection was purely transactional. But the way he spoke, as if he knew things about her, things she didn't want to admit to herself made her feel exposed. Vulnerable. It was a feeling she had long avoided.

Without answering him, she turned on her heel and walked out of the kitchen, forcing her mind back to the task at hand. The pregnancy needed to be confirmed soon. Then, everything would fall into place. She could get back to her carefully planned life.

---

Later that afternoon, the doctor arrived to confirm the pregnancy. Madia's heart raced as she sat in the sterile white room, her eyes on the ultrasound screen. Lucas sat beside her, his expression neutral as always, though she could feel the tension building between them. He was a stranger and it irritated her that she couldn't figure him out. She didn't like being in the dark. She didn't like feeling unsure.

The doctor spoke briefly, confirming that everything was proceeding as planned, and for the first time in days, Madia allowed herself a small, victorious smile. This was what she wanted, this child would secure her legacy, secure everything she had worked for. It was the future she had dreamed of.

Lucas didn't say anything as they left the doctor's office, but Madia could feel his presence beside her. It was as if he was silently watching, waiting for her to slip up. And that realization no matter how irrational made her uneasy.

As they returned to the penthouse, Madia found herself on edge, as though she was waiting for some kind of sign. She didn't know what it was, but she could feel it in the pit of her stomach. Lucas was playing a game. The question was: What was his end goal?

That night, as she sat in her office, reviewing some documents, the door to her office creaked open. She looked up to see Lucas standing in the doorway, his posture relaxed but his eyes locked on hers.

"What do you want?" she asked, annoyance slipping into her voice.

"I've been thinking," he said, his voice low, "about the contract. About our arrangement."

Madia straightened in her chair, her attention fully on him. "What about it?"

"I think you're underestimating me, Madia," Lucas said, stepping into the room. His tone was even, but there was something in it, something that made her blood run cold. "This isn't just about a child. It's about control. You don't have it. Not like you think you do."

Madia swallowed hard, her grip on the pen tightening as she stared at him. The air between them was thick with tension, and once again, she felt that uncomfortable sense of vulnerability.

"You've already signed the contract," she said coldly, her voice steady. "There's no turning back now."

Lucas tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a small smile. "Oh, I'm not turning back, Madia. But you might want to start worrying about how much control you actually have."

Madia's heart skipped a beat. Was this a threat? Or was he just trying to mess with her? Either way, she refused to show fear. She would never show him weakness.

"I told you," she said, her voice icy, "this is a business deal. Nothing more."

But as Lucas walked out of the office, Madia couldn't shake the feeling that it was something far darker than that.