Chapter 3 Helen discovers that Marcus is stealing from her

Scene: Helen's Apartment – Days Later

Helen was curled up on her couch, cradling her bump, watching an old movie she and Gabriel used to mock for being too cheesy. She had almost dialed his number that morning, had almost confessed everything.

But his silence felt colder now. Emptier.

Marcus showed up with takeout and a smile.

"You really need to stop thinking about him," he said, settling beside her. "He's probably moved on by now. Some men can't handle the idea of raising another man's child."

Helen glanced at him, uncertain. "Gabriel's not like that."

Marcus chuckled. "Everyone's like that, Helen. He just wore a better mask."

She nodded slowly, but her heart twisted.

Marcus leaned in to kiss her, and she didn't pull away-not because she wanted it, but because she was too tired to fight what she thought might be her only option.

Scene: Gabriel's Penthouse – Midnight

Gabriel sat alone on his balcony, looking out over the city, the wind in his hair and a storm in his chest.She played me.She lied to me.She's not who I thought she was.

And yet... her laugh haunted him. Her touch still burned on his skin.

But he forced himself to let go.He shut off his phone. Deleted her contact. Buried her in the shadows of a love he never got to understand.

MARCUS CONTINUES TO DECEIVE HELEN

Helen's Boutique – Two Months Later

The boutique had flourished. Helen's designs were now featured in top fashion blogs and worn by rising celebrities. Customers adored her, and the world saw a glowing entrepreneur... but behind the register and smiles, she was slowly unraveling.

Marcus had become her anchor-or so it seemed. He was everywhere: managing appointments, bringing her lunch, helping with invoices. He looked like the picture of a perfect partner, especially to the outside world.

But little cracks began to show.

Orders mysteriously doubled and vanished. Her accountant flagged untraceable wire transfers. When Helen asked Marcus about it, he always had an answer.

"That vendor's been shady for months," he'd say with a frown. "I'll handle it, babe. You don't need this stress."

And Helen wanted to believe him. Needed to. Especially when he kissed her forehead and whispered, "You're doing amazing. Our baby's going to be proud of you."

Helen's Office – Night

Alone at her desk, Helen stared at the account discrepancies on her screen. Nothing made sense. Numbers didn't match, invoices didn't align, and several contacts had been mysteriously deleted from her records.

Still... Marcus always had access to her computer. Her passwords. Her schedule.

Her hand hovered over her phone.

Gabriel would know what to do.

But she couldn't call him-not after months of silence. Not after he deleted her. Not after he believed Marcus's lies.

Her heart ached for him in ways that had nothing to do with logic. It was a dull, persistent pull that made no sense. She could still hear his voice when the boutique was quiet. Could still feel the memory of his hand over her growing belly, even though it had never happened.

Upscale Restaurant – Marcus's Private Dinner

Marcus raised his glass, looking at Helen like she was the answer to every dream.

"To us," he said.

Helen smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "To us."

He noticed her hesitation. "You okay?"

"Just tired," she said. "Running a business and growing a baby..."

He reached for her hand. "You don't have to do it alone. I'm here. Always."

But even as he said it, his phone buzzed. When he turned it over, she glimpsed a name: Victor – Wire Confirmed.

Marcus quickly flipped the phone. "Work," he muttered.

Helen nodded, but her mind was racing.

Scene: Gabriel's Apartment – Later That Night

Gabriel hadn't stopped thinking about her. He'd tried. God, he'd tried.But nothing felt right anymore. Not the city, not the women, not the work. Helen haunted every corner of his life.

He played her voicemail again.

"I'm not afraid anymore."

Those words didn't belong to a liar. They belonged to someone who had found courage... too late.He stood up suddenly.Maybe it wasn't too late.

Boutique – Following Morning

Helen walked in to find the boutique silent. Her assistant was missing. The inventory system was offline. A courier waited with a thick envelope.

"Delivery for Ms. Rivers."

She opened it, heart pounding.

Inside were forged invoices. Fake investors. A bank statement showing money moving to a new account-one under Marcus's name.

Her knees nearly buckled.

Marcus's Condo – That Night

Marcus came home to find Helen sitting in the dark.

"You lied to me," she said.

His eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"I know everything. The fake vendors. The wire transfers. You've been bleeding my business dry."

He tried to smile. "Helen, baby-"

"Don't call me that."

But his voice turned cold, and something in his eyes shifted. "You really think anyone's going to believe you? The hormonal, pregnant mess who gave me access to everything? I made your little boutique relevant."

Helen stood, tears burning. "Get out."

He leaned in, voice low. "You're nothing without me."

But then-

"She's not alone."

The voice came from the doorway.Gabriel.

He stepped inside, his presence like thunder after silence. "Get. Out."Gabriel saw Helen's protruding stomach,tears ran down his eyes as he thinks the baby belongs to another men.He felt that what Marcus told him was true.He wanted to go back but he thaught of talking to her about the whole truth.

Marcus froze. "This has nothing to do with you."

Gabriel's jaw clenched. "Everything about her has everything to do with me."

Marcus scoffed. "You think she wants you back?"

Helen didn't hesitate. She looked at Gabriel, tears running freely now.She could remember the fake picture that Marcus showed her.A picture of him that another woman.She have not yet known the truth.Out of hurt and bitterness of false betrayal she ordered both Marcus and Gabriel to leave her shop at once.

Scene: Boutique – Days Later

The police were involved. The money trail was being traced. Marcus had vanished, but Helen was safe.She walked through her boutique, now calm.

MARCUS RETURNS TO APOLOGIZE

Absolutely, here's a continuation of your story with emotional depth, suspense, and shifting loyalties:

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Scene: Helen's Boutique – One Week Later

The boutique was slowly recovering. Orders resumed, clients returned, and Helen's resolve hardened. But the betrayal still clung to her ribs like smoke. She hadn't seen Marcus since the confrontation. Until today.

He showed up with a bouquet of lilies and fake tears in his eyes.

"Helen," he choked, standing outside her boutique. "Please... just hear me out."

Against her better judgment, she did.

Inside, Marcus dropped to his knees. "I never meant to hurt you. I just- I was drowning. Loan sharks. Threats. I didn't know what else to do."

Helen stared at him, arms crossed, belly visibly larger now. "So you stole from me. Lied to me. Used my business-our child-as a shield."

"I was desperate," he whispered. "But I never stopped loving you. I'll pay everything back. I swear. Just... don't shut me out."