Chapter 4 FOUR

{Zayn's POV}

Fatherhood. The one thing I have always despised-right alongside love, marriage, and relationships. I loathe all of it with every fiber of my being.

I'm not ready. Not even close. I've built a fortress around myself, brick by brick, to avoid things like this. And now Mara... she's threatening to tear it all down.

My expression tightened, a swirling mix of disbelief and fury. I could feel the storm rising inside me as I paced the room like a lion in a cage. Mara stood still, her posture stiff, yet her eyes never left mine.

I stopped in front of her, close enough to feel the tension in the air.

"Do you have any idea what you've gotten me into?" I demanded, my voice sharp and unforgiving.

"It's not my fault alone," she shot back, her voice clipped. "We were both drunk, Zayn."

The mention of that night ignited something inside me. My eyes flared, filled with a frustration I could barely contain.

"Mr. Norman, you have nothing to worry about. I'll take care of my baby by myself," she added, trying to sound confident.

"So you want me to let you walk away and ruin everything I've worked for? To let you stain my reputation?" I muttered, more to myself than to her.

Mara bit her lip. I could see her vision wavering, her face pale. She looked weak, almost dizzy. She probably hadn't eaten. And despite myself, I noticed that. I noticed... she looked like a mother.

"Once the DNA result is here, we'll decide," I said, backing off slightly. "Until then, you can stay and care for her."

She blinked, surprised by my sudden shift.

I stared at her again.

"How old is the baby?" I asked sharply.

"A month and three days," she answered nervously.

I nodded slowly, calculating.

"It's not too late to walk away, Mara. If that child isn't mine..." I leaned in, my voice turning cold, "I swear to you, I'll ruin you. I'll make sure you regret ever stepping into my life."

She didn't flinch. Instead, she squared her shoulders and stared right back at me.

"And if she is yours, you'll give me my job back-and you'll step up as a father to Jewel," she bargained, her voice unwavering.

I said nothing. Just turned.

"Delilah," I called.

She approached quickly, professional as ever.

"Take her to the guest room. Make sure she's comfortable," I instructed before walking off.

Delilah looked at me with surprise-she knew how much I hated women staying in my house, let alone bringing a baby into it. But I didn't stop to explain. I didn't owe anyone an explanation.

---

{Guest House – Later}

I found Jack sitting in the guesthouse alone, legs crossed, a drink in hand. His face was expressionless, but I knew him well enough to see the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

"She's allegedly my baby mama," I muttered, arms folded. "Don't overthink it."

He didn't even look at me. Just sipped his drink.

"Until the result comes in, I won't believe that baby is mine. Who drops a child on someone's doorstep and demands responsibility?"

Jack shook his head and stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"The real problem isn't Mara, or the baby. It's you," he said flatly. "You're scared to be a father. The fact that you remember sleeping with her while drunk says a lot, Zayn. You're just avoiding the truth."

I clenched my jaw, my smirk hiding the panic I felt.

Jack's eyes softened, but his words cut deep.

"You've always told me how your dad abandoned you and your mom. Are you really going to do the same thing to your own child?"

I said nothing.

The silence between us became a wall, thick and suffocating.

He continued, more gently now.

"Maybe she had no choice. Maybe she needed help and thought the only way was to drop the baby where she'd be safe. Maybe, despite everything, she hoped you'd care."

I wanted to deny it. To shout that I wasn't that kind of man. But nothing came out. The words stuck in my throat.

"You think she's forcing this on you? No. I think she's giving you a chance to do the one thing your father never did-be there."

With that, Jack walked out, leaving me standing alone, grappling with truths I'd buried for years.

---

{Naomi's POV}

I dialed Mara's number again-still no response. My chest tightened with guilt. Maybe it was time I told her the truth... but it was risky.

No. I couldn't. Not now. Maybe never.

Having her close makes me forget every pain in my life. Losing her would be like losing the one thing that kept me alive.

But what if Zayn finds out Mara isn't the mother... that her sister is?

My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. It was Mara.

"You finally decided to call," I said quickly.

"Listen, Naomi. I want you to trace Zayn's DNA report. Make sure he doesn't tamper with it-I know him too well," she rushed her words.

"Rest assured, I will." I hung up and pulled out my desktop.

Then-Ding-dong. The doorbell rang.

"Come in!" I shouted, frustrated.

Three hefty men walked in. My heart sank. My fingers gripped the edge of the desk.

They laughed. That low, eerie laugh that made my skin crawl.

"Can I... help you?" I stammered.

They didn't answer. One of them tossed a sachet on the table-drugs.

"We brought your favorite," he smirked.

"I don't want it. Get out!" I spat.

Two of them lunged at me, grabbing me by the arms.

"You can't escape the Dons. You face the consequences," the third man said, mixing the powder.

I thrashed. Screamed.

But it was no use. They forced it to my nose. I struggled-wriggled-but the moment the powder filled my lungs, my world tilted.

My body trembled. Then... everything faded.

"Don't... do this..." I whispered, before darkness swallowed me.

---

{Jack's POV}

It was late. I sat in the cellar, drowning myself in liquor, watching my emotions die one sip at a time.

Mara. She was no longer just someone I loved-she was now linked to my best friend.

And I hated it.

I tilted the bottle, taking another long swig.

Then-she walked in. Uninvited.

She yanked the bottle from my hands and glared at me.

"Will you stop this madness? Drinking won't solve anything. It won't change how I feel!" she shouted.

I stumbled to my feet.

"Madness?" I laughed bitterly. The stench of alcohol wafted from my mouth.

"You should've told me you were pregnant," I said quietly, my eyes wet.

"Jack, please. Don't make me feel worse. I said no to your proposal because it wouldn't be right. Not because I didn't care."

I stared at her. She was beautiful. Too beautiful to be standing in front of a wreck like me. But I couldn't stop loving her. I didn't want to stop.

"You should be with your friend, not here with me," she whispered.

"Swear it," I said, suddenly serious. "Swear you feel nothing for me."

She hesitated.

"I swear. I feel nothing for you. And..."

Before she could finish, I grabbed her and crushed my lips to hers.

A gasp escaped her. And at that very moment...

Zayn stood at the door.

Hands in his pockets. Eyes unreadable. Cold. Silent.