Chapter 5 Did I betray my sister

Amelia sat on the edge of her bed, both hands resting protectively on her stomach. The doctor's words from earlier that day kept replaying in her head like a haunting song.

"You're six weeks pregnant."

Her heart still throbbed with disbelief. Pregnant. And not just with anyone's child, but with Adrian's...her sister's fiancé.

A tear slipped down her cheek as she buried her face in her palms. How could she explain this? How could she destroy her sister's happiness? Serena deserved the world. She was beautiful, kind, and had always been the perfect daughter. And Amelia... Amelia had made the one mistake that could ruin everything.

She thought of Adrian...Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him. She hated him, but at the same time, her heart betrayed her.

This is wrong, she told herself again. This child should not exist. But it does.

Her phone buzzed suddenly, jolting her out of her thoughts. She picked it up and saw a text from Serena.

Serena: "Dinner tomorrow with Adrian and his parents. Don't be late."

Her stomach twisted. Dinner? With Adrian sitting right across from her, pretending like nothing happened? Could she even handle it? She wanted to throw her phone across the room, but instead, she typed back with shaky hands.

Amelia: "Of course. I'll be there."

She placed the phone down and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep didn't come easy that night. Every time she drifted off, she saw Adrian's face, felt his touch, and remembered the secret now growing inside her.

******

Amelia dressed carefully for dinner. She chose a simple black dress that flowed loosely, hoping it would hide the faint changes in her body. Her stomach wasn't showing yet, but she felt as though everyone would see the truth written on her face.

Downstairs, Serena was radiant, as always.and her smile was so bright it almost hurt Amelia to look at her.

"You look pale," Serena said, frowning a little. "Are you okay?"

Amelia forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just tired from work."

Serena reached over and squeezed her hand. "Don't push yourself too hard. I need you by my side when I become Mrs. Adrian Knight."

The words stabbed Amelia like a knife. Mrs. Adrian Knight. The title her sister would soon have. The man Amelia should never have touched.

They arrived at the luxurious Knight mansion for dinner. The grand dining hall glittered with chandeliers, silver cutlery, and polished marble floors. Adrian was already there, dressed in a sharp black suit that made him look even more intimidating. His dark eyes locked on Amelia the second she walked in.

Her breath caught. His gaze didn't soften. If anything, it hardened, as if he was silently reminding her that their secret bound them together now.

"Good evening," Adrian said politely, his voice steady but his eyes burning into Amelia's.

Serena rushed to his side and kissed his cheek, completely unaware of the storm between them. Adrian's parents greeted everyone warmly, and soon they all sat at the long dining table.

The meal was exquisite....but Amelia couldn't taste a thing. She kept her eyes on her plate, afraid that if she looked up, someone would see the truth written in her eyes.

But she could feel Adrian's stare on her. It was suffocating.

At one point, Serena leaned close to whisper to Amelia. "He's perfect, isn't he? I'm the luckiest woman alive."

Amelia's chest tightened so hard she thought she might choke. She forced a nod and smiled, but inside she was screaming.

When dessert was finally served, Adrian excused himself to step outside for air. Amelia tried to ignore him, but when her phone buzzed in her lap, her heart skipped a beat.

Adrian: "Meet me outside. Now."

Her hands shook. She glanced at Serena, who was busy chatting with Adrian's mother, then quietly slipped away.

Outside in the garden, the night was cool and fragrant with roses. Adrian stood beneath the moonlight, his tall figure casting a long shadow.

The moment Amelia approached, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.

"You've been avoiding me," he said in a low, harsh tone.

Amelia yanked her hand back. "What do you expect, Adrian? Pretend nothing happened? Pretend we didn't make the biggest mistake of our lives?"

His jaw clenched. "A mistake? Is that what you call it?"

"Yes!" she snapped, though her voice trembled. "You belong to my sister, Adrian. Whatever happened between us... it can't happen again. so can you just make me comfortable!,stop staring at me adrain

His eyes darkened. He stepped closer, so close that she could feel his breath against her skin. "You think you can just erase that night? You think I can forget the way you looked at me, the way you trembled under my touch? Don't lie to yourself, Amelia. You feel it too."

Her heart raced, but she forced herself to look him in the eye. "Stop it. Just stop. I'm not like Serena. I don't want your world, your power, or your games. Stay away from me."

For a moment, silence hung between them, heavy and dangerous. Then Adrian's gaze dropped...slowly...down to her stomach.

Amelia froze. Had he noticed? Could he already tell?

His voice dropped even lower, almost a whisper. "You're hiding something."

Amelia's blood ran cold. She shook her head quickly. "You're imagining things. I have nothing to hide."

But his sharp eyes searched her face, and she knew he wasn't convinced.

"You can't lie to me," Adrian said firmly. "Whatever secret you're keeping, Amelia... I'll find out."

Before she could reply, Serena's cheerful voice called from inside. "Amelia! Where are you?"

Amelia stepped back quickly, her chest heaving. Adrian's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, then he turned and walked away, leaving her trembling in the moonlit garden.

She pressed a hand over her stomach, her mind spinning.

How much longer could she keep this secret?

How much longer until Adrian...and Serena...discovered the truth?