Chapter 4 Pet Snake

Devin Tucker slung an arm casually around the woman's shoulders, his grin playful as he tried to ease her nerves. "Come on now-this is Caleb's prized pet. Don't look so terrified."

The sleek white snake coiled lazily, its size unthreatening and almost charming if one took a good look.

Even so, the woman's complexion drained to a ghostly pale.

Her earlier fascination with Caleb twisted into fear, leaving her frozen in place.

Devin murmured a few reassuring words, then flashed her a good-natured smile. "Don't freak out. It's just a harmless little pet. Caleb was only messing with you. But seriously-best keep some distance from him these days. He's about to be a dad. I heard his fiancee's expecting, and his family has brought her home."

Word of this had already raced through their entire social circle.

The Reynolds family was known for its small numbers-so much so that Jolie had once adopted twins just to ensure Caleb wouldn't grow up alone.

No one could have predicted that fate would send Lilliana into their lives, and now she was carrying Caleb's children.

Mary, brimming with pride, made no effort to hide the news and relished telling anyone who would listen.

The moment Devin's words fell, Caleb's gaze sharpened, an icy glint flashing in his eyes.

"My fiancee?" His voice carried a dangerous bite. He shot Devin a sidelong glance and let out a derisive scoff. "Since when did I propose?"

Devin rubbed the bridge of his nose, clearly uncomfortable, before forcing a grin and slapping the table to change the subject. "Forget that-what matters is Caleb's about to have two kids! This is massive-it marks the start of a whole new chapter! Shouldn't we toast to it?"

The room buzzed as Devin flung bills into the air, his boisterous act riling up cheers as though he himself were the expectant father.

Then, emboldened by too much liquor, someone blurted out the question on everyone's mind. "So, does this mean you're finally settling down, Caleb? Or are you still going to spend time with us the way you used to?"

Every head turned toward Caleb. He rolled the glass between his fingers, his gaze languid yet edged with a touch of menace.

With a slow drawl, he remarked, "I might be getting married, but no one's about to start pulling my strings."

Devin barked out a laugh and slapped the table so hard the glasses rattled. "That's right! Even if he's a husband, Caleb's never going to be the soft, kid-obsessed dad type!"

Before anyone could add more, Caleb's phone lit up on the table.

"The doctor mentioned it's important for the father to be involved in prenatal bonding. Mr. Reynolds, are you free at the moment?"

Prenatal bonding?

He flipped his lighter open and shut, a low chuckle slipping from his throat.

That was gutsy as hell.

They weren't even married yet, and she already had the nerve to summon him home for some sentimental bonding session.

In his mind, he was already super kind to let those children live.

...

Once the message was sent, Lilliana lingered awake until the clock crept past midnight, but Caleb still didn't come home.

Pregnancy fatigue eventually won, and her eyelids drifted shut.

In the silent hours of night, something cold slid across her skin, sharp and clammy like a strand of ice.

A shiver ran through her, making her curl instinctively under the blanket.

Her lashes trembled before she cracked her eyes open-only to be met by the pale glint of a white snake's scales, its forked scarlet tongue flicking in the dim light.

Her heartbeat spiked, and she clutched the sheets, fighting to choke back the scream clawing up her throat.

Her breath evened out after a few seconds, the panic ebbing from her face.

Coiled nearby with slow, deliberate ease was Poseidon-Caleb's pet snake.

Biting her lip, she forced herself to calm down.

A sharp click broke the silence as the room lights flared to life.

Caleb strode in, unhurried, and tilted her chin up with two fingers, his dark eyes tracing her pale, tense face with a trace of amusement.

His voice was cool and rough with fatigue, yet a faint laugh escaped him. "Does this kind of prenatal bonding satisfy you?"

Lilliana's heart thudded painfully against her ribs, blood draining from her face.

If not for the years before her death that had hardened her to the sight of Poseidon, she might've collapsed the moment she laid eyes on it.

Caleb seemed to catch the thought flickering in her eyes. He brushed his thumb across her lips, a dangerous glint flashing in his gaze.

"Behave." As he bent closer, his expression softened deceptively, though his tone carried a quiet, menacing weight. "Stick to your role and make sure those babies come into this world. Don't even think about playing games with me."