Pregnant for a billionaire

I heaved a heavy sigh of relief, dropping the makeup brush on my vanity, my eyes fixed on my now-made-up face in the mirror. Ethan was finally back, and I was going to see him after his six-month trip to the Madeiras. Even though I planned to confront him about the rumors, I was still happy to be seeing him.

My heart sank as I descended the stairs and saw my wicked stepmother, Mrs. Tamela, seated in the living room, fully absorbed in the blaring TV. I slowed my steps and tried to tiptoe, but she turned her head, and her gaze immediately met mine. I stopped in my tracks.

"Where do you think you're going at this time of day in that dress?" she blurted, my pulse racing.

"Out, as you can clearly see," I replied, feigning confidence while trembling inside.

She always acted this way. The sight of her questioning me always got on my nerves. I wondered how my dad put up with her nonsense.

"Look, whatever and wherever I go is none of your business. Leave me be, you wicked witch," I bellowed. She didn't take it lightly.

She stormed up and neared me very fast.

"Watch your tone, you repulsive swine. Are you nuts? Who do you think you're talking to?"

The resounding slap reverberated through my cheek. I tried to ignore her and leave, but she gripped my hair.

"Where do you think you're going?" she repeated.

Even though it would hurt, I didn't mind. If I needed to see Ethan, I needed to escape from this home wrecker. With an aggressive pull, I escaped her hold, her fingers grazing my strands badly, and it stung. I ran as fast as I could and hailed a taxi.

Inside Ethan's mansion, I dialed his number multiple times, but he didn't answer. I went in without knocking, heading straight for his bedroom. Ethan always brought me to his house, so I was familiar with it.

"Babes?" I called out three times, still striding, but got no answer. As I neared his room, I noticed the door was slightly ajar, confirming he was probably in there, as mumbles accompanied it. Maybe he was on a phone call or something. I mused and opened the door, my eyes immediately piercing directly to the bathroom entrance.

There stood a lady, leaned in very close to him, whispering in his ear. I assumed it was nothing, trying to ease the tension gripping my spine. As I drew closer, he kissed her pouted lips. My heart sank, and my legs felt like jelly. Ethan opened his eyes and they met mine, which were wide with shock. She turned to face me, and my heart sank even further. I couldn't believe what I was seeing - it felt like a nightmare. The girl he had been cheating on me with was my own stepsister, Taylor.

"Ethan, tell me this is just a hallucination," I said, my voice low and laced with hurt and exhaustion, as I approached them.

He had walked out of the bathroom entrance and was now seated on his bed.

"Tell me it's not real," I pleaded.

He glared into my eyes with disdain, his expression twisted in anger, before exhaling a frustrated sigh.

"Do you hear that sound, Ethan? It sounds like a rat choking," Taylor mocked my sobbing, glancing around the room, pretending I was invisible.

"Ah, found it!" she exclaimed, her eyes locking onto mine as she folded her arms, a smirk still plastered on her face.

I ignored her and faced Ethan, my voice trembling with hurt. "How could you, Ethan? After all these years, after everything I've done for you, is this how you repay me? Is this how you say thank you?" I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back tears.

Ethan remained silent, and I continued, my emotions pouring out. "Is this how you decide to dump me? Come on, Ethan, you know I love you."

But he cut me off, his voice cold and detached. "Enough! If only you had called, you wouldn't have broken your own heart."

"Really? Was that all he could say? What happened to 'I'm sorry' or 'I got bored because you weren't with me all the time'?"

I could understand that, but with my stepsister? It was too much.

"Didn't you see the clues all this while? Are you dumb, Emma? Goddamn it, I even made fake accounts just to trip you up."

His words hurt me; I never knew Ethan could be this cruel. He even fabricated those cheating texts and pictures against himself. I couldn't breathe properly.

He pulled Taylor closer and added, "I've found my match, Emma. Move on already. We're done; get that into your head."

Taylor, with a smirk playing on her lips, kissed him right in front of me, "Go to hell." She spat emphatically.

And I couldn't take it anymore.

I fled the house, running from the scene. I ran and cried so much that I didn't even realize I was sprinting down the middle of the freeway, oblivious to the blaring horns and screeching tires as cars swerved to avoid me. I turned around, and my heart sank at the sight of the countless cars speeding towards me.

Just as I thought all was lost, I heard a loud bang on a taxi door and someone came running towards me. I looked back, and my eyes locked onto a familiar face.

"Emma?" she called out, running towards me. It was Cassie, my childhood friend. Tears stung my eyes as I turned and gave her a hug. My mind was racing, and I didn't know where to go. I just needed to get away. I told her what Ethan did to me.

"That's men for you, Emma!" she briskly replied. "Calm down and let's take a walk to my apartment. Night will soon fall."

I followed her, her apartment well-furnished and properly organized, really attractive to the eyes.

"So what do you feel like taking?" Cassie asked me calmly.

"I don't think I can eat anything right now. I'm too disappointed," I said pathetically.

"But I know somewhere that will purge your sorrow," she encouraged me. "Follow my lead."

We ended up at a hotel club, a bit far from Cassie's street. It was the only place I felt I could clear my sorrow away and lose myself for a while. We ordered drink after drink, trying to drown out the pain.

The bar was dimly lit, with a cozy atmosphere that did little to lift my spirits. I sipped on my third cocktail, feeling the alcohol start to numb the pain. As I sat there, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I glanced around and noticed a man at the far end of the bar staring intently.

"Why is he staring at me?" I muttered to Cassie.

"Maybe he finds you attractive," she replied, trying to lighten my mood.

"Attractive? In this state?" I scoffed, taking another sip of my drink.

The man finally made his move, walking over with a confident stride. He was tall, with a muscular build and a handsome face that exuded charm. His eyes were sharp, and his presence commanded attention.

"Hi," he said, his voice smooth and deep. "Mind if I join you?"

"Actually, yes," I replied curtly, not in the mood for company, especially from a stranger.

Cassie nudged me. "Come on, Emma, maybe he just wants to chat."

I sighed, conceding. "Fine, but make it quick."

The man smiled, pulling up a chair. "I'm Ethan," he introduced himself. "And you are?"

"Emma," I replied flatly, not interested in small talk.

"Nice to meet you, Emma," Ethan said, his gaze lingering on me. "You look like you could use some cheering up."

"Not really," I replied, trying to dismiss him.

Before he could say anything else, Cassie's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and her face turned pale.

"I have to go," she said, standing up abruptly. "My parents were in a car accident."

My heart sank. "Do you need me to come with you?"

"No, no, it's fine. Stay here and relax. I'll call you later," she assured me, rushing out of the bar.

I was now alone with Ethan. The alcohol was hitting me harder, making my head spin with the loud hotel music. Ethan took advantage of the situation, his charm becoming more apparent.

"Looks like it's just us now," he said, moving closer. "How about we get out of here and find somewhere quieter?"

I was too drunk to resist, and before I knew it, Ethan was leading me to a private suite in the club. The room was luxurious, with a large bed and dim lighting. He poured me another drink, and I downed it without thinking.

Everything became a blur. I remembered Ethan's hands on me, his lips, and then darkness.

I woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and a wave of nausea. Looking around the unfamiliar room, panic surged as I pieced together the hazy memories of last night. Ethan's advances and my inability to resist due to my drunken state replayed in my mind.

Sitting up in bed, clutching the sheets around me, I noticed my clothes strewn across the floor. Ethan was nowhere to be seen. A sense of violation and shame overwhelmed me, and tears welled up in my eyes.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was a text from Cassie.

"Emma, my parents are stable now. I'm sorry I had to leave you. Are you okay?"

I quickly typed a response, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I'm okay, Cassie. Just a bit shaken. I'll talk to you later."

As I put my phone down, the door to the suite opened. Ethan walked in, looking freshly showered and casual.

"Good morning," he said with a smirk, as if nothing unusual had happened.

I glared at him, my anger boiling over. "What happened last night?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You don't remember? We had a good time."

"A good time?" I repeated, incredulous. "I was drunk and vulnerable, and you took advantage of me."

Ethan shrugged. "You didn't seem to mind at the time. Besides, it was just a one-night thing. No need to get all worked up."

His callous attitude only fueled my rage. "You think you can just use people and discard them like they're nothing?"

Ethan's expression hardened. "Watch your tone, Emma. You came with me willingly."

I grabbed my clothes off the floor, my hands shaking. "This isn't over, Ethan. You can't treat people this way."

He laughed coldly. "We'll see about that."

I dressed as quickly as I could and stormed out of the suite, my mind reeling. I needed to get away from him and figure out what to do next. As I exited the club, the morning sun was just starting to rise. I hailed a taxi and gave the driver Cassie's address, my heart heavy with shame, anger, and confusion.

When I arrived at Cassie's apartment, she opened the door, her face filled with concern. "Emma, what happened?"

I broke down, the tears finally spilling over. "Cassie, I... I think I made a terrible mistake."

She pulled me into a comforting hug. "It's okay, Emma. We'll figure it out together."

---

I spent the next few days at Cassie's place, trying to come to terms with what had happened. I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and that my life was spiraling out of control. My mind kept replaying the events of that night, and I felt sick every time I thought about it.

While Cassie was out running errands, I received an unexpected visitor. It was Tamela, my stepmother. She barged into Cassie's apartment, her face a mask of fury.

"Emma, what have you done?" she demanded, her voice dripping with disdain.

I stared at her, bewildered. "What are you talking about?"

She thrust a tabloid newspaper at me, the headline screaming about my drunken night with Ethan Allen. There were photos of us entering the club, leaving together, and even one of me looking disheveled the next morning.

My stomach churned. "How did they get these?"

Tamela sneered. "Do you have any idea what you've done to this family's reputation? This is a scandal!"

I felt a wave of panic. "I didn't ask for this. It just happened."

"Well, it better unhappen," she snapped. "Ethan Allen is a powerful man, and he won't let this slide. You need to fix this, Emma."

I was at a loss for words. How was I supposed to fix something that was already so broken? But I knew one thing-I needed to confront Ethan and demand he take responsibility for his actions.

---

The next day, I went to Meadow Textile Ltd., Ethan's company. I managed to get past the receptionist and made my way to his office. When I burst in, Ethan looked up, clearly surprised to see me.

"Emma, what are you doing here?" he asked, his tone wary.

I threw the tabloid on his desk. "Explain this, Ethan. How did these pictures get out?"

He glanced at the newspaper, then back at me. "I have no idea. I didn't leak them."

"Well, someone did," I shot back. "And now my life is a mess because of you."

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Look, Emma, I didn't mean for this to happen. But it's done now. What do you want me to do about it?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "You need to take responsibility. This isn't just about a one-night stand. There's more at stake here."

He studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Fine. I'll see what I can do to control the damage. But you need to understand something, Emma. This changes nothing between us. You're still nothing to me."

His words stung, but I held my ground. "I don't care about us, Ethan. I care about making things right."

As I left his office, I felt a small sense of relief. It wasn't much, but it was a start. I knew the road ahead would be difficult, but I was determined to take control of my life and not let Ethan or anyone else dictate my fate.

---

Two weeks later, a series of articles began circulating, painting a very different picture of Ethan Allen. Anonymous sources revealed his history of exploiting women, and the media frenzy turned against him. The tide had shifted, and public opinion was no longer in his favor. Ethan's reputation was in tatters, and Meadow Textile Ltd. faced severe backlash.

Tessa paced back and forth in her luxurious penthouse, her anger boiling. She had just received a report from her bodyguard and spies about Ethan's scandalous night with a stranger. She could hardly believe her ears when they told her about the tabloids and the pictures. Her fists clenched tightly, and her eyes blazed with fury.

"How dare he!" Tessa screamed, throwing a vase against the wall, shattering it into pieces. The loud crash did nothing to soothe her rage.

Her bodyguard, Marco, stood at a safe distance, wary of her wrath. "Miss Tessa, perhaps you should talk to Mr. Allen before making any decisions," he suggested carefully.

Tessa whirled around to face him, her face twisted with anger. "Talk? You think I should talk to him? After he humiliated me like this?" she spat. "I won't let him get away with it. I need to find that girl."

Marco nodded. "We'll find her, Miss Tessa. But first, let's deal with Mr. Allen."

Tessa stormed out of her penthouse, heading straight for Ethan's office. She didn't bother with pleasantries, barging in and slamming the door behind her.

"Ethan!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the large room.

Ethan looked up from his desk, his expression turning from surprise to annoyance. "Tessa, what the hell are you doing here?"

She marched over to his desk, slamming the tabloid down in front of him. "Explain this!" she demanded.

Ethan glanced at the tabloid and sighed. "It's nothing, Tessa. Just a one-night thing. It doesn't mean anything."

"Nothing?" she seethed. "You think this is nothing? You humiliate me, and you say it's nothing?"

Ethan stood up, trying to stay calm. "Tessa, calm down. You're overreacting."

"Overreacting? You cheated on me, Ethan! You embarrassed me in front of the whole world!" Tessa's voice was rising with every word. "Who is she? Who's the girl?"

Ethan hesitated. "It doesn't matter. She's nobody."

Tessa's eyes narrowed. "I'll find out who she is. And when I do, she'll regret ever crossing me."

Without another word, Tessa turned on her heel and stormed out of the office, leaving Ethan to deal with the fallout of his actions.

---

Meanwhile, back at Emma's house, the tension was rising. Emma had just returned home when she saw her stepsister, Taylor, lounging on the couch with a smug look on her face.

"You're home early," Taylor remarked, not bothering to hide her disdain.

Emma ignored her and started to head upstairs, but Taylor wasn't done. "Heard about your little scandal. Must be tough being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons."

Emma stopped in her tracks, turning to face Taylor. "What do you want, Taylor?"

Taylor stood up, sauntering over to Emma. "Just enjoying the show. You always thought you were so much better than me. Well, look at you now. A pathetic mess."

Emma's patience snapped. "Shut up, Taylor. You have no idea what I'm going through."

Taylor laughed. "Oh, I know. And I love it."

Without thinking, Emma shoved Taylor hard. Taylor stumbled back, losing her balance and hitting her head on the corner of the coffee table. She cried out in pain, clutching her head as blood started to trickle down her forehead.

Emma's eyes widened in horror. "Taylor! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-"

Just then, Tamela came rushing in from the kitchen, her face filled with rage. "What on earth is going on here?"

Emma stammered, "I-I didn't mean to-"

Tamela knelt beside Taylor, examining the wound. "You're in big trouble, young lady. How dare you hurt your sister?"

Emma felt tears welling up. "It was an accident. She provoked me."

Tamela stood up, her face stern. "I don't care what she said. You don't put your hands on family. You're grounded, Emma. No going out, no friends over. You stay in your room and think about what you've done."

Emma's heart sank. "But-"

"No buts!" Tamela snapped. "Go to your room, now!"

Emma entered her room and slammed the door shut. She leaned against it, taking deep breaths to calm herself. The weight of everything that had happened crushed her chest, making it hard to breathe. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of anger, regret, and fear.

Downstairs, Tamela was tending to Taylor's wound, her face tight with concern. "Let's get you to the hospital," she said, helping Taylor to her feet. "We need to make sure this cut isn't too deep."

Taylor winced but couldn't hide the triumphant look in her eyes. "She'll pay for this, Mom. She always thinks she can get away with everything."

Tamela sighed, shaking her head. "We'll deal with Emma later. Right now, we need to get you checked out."

They headed out the door, leaving the house in an uneasy silence. Emma sat on her bed, staring at her hands. She replayed the moment in her head, wondering how things had gotten so out of control. She knew Taylor had provoked her, but she couldn't shake the guilt.

Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. A message from Cassie popped up on the screen.

Cassie: "Hey, heard about what happened. You okay?"

Emma hesitated before typing a reply.

Emma: "Not really. It's a mess. I pushed Taylor, and she got hurt. I'm grounded."

Cassie: "Wow. That's intense. Want me to come over?"

Emma: "I can't have anyone over. I'm stuck here."

Cassie: "That sucks. If you need to talk, I'm here."

Emma: "Thanks, Cassie. I might need to vent later."

Emma put her phone down, feeling slightly better, knowing Cassie was always there for her. She lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to figure out how to make things right. She knew she needed to apologize to Taylor, but she also needed to confront the bigger issue: her relationship with her stepmother and stepsister. It had always been strained, and this incident had pushed it to the breaking point.

Hours passed, and Emma drifted in and out of a restless sleep. She was jolted awake by the sound of the front door opening. She could hear Tamela and Taylor talking downstairs, their voices hushed but tense. She knew she had to face them sooner or later.

Gathering her courage, Emma slowly made her way downstairs. As she entered the living room, she saw Taylor on the couch, a bandage on her forehead. Tamela stood nearby, her arms crossed and a stern look on her face.

"Emma," Tamela said, her voice cold. "We need to talk."

Emma nodded, taking a seat across from Taylor. She couldn't meet her stepmother's eyes.

"Taylor's injury isn't severe, but it could have been much worse," Tamela continued. "I don't know what's gotten into you, but this behavior is unacceptable."

Emma swallowed hard. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt her."

"Sorry doesn't cut it," Taylor snapped. "You always act like you're better than us. This time, you went too far."

Emma felt a surge of anger but forced it down. "I know. I messed up. I'm really sorry, Taylor."

Tamela sighed. "This family has enough problems already. We don't need you tearing us apart."

Emma nodded with disdain.

Tamela looked at her for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright. you're still grounded. But I expect you to make an effort in apologizing to Taylor every day until she forgives you."

Emma's heart sank, but she nodded. "Okay."

Taylor smirked. "Looks like you'll be apologizing for a long time."

Emma bit her tongue, refusing to rise to the bait. She knew this was going to be a tough road, but she was determined to make amends. As she headed back to her room, she resolved to find a way to repair her broken family and prove to her stepmother and stepsister that they could overcome their differences.

---

Across the town, Tessa was deep in conversation with a private investigator she had hired to find Emma. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this girl than met the eye.

"We'll find her, Miss Tessa," the investigator assured her. "It's only a matter of time."

Tessa nodded, her mind racing with plans. "Good. I want her found, and I want her to pay for what she's done."

As she watched the investigator leave, a cold determination settled over her. This wasn't just about Ethan anymore. It was about reclaiming her pride and ensuring that no one ever dared to cross her again.

Chapter 4

Ethan's footsteps echoed through the deserted alley as he approached the old warehouse. The darkness enveloped him, and the cold air whispered secrets of the past. He paused at the rusted metal door, feeling the weight of memories pressing down on him. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open, and it creaked in protest.

Inside, the warehouse was a forgotten relic, covered with dust motes dancing in the faint light. Ethan moved cautiously, his senses heightened, every creak and groan of the ancient structure setting his nerves on edge.

"Ethan," a voice hissed from the darkness, freezing him in his tracks. It was a voice he hadn't heard in years, yet it still held the power to chill his blood.

Damian emerged from the shadows, his face illuminated by a flickering light bulb. His smile was a mask of malice, his eyes cold and calculating. "Long time no see, old friend," he sneered.

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Damian," he acknowledged, his voice betraying none of the turmoil he felt inside.

"I see you've decided to join me after all," Damian said, spreading his arms wide. "It's been too long."

Ethan took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "This ends tonight, Damian."

Damian laughed, a harsh, grating sound that echoed through the empty warehouse. "You think you can just walk in here and stop me? You've always been so naive, Ethan."

Memories of their childhood flashed through Ethan's mind. They had once been inseparable, best friends navigating the complexities of adolescence together. But everything had changed one fateful summer day.

---

They were twelve years old, playing in the neighborhood park under a blazing sun. A group of older boys decided to start trouble, and while Ethan tried to calm things down, Damian fought back with a ferocity that shocked everyone. The fight ended with one of the boys being killed, and Damian lied and told the police it was Ethan who was responsible for the murder. Ethan was immediately taken away by the police.

After that, Ethan's life took a dark turn. He became embittered and angry, blaming Damian for his fabricated lies. Their friendship fractured, and Ethan spiraled into a life of crime. But Ethan's father's wealth and power buried the fabricated murder case, leaving scars that never healed.

---

"Yes, Damian. This is your fault," Ethan said, his voice steady but his heart pounding. "You fabricated everything. You didn't have to."

Damian's eyes darkened. "You always were the righteous one, weren't you? Always trying to save everyone. But you couldn't save yourself."

Ethan stepped closer, his eyes locked onto Damian's. "I'm not here to reminisce. I'm here to stop you."

Damian's lips curled into a sinister smile. "You're too late, Ethan. Much too late."

Suddenly, the warehouse echoed with the sound of footsteps. Figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding Ethan. Damian's men, a silent army ready to do his bidding.

"Welcome to my world," Damian said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "You're right where I want you."

Ethan's mind raced. He had to think fast, find a way out. He glanced around, taking in his surroundings, looking for anything that could give him an edge.

"You won't get away with this," he said, his voice filled with defiance.

Damian stepped back, a smug grin on his face. "Oh, but I already have."

As Damian's men closed in, Ethan's heart pounded in his chest. He had to stay calm, find a way to escape. The walls seemed to close in around him, the darkness pressing down.

Then, an idea sparked in his mind. He scanned the room again, this time noticing the rickety scaffolding above. If he could just get up there...

With a sudden burst of energy, Ethan made his move. He dodged the first man, grabbing a loose pipe from the floor and swinging it in a wide arc. The man went down with a grunt, and Ethan took off, sprinting towards the scaffolding.

He climbed quickly, the metal structure groaning under his weight. Below, Damian's men shouted and scrambled to follow. Ethan reached the top and looked around frantically. There, in the corner, a skylight.

Without hesitation, he ran across the precarious beams, the scaffolding swaying dangerously. He could hear Damian's men clambering up behind him. Reaching the skylight, he smashed it open with the pipe and hoisted himself through.

The cold night air hit his face as he climbed onto the roof. He glanced back to see Damian's furious face in the broken skylight, shouting orders. Ethan didn't wait. He ran across the roof, leaping to the adjacent building.

He landed hard, rolling to absorb the impact. Pain shot through his side, but he pushed it aside, scrambling to his feet and continuing to run. He could hear Damian's men behind him, but he didn't look back.

He knew the city well, its twists and turns, its hidden alleys and dead ends. He led them on a wild chase, darting through narrow passageways and over fences, until he finally lost them in the maze of streets.

Breathing hard, he leaned against a wall, his heart racing. He had escaped, but he knew this was far from over. Damian was more dangerous than ever, and this was just the beginning.