Thomas descended the stairs to his office, holding the notes as he reflected. He recognized the cruelty in those words because, deep down, he knew it was something he himself might have used against an enemy. But Sarah was not his enemy.
The next morning, over breakfast, Thomas broke the silence. Why didn’t you tell me about this? he asked, placing the notes on the table. Sarah froze, her face flushing with both shame and indignation.
Because it’s none of your business, she replied, reaching for the papers. He caught her hand, stopping her. It is my business.
You’re my wife, Sarah. This affects me too. It’s not a real marriage, remember? she shot back, her voice heavy with emotion.
Why would you care? Thomas hesitated. He didn’t have a simple answer. He didn’t know why he cared.
But the thought of someone attacking Sarah left him unsettled. I’m not going to let anyone treat you like this, he said finally, no matter what you think about us. She looked at him, surprised by the intensity in his voice.
For the first time, Sarah felt that perhaps Thomas was beginning to see her as more than just a piece on the chessboard. A few days later, at another social event, tensions came to a head. Rebecca, as usual, seized the opportunity to take jabs at Sarah, making comments about her background in front of other guests.
It’s admirable how well you’ve adapted to this world, Sarah, Rebecca said with a sweet smile. I, personally, would find it intimidating. Before Sarah could respond, Thomas stepped in.
He put his arm around Sarah and fixed Rebecca with an icy stare. You’re right, Rebecca. It is intimidating.
But Sarah is stronger than anyone here. Stronger than you ever were. The room fell silent.
No one had expected Thomas, known for his cold demeanor, to defend Sarah so publicly and directly. Rebecca was speechless, her confidence shaken by Thomas’s firm words. Sarah, on the other hand, felt a mix of relief and confusion.
While she knew Thomas was still a calculating man, this moment felt different. He wasn’t just protecting his image, he was defending her. That night, as they returned home, Sarah thanked Thomas.
You didn’t have to do that. Yes, I did, he replied, looking her in the eyes. I won’t allow anyone to disrespect you.
She felt the warmth in his words, but she wasn’t sure if she could fully trust him. Even so, something was changing. Both of them knew it, but neither was ready to admit it.
The game Thomas had started was beginning to slip out of his control, and he wasn’t sure if he was ready to face the consequences. Sarah was sitting on the small sofa in the bedroom she occupied in the mansion, staring at the result of the pregnancy test in her hands. The two pink lines seemed to scream at her.
Her breath caught in her throat as her mind struggled to process what it meant. Pregnant. She squeezed her eyes shut, as if that could change the reality.
A mix of emotions overwhelmed her. Fear. Uncertainty.
But also a flicker of happiness she hadn’t expected to feel. Ever since agreeing to marry Thomas, her life had been a roller coaster of challenges. A child was the last thing she had imagined or wanted at this moment, especially given the circumstances of her life.
For hours, Sarah debated how to tell Thomas. He was a calculating man, obsessed with control. What would he think upon learning he was about to become a father? She feared he would see the pregnancy as an inconvenience, or worse, as an attempt to trap him in a relationship that, from the start, had been nothing more than a contract.
Later that day, Thomas returned to the mansion after a long meeting. He found Sarah in the garden, sitting on a wooden bench under the shade of a tree. Her face was pale, and there was something different in her eyes.
«‘Is everything okay?’ he asked, noticing her unusual demeanor. Sarah hesitated. She wasn’t sure how to approach the subject.
«‘We need to talk,’ she finally said, looking up at him. «‘This sounds serious,’ he replied, his expression growing more rigid. She took a deep breath, summoning courage.
«‘I—I’m pregnant.’ The impact of those words was immediate. For a moment, Thomas said nothing, as if the information was hard to process. His face became a mask of conflicting emotions—surprise, doubt, fear, and something else he couldn’t name.
«‘Are you sure?’ he asked, his voice quieter than usual. «‘I am,’ Sarah replied, crossing her arms as though shielding herself. The silence that followed was unbearable for her.
Thomas began pacing back and forth, his mind racing. He had always prided himself on planning every step of his life, and this was something that wasn’t part of any plan. «‘What are we going to do?’ he finally asked, stopping to face her.
«‘I’m going to have this baby,’ Sarah said firmly. «‘But I don’t expect anything from you, Thomas. I don’t want you to think I’m using this as a way to manipulate you.’ «‘Those words hit him hard.
He knew Sarah wasn’t that kind of person, but the idea that anyone might think so irritated him deeply. «‘Don’t say that,’ he replied, his tone serious. «‘This child is mine, too, and I will take responsibility.
Adit!’ Her gaze softened, but there was still caution in her posture. She didn’t know if she could fully trust that promise. In the days that followed, Thomas tried to adapt to the idea of becoming a father.
He didn’t know how to handle the flood of emotions he felt, but at the same time, he realized that Sarah’s pregnancy had brought something unexpected, a new perspective. For the first time in years, he began to question his priorities and the emptiness of his relentless pursuit of revenge. But not everything would be smooth.
Rebecca, as always, kept a close watch on everything happening in Thomas’s life. When she heard rumours about Sarah’s pregnancy, she saw it as an opportunity to destabilize their relationship. At a social event, Rebecca approached Thomas with her usual air of superiority.
«‘Congratulations, Thomas,’ she said, her tone sweet, but her words dripping with venom. «‘I hear you’re going to be a father. Seems Sarah is cleverer than I thought.’ He narrowed his eyes.
«‘What are you trying to say?’ «‘Oh, nothing. I just find it curious how quickly she got pregnant, don’t you?’ Rebecca teased, tilting her head theatrically. «‘Watch what you say, Rebecca,’ Thomas replied, his tone low and threatening.
«‘I’m just saying, some women know how to secure their position. «‘A baby always changes the rules of the game, doesn’t it?’ Thomas remained silent, but his fists clenched tightly. He knew Rebecca was trying to plant doubts in his mind, but for the first time he realised just how insignificant her games were.
Later that night, back at the mansion, he found Sarah in her room. She was sitting on the bed holding a book, but she seemed distracted. «‘Rebecca knows,’ he said bluntly.
Sarah looked up at him, surprised. «‘How did she find out?’ «‘That doesn’t matter,’ he replied, sitting beside her. «‘What matters is that she’s going to try to use it against you,’ she sighed, feeling the weight of the situation.
«‘Of course she will. All she wants is to destroy us.’ «‘She won’t succeed,’ Thomas said, his voice filled with determination. «‘Sarah looked at him, surprised by the firmness in his expression.
«‘Despite all the fears and uncertainties still lingering between them, «‘she felt that, for the first time, «‘Thomas was genuinely committed to something beyond his revenge. «‘The pregnancy had changed everything. «‘It brought challenges, but also the possibility of a new beginning.
«‘And while they were still navigating turbulent waters, «‘there was something in the air that suggested that together, «‘they could face whatever came their way. «‘The afternoon was grey when Thomas received a message from Rebecca, «‘requesting a meeting. «‘He knew it was risky to accept, but something about her choice of words, «‘to settle unfinished business, piqued his curiosity.
«‘As much as he was aware that Rebecca was a master manipulator, «‘part of him wanted to believe this meeting «‘could be the closure he had long sought to bury. «‘They arranged to meet at a sophisticated secluded restaurant, «‘far from prying eyes. «‘Thomas arrived first, as usual, «‘and sat at a corner table where he could observe the entrance.
«‘Outwardly calm, his mind raced, «‘analysing what Rebecca might want this time. «‘She arrived a few minutes later, exuding confidence in a dress «‘that seemed deliberately chosen to impress. «‘The smile on her face was familiar, «‘but this time it stirred none of the emotions it once did in Thomas.
«‘Thomas,’ she said, sitting down without waiting for an invitation. «‘Thank you for coming.’ «‘Get to the point, Rebecca,’ he replied bluntly, «‘with no intention of prolonging the conversation.’ «‘Rebecca leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. «‘No need to be so cold.
«‘I thought after everything we deserved an honest conversation. «‘Honest!’ he raised an eyebrow. «‘Honesty was never your strong suit, Rebecca.’ «‘She laughed, trying to maintain her composure.
«‘I know I made mistakes, but we’re human, aren’t we? «‘We make mistakes and can still redeem ourselves. «‘Is that a speech, or are you trying to justify something?’ «‘He shot back, crossing his arms. «‘Rebecca paused, studying him.
«‘For the first time she noticed that Thomas wasn’t playing her game. «‘He didn’t seem hurt or resentful, just indifferent. «‘I still care about you,’ she said, softening her tone.