Edith's POV:
I stared down at the sixth pregnancy test in my trembling hands, the kit displaying the same two pink lines like the other five kits before. I felt my breath hitched on my throat, the weight of disbelief pressing down on my chest.
I couldn't help but sink down onto the cold bathroom floor, the kit slipping from my fingers. "This can't be happening," I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible over the blood rushing in my ears.
After suddenly feeling sick and losing my appetite over the past few days, I realized that I had missed my period this month which instantly built up an unknown fear inside me. Despite my firm belief that it could be anything but pregnancy, the result was in front of my eyes.
Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes, blurring my vision as I stared at the discarded test. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. How could I get pregnant even after taking pills exactly the next morning?
'I'm going to fill your tight little pussy with so much cum that you can feel it dripping down your thighs for days...' His voice rang in my mind as I ground myself against the rising tide of panic.
Yes... He was the one to blame because he released his seeds inside me so many times that night, without a second thought. And I had been careless, lost at the moment, now I was paying the price.
To me that night was still an impulsive decision born out of loneliness, frustration, and a desperate need to feel something other than the suffocation of my life. It wasn't supposed to be like this.
A lump formed in my throat as I tried to swallow the shame and guilt that twisted inside me. I wanted to scream, cry or do anything to escape this feeling of helplessness.
And the father of this child? A stranger. I didn't even have a name let alone a way to find him.
I felt more horrified as I wondered what my parents would do if they knew. They would probably bury me alive with this child to keep their reputation clean.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. My world spinning out of control, knowing nothing would ever be the same.
My mind raced, darting through the possibilities. I thought about going to the hospital, and seeing if this damn test result was really true.
A life conceived through one night of lust without love for the father, this child would never be welcome. If I'm really pregnant, then there's only one way. I must get rid of it.
I stepped out of the bathroom, and decided to make an appointment with a gynecologist this evening. But as I grabbed my phone, I saw a text from my father.
"Don't forget tonight's big event. Be there by 6."
I recalled the grand opening ceremony of Windsor hotel that I was supposed to attend with my parents this evening. With everything that had been happening, the last thing on my mind was attending some event with them.
However, watching me in such a miserable condition, they would probably guess something was wrong with me. I didn't want them to know and I couldn't take any risk regarding that.
I immediately dialed his number, pacing back and forth as it rang.
"Edith," He spoke in his brisk voice, receiving the call. "You're on your way, right?"
I swallowed hard, sighing subconsciously. "Ac...Actually, Dad, I can't make it tonight. I've got something important...."
"Again?" He interrupted. "You have been consistently giving such nonsense excuses to skip attending events with us."
"It's not an excuse, dad, I swear," I said quickly. "There's a lot going on, and I just... I can't be there tonight."
There was a long pause at the end of the line. When my dad spoke again, his voice was colder and sharper this time.
"It is an important event, Edith, and you will be there. No more excuses because I'm tired of you constantly putting everything else first. You have a responsibility to this family."
I closed my eyes, chewing on my bottom lip, feeling the familiar sting of his words.
"And there's a surprise for you," he added, before hanging up.
'A surprise? What could that possibly mean' I wondered, staring at the screen confusingly as the call ended.
However, it wasn't the first time I had refused to attend an event, especially with my parents. Whenever I went to those fancy gatherings with them, I always felt suffocated, surrounded by all the elite and posh figures who blended together effortlessly. As an introvert, I could never do that, which left me feeling like an outcast every single time. In addition, my mom's constant judgment and taunting made me feel more miserable.
I let out a frustrated sigh as my dad's words echoed in my mind. 'You have a responsibility to this family.' The hospital visit would have to wait as I had no other option left but to attend the event tonight.
I walked over to my closet and pulled out a black dress. It was simple, comfortable, elegant and perfect for blending in without drawing too much attention.
I slipped into my dress and brushed my hair into loose waves. Following that, I applied very minimal makeup to keep things simple. I knew it was quite a big event but there was no energy or interest left in me to look glamorous rather than the bare minimum to get through the evening.
Finally, I walked over to my shoe rack and instinctively reached for my black heel. But just as I was about to slip them on, I hesitated.
Unknowingly, a sharp twinge of concern crossed my mind. 'Not Tonight' I thought, shaking my head.
I placed the heels back and reached for a pair of comfortable black flat shoes instead.
Sliding them on, I stood and took one last look in the mirror.
It would do.
Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my small clutch and headed for the door. I tried to shake off the uneasy feeling of what awaited me at the event.
'One night... Just got through one night, Edith... You can do this...' I told myself before stepping out of my apartment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I pulled up to the grand Windsor Hotel and tried to steady my rushing nerves as I stepped out. The doorman greeted me with a nod, and I forced a smile as I walked through the bustling lobby.
My breath turned uneven and panic fluttered in my chest as the surroundings only magnified my sense of being out of my comfort zone and among this polished perfection.
Thankfully, a staff member approached me with a smile, guiding me towards the conference hall. I smiled at him, trying to push away my rising anxiety. As I walked down the corridor, the hallway seemed endless, the chatter growing louder with every step.
Finally, arriving at the entrance to the conference hall, I scanned the room. There they were, seated at a table near the center, engaging in conversation with a few other guests.
Surprisingly, my mom's face lit up as I reached their table. "Edith, darling! You made it!" Her voice was filled with genuine warmth.
My dad looked up from his discussion, his expression softer than I expected. "Glad to see you, Edith. We were starting to worry you might not show up."
"I guess I don't have much choice either," I replied bitterly, as I took a seat next to them, glancing around at other guests who seemed engrossed in their conversations.
My mom reached over and squeezed my hand. "We're just glad you're here. You look lovely, sweetheart."
I glanced at my dad, who gave her a nod of approval. It was really unlikely for them to compliment me, especially when I was expecting them to scold me for dressing so casually. However, it was a relief that they were being friendly instead of judging me in front of others.
As I sat at the table, their continuous warm behavior towards me felt too unsettling. I could tell something was off and it only deepened my confusion.
Suddenly, I caught the exchange as my mom gave my dad a subtle nod. I could instantly sense that whatever was coming next wouldn't be good.
My dad cleared his throat, straightening up in his seat. "Edith," he began in an unexpectedly calm voice. "There's something important we need to tell you."
"What is it?" I felt my stomach tightened, eyes flickering between them.
Dad exchanged another look with my mom before turning back to me. "We've arranged your marriage," he said, his words hitting me like a slap on my already burning cheeks.
The surroundings seemed to blur for a moment, the voices around me fading as I tried to process what I had just heard.
"Ma... Marriage?" My voice trembled, barely above a whisper. "With who...whom?"
Before dad could answer, his gaze shifted toward the entrance of the hall. Suddenly his face brightened up, smiling wide.
"Ah, perfect timing!" Dad exclaimed, standing up and motioning someone behind me.
"Edith, turn around and meet your future husband, Zayden De Parenti."
My eyes widened as I felt the floor drop beneath me. I couldn't breathe. My mind raced as I slowly turned in my chair following my dad's words.
I froze, as a familiar pair of stormy blue eyes locked onto mine, piercing through the chaos in my mind. I knew those eyes instantly.
It was him.
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The story is a dark romance and will have explicit scenes throughout the story with which some of you may feel uncomfortable, read at your own risk.]