Raelynn stood across the street, staring up at the huge glass building shining in front of her.
The Vaelorian Group.
The company's name was etched in bold, silver letters above the entrance, a symbol of power and prestige. This was his empire. The father of the baby growing inside her—Elion Vaelorian. She could hardly believe she was here, standing in front of one of the most successful companies in the country, owned by the guy whose life she'd suddenly been thrown into.
The Vaelorian Group wasn't just any business. It was a titan in the world of finance, technology, and real estate. It had its fingers in nearly every major industry, and its influence reached far beyond the country's borders. Elion Vaelorian was known for building his empire with ruthless efficiency, turning failing companies into profitable ventures, and making strategic moves that always seemed to outsmart his competitors.
He wasn't just rich—he was powerful, respected, and feared. His face was constantly on the cover of magazines, his name in headlines, always involved in some new business acquisition or awesome deal.
And now, Raelynn was about to walk into his world, carrying a secret that could change both of their lives forever.
Her heart was beating fast, and she could feel the nerves crawling up her back. What was she even thinking, coming here? What if he didn't believe her? What if he didn't care? But then she touched her stomach, and it all hit her hard. She had no choice. He needed to know.
With a deep breath, Raelynn forced herself to stop overthinking and pushed open the large glass doors. Walking into the cool air felt amazing, especially after the warm day outside. Workers hurried around, some on the phone, others rushing to catch the elevators. It was a world that felt far removed from Raelynn's own, but she had to press on.
She walked up to the reception desk, trying to appear calm even though her heart was racing. The receptionist, a young woman with perfectly styled hair and a polite smile, looked up as Raelynn approached.
"Hello, welcome to Vaelorian Group. How can I help you today?" the receptionist asked, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.
Raelynn swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm here to see Mr. Vaelorian," she said, hoping that this would go smoother than she feared.
The receptionist's smile faltered just a little. "Do you have an appointment with Mr. Vaelorian?"
Raelynn shifted uncomfortably, knowing the answer was going to cause problems. "No, but it's important. I need to speak with him."
The receptionist's polite smile returned, though it was more strained now. "I'm sorry, but Mr. Vaelorian only meets with individuals who have scheduled appointments."
Raelynn felt her frustration rising. She knew this was going to be difficult, but she hadn't expected it to feel this impossible. "No, you don't understand," she insisted, leaning in slightly. "I need to see him today. It's important."
The receptionist shook her head sympathetically but remained firm. "I'm afraid I can't let you see him without an appointment. It's company policy."
Raelynn's patience was wearing thin. She wasn't about to leave without talking to him. "I really don't think you understand. This is something he needs to know right now. I can't wait."
The receptionist's smile tightened, and she was about to respond when Raelynn noticed a group of people entering the lobby from the opposite side. At the center of them was a tall, striking figure—Elion. He made his way through the crowd, his broad shoulders and confident walk catching everyone's eye. The people around him seemed to orbit him, hanging on his every word, though he barely acknowledged their presence.
Raelynn's breath caught in her throat. There he was.
Without thinking, Raelynn's feet moved before her mind could catch up. She stepped away from the desk and headed straight toward him.
This was it. She had no plan, no script. Just the truth and the overwhelming need to tell him.
Elion was engrossed in conversation with one of his colleagues when Raelynn stepped in front of him, blocking his path. His sharp eyes immediately locked on her, narrowing slightly in confusion. He stopped, his entourage halting behind him, the sudden disruption catching everyone's attention.
The security personnel stationed nearby began moving toward her, but Raelynn ignored them, her focus solely on Elion. She had come too far to back down now.
"We need to talk," Raelynn said, sounding calm even though she was freaking out inside.
Elion raised an eyebrow, his expression hard to read. He didn't look surprised to see her, but his cold stare gave her chills. Before he could respond, the security team closed in, one of them reaching for her arm.
"Miss, you can't just—" one of the guards started, but Elion lifted a hand, signaling them to stop.
"Let her speak," he said, his voice calm but firm. The guards hesitated for a moment before backing off, allowing Raelynn to step closer.
Elion's eyes scanned her face, his gaze piercing. "What do you want from me?" he asked, sounding nearly bored. "Didn't my assistant already take care of everything?"
Raelynn's heart skipped a beat. So he hadn't forgotten her. A flicker of anger flashed in her chest, but she swallowed it down. "Good to know you still remember me," she shot back, her voice full of sarcasm.
Elion sighed, clearly not in the mood for games. "I don't have time to entertain whatever this is," he said, his voice cold as he turned to walk away. "If it's about the money, you should've spoken to my assistant."
Raelynn's chest tightened as he tried to dismiss her so easily, but she wasn't going to let him walk away this time. She quickly followed him, her steps hurried as she caught up to him again. "I haven't said what I came here to say yet."
Elion stopped, his patience clearly wearing thin. He turned to face her, his eyes narrowing. "Is it the money? Not enough? Or do you want something else?"
Raelynn's temper flared, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she stepped closer to him, grabbing the lapel of his suit jacket and pulling him toward her. His eyes widened slightly in surprise as she leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"I'm pregnant," she said, her words barely more than a breath against his ear.
The world seemed to still for a moment. Elion's body stiffened under her grip, and she felt his muscles tense. He didn't pull away, though; he simply stood there, frozen in place.
Their eyes locked, and for a second, Raelynn couldn't breathe. The intensity in his gaze was unlike anything she had ever seen.
"You're what?" Elion finally asked, keeping his voice calm, but there was a bite to it that wasn't there before.
Raelynn swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "I'm pregnant. And it's yours."