Tatiana's Point of View
I stood beside the curtain in the dimly lit room, my heart pounding as I stared through the window. Sweat dripped down my temples as my eyes fixated on the sleek black car driving into the garage.
My lips quivered, and I tried hard not to pass out. This was going to be a long night. My eyes shifted back to the doctor's test reports on the nightstand. I was pregnant, and I didn't know how he would react to the news.
I knew that my mother-in-law would be the one to break it to him. He hadn't touched me since we got married, and I hadn't cheated on him, either. I disgusted him, and he never ceased to call me a—
"Low life."
The child I was carrying was a mistake, the result of a one-night stand at a party before I met him. I rubbed my belly with my palm, hot tears streaming down my face.
He stepped out of his car, walking arrogantly into the mansion, unfazed by the raindrops falling on his suit.
I took a deep breath, swallowing the lump in my throat, then walked over to the bed and covered myself with a blanket, tears rolling down my cheeks. My breathing came in short, haggard gasps as I squeezed the bedsheet, hoping it would absorb the fear clouding my mind.
An unnerving silence settled over the mansion, and I was certain my mother-in-law, Kate, had broken the news to him.
"Where is she?!" His voice thundered through the house, filled with hatred. I curled up in the blanket, my breathing hitching. I wanted to disappear into thin air.
Suddenly, the door flew open, and a cool breeze rushed into the room, flickering the candle out. I felt his gaze pierce through me, and I shut my eyes, my heartbeat nearly deafening.
He stood at the threshold, his domineering presence saturating the air as he observed my pathetic form.
"There you are," he whispered in a low, unforgiving tone that made my stomach churn with fear. My body trembled as he strode into the room, the soles of his shoes echoing off the polished marble floor.
I opened my eyes, squinting to get a better view of where he was. To my surprise, he was gone. I let out a sigh of relief, sitting upright on the soft mattress and leaning against the nightstand. Maybe he had left.
"You thought I'd buy that?" a cold voice said behind me. My muscles froze, and I bit my lip in fear. He flicked the lights on, his stare cold and unyielding as a thick silence settled over the room.
"R...Ryan," I gasped. "Y...You're home?" I stammered, adjusting myself on the bed.
His cold gaze shifted to the table, and he spotted the test results. He walked over, picked up the papers, and stared hard at them before tilting his head up to meet my eyes.
His lips pressed into a thin line as he walked toward me, his jaw clenched.
"Ryan… D...Darling, I can explain. It's not what you think. I…" I stammered, almost pleading for my life. But my words had no effect on him.
He narrowed his gaze, his eyes blazing with fury. His cologne mixed with his intimidating, masculine aura.
"Tell me one good reason I shouldn't rip you apart," he asked, shaking his head in disgust. "A low life like you cheating on me is something I will not tolerate in the Walters family," he sneered.
Tears streamed down my face, my eyes pleading with him, but my voice failed me. All I could do was stare, my lips quivering.
"Wait until I tell them what you really are!" he shouted, grabbing a handful of my hair and pulling, threatening to rip it from my scalp.
"Ryan, please," I begged, my voice shaking. He dragged me out of the bed, and I hit my stomach on the floor, writhing in pain, but he didn't care.
"Ryan, you're hurting me," I begged, tears racing down my face. He didn't listen, didn't even flinch at my words. He dragged me to the mezzanine, forcing me to look down at everyone gathered below.
"Tell them the truth, Tatiana. Tell them the damn truth!" he shouted.
My eyes roamed across the room, taking in the shock on each face as they witnessed Ryan's cruel behavior.
"The child doesn't belong to him," I whispered bitterly, shutting my eyes and letting the tears fall freely, without restraint.
He let out a mocking chuckle before releasing me, and I fell to the floor, curling up in both pain and regret.
"I was against marrying this low life, but you all forced me and threatened me!" he accused. "I will not be a father to the bastard she carries," he hissed, storming out.
My vision blurred as he left the mansion, slamming the door behind him. Gathering what little dignity I had left, I crawled back to my room and closed the door.
I walked to the shower, turning it on and letting the warm water drench me, hoping it would wash away the shame.
My whole life had revolved around pain since my mother died and I was left to live with my stepmother. I was just nature's joke.
Taking a deep breath, I stared at the small bump on my stomach, rubbing it with my palm.
I shut my eyes, sinking into the bathtub as my mind drifted back to that night—the night with the mysterious man at the party.
I had snuck out of the house to attend a party my best friend Cassie invited me to. I knew I'd be in trouble if they found out, but Cassie reassured me that everything would be fine.
My heart raced, and perspiration beaded on my forehead as I stared at the doorknob.
Was this really worth it? What if I got caught? Why didn't I think this through before sneaking out?
"You can't go in like this," a voice said behind me. My breath caught my muscles tightening as I turned around to see Cassie.
She looked stunning, with red lipstick, black eyeliner, and a slightly transparent gown. Her hair cascaded down her back, and her smile widened.
"You look nervous," she noted, raising an eyebrow. "Glad you made it," she said with a smile.
She led me by the hand into the party, where the music was loud—loud enough to silence the thoughts of failure that had been living rent-free in my mind. The air was thick with the scent of cigarettes and whiskey.
Cassie quickly got lost in the music, forgetting I was even there. To keep myself occupied, I wandered to the bar and ordered whiskey. One shot turned into two, then three, until I lost count.
As I raised another drink to my lips, my gaze fell on a muscular man standing in the shadows, staring at me.
He looked so irresistible that I felt drawn to him, my weak legs carrying me toward him. Just as I was about to fall, he caught me in his arms, our eyes locking.
The blue light from the chandelier made it hard to see his face clearly, but whoever he was, I wasn't sure I'd be able to let him go.
"I love you," I murmured in my tipsy state.
"You've had too much to drink. You are—" Before he could finish, I pressed my lips to his, kissing him deeply as though my life depended on it, and, to my relief, he didn't resist.
Things escalated quickly. I found myself cradled in his arms as he carried me to an empty room, my hands running over his muscles. All I wanted was to forget my sorrows and live for just one night, even if it was only temporary.
Sadly, it was the worst mistake of my life.