Chapter 30: The Dinner Invitation
Just moments after Alexander's dad made a call, the police released Eleanor without further ado. She returned home with her husband, James, and her mother-in-law, who was visibly upset and angry with her. As soon as they arrived, Eleanor was met with a sharp slap from her mother-in-law.
"Why would you treat Lila like that in public? Did you want to make things difficult for us and ruin my son's reputation?" James' mother demanded, her voice filled with fury.
"I didn't mean to; she started it!" Eleanor protested, but her words fell on deaf ears. To them, Lila was seen as a fragile individual whom Eleanor could easily overpower.
"You didn't? Then explain why she fainted when you were together! And remember, she is Alexander wife. You could have harmed her unborn child in private, not to mention that this should have been a private matter!" James' mother yelled, her anger boiling over.
"She is pregnant?" Lila was shocked.
The commotion drew the attention of James' young son, who watched in distress as his grandmother scolded his mother. Tears streamed down the boy's face.
"Stop bullying my mom!" he cried out.
James knelt down to his son's level, attempting to soothe him. "Grandma isn't bullying your mom; she just needs to learn a lesson," he explained.
"No!" the boy insisted, his sobs continuing as James' mother motioned for him to take the child away, leading him to where James' younger son was playing.
"Mama!" the boy cried, still upset as his father carried him away, trying to comfort him amidst the chaos.
The next morning, Alexander was in high spirits, buoyed by the news of Lila's pregnancy. He instructed the kitchen to prepare her favorite soup, eager to pamper her. As he left for work, he felt a renewed sense of purpose, determined to provide for his growing family.
Meanwhile, Lila took a moment to gather her thoughts. She texted Ethan, her heart racing as she typed, "I need to see you. It's important." She knew the implications of her pregnancy would complicate their secret, but she felt compelled to discuss it with him.
At work, Alexander was greeted with congratulations from his employees about the successful deal they had secured. The atmosphere was celebratory, and plans for an office dinner were quickly put in motion. As the day progressed, Alexander couldn't shake the feeling of excitement about becoming a father.
Ethan, however, was noticeably absent from the dinner preparations. When asked about his absence, he replied, "I won't be able to make it tonight. I have some personal matters to attend to." His colleagues expressed disappointment, as Ethan was known for his charm and ability to liven up any gathering.
Later that evening, Lila arrived at Ethan's apartment, her heart pounding with anticipation. She had entered without knocking, knowing the code to his door. As she stepped inside, she found Ethan pacing the room, his expression a mix of concern and surprise.
"Lila, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low.
"I need to talk to you," she said, her heart racing. "I'm pregnant."
Ethan's eyes widened in shock. "Pregnant? Is it mine?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
"I don't know who the father is," Lila admitted, her voice trembling. "I was with Alexander, but I was also with you."
Ethan took a deep breath, trying to process the news. "Okay, don't panic. Just let Alexander raise the child, and we can do a DNA test later. He can be the heir to the Hart family."
Lila felt a wave of relief wash over her. "You really think that will work?" she asked, her voice softening.
"Of course," Ethan replied, his confidence returning. "Just don't let anyone know the truth. We can keep this under wraps."
They shared a passionate kiss, the weight of their secret hanging heavily in the air. Lila knew the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but for now, she felt a sense of comfort in Ethan's presence.