Unveiled Truths
Becky sat in the dim light of her bedroom, staring at the ultrasound image in her trembling hands. She traced the tiny shape with her finger, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. This was her child, a part of her and Ben. The reality of her situation felt overwhelming, especially after everything she had learned about her father and Ben's secrets.
"Why now?" she whispered to herself. Her voice cracked, and tears spilled down her cheeks.
A knock on the door startled her. She quickly shoved the ultrasound into her bag and wiped her face.
"Becky?" Liam's voice came from the other side. "It's me. Can I come in?"
She hesitated. Liam had been her rock recently, the one person who seemed to understand her turmoil. But something about his presence made her feel guilty, as though she were betraying Ben, even if their marriage was nothing more than an arrangement.
"Come in," she finally said, her voice soft.
Liam stepped inside, his expression concerned. "I saw you leave earlier, looking upset. Are you okay?"
Becky shook her head, unable to hold back the flood of emotions. "No, Liam. I'm not okay. Everything is falling apart."
He moved closer, his presence warm and steady. "Talk to me. You don't have to go through this alone."
For a moment, she considered telling him everything....the pregnancy, the secrets, her confusion about Ben. But she stopped herself. Liam's kindness was comforting, but it didn't erase the complicated bond she shared with Ben.
"I don't even know where to start," she said, her voice breaking. "It's like everything I thought I knew about my life is a lie."
Liam reached for her hand, his touch gentle. "Then start with the truth. Whatever it is, I'm here."
Becky looked up at him, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. For a fleeting moment, she felt the pull between them a connection she hadn't expected. But just as quickly, guilt surged through her.
"I can't, Liam," she whispered, pulling her hand away. "This is something I need to figure out on my own."
Later that evening, Becky found herself standing outside Ben's study. The mansion felt colder than usual, the shadows stretching across the marble floors like specters. She clutched her bag tightly, the ultrasound tucked inside.
She needed answers, and Ben was the only one who could give them to her.
When she pushed open the door, Ben was sitting behind his desk, his head in his hands. He looked up sharply when she entered, his icy blue eyes narrowing.
"Becky," he said, his voice edged with weariness. "What's this about?"
She stepped inside, her heart pounding. "We need to talk, Ben. About everything."
His gaze flickered, a mix of caution and irritation. "If this is about Liam"
"It's not about Liam," she interrupted, her voice firm. "It's about us. About the fact that I'm pregnant with your child."
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Ben's expression froze, his jaw tightening as he processed what she had just said.
"You're... pregnant?" he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," Becky said, her voice trembling. "And I've been trying to figure out how to tell you, but with everything happening"
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he demanded, standing abruptly. His towering figure made the room feel even smaller.
"Because I didn't know how you'd react!" she shot back, her frustration bubbling over. "You're controlling, cold, and impossible to talk to. I was scared, Ben."
Ben's face softened for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his usual stoic demeanor. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
"I would never let anything happen to my child," he said firmly. "You should have trusted me."
Becky laughed bitterly. "Trusted you? The same man who keeps secrets from me? The same man who met with my father behind my back?"
His expression darkened. "I was trying to protect you, Becky."
"By lying to me?" she demanded, her voice rising. "You don't get to decide what I need protection from. This is my life, Ben. Our child's life."
Before Ben could respond, the door opened, and Liam stepped inside. His eyes darted between them, sensing the charged atmosphere.
"Am I interrupting?" he asked, his voice cautious.
"Yes," Ben said coldly.
"No," Becky countered, her eyes blazing.
Liam crossed his arms, his gaze settling on Ben. "I think it's time we all stop dancing around the truth. Becky deserves to know everything."
"Stay out of this," Ben warned, his tone icy.
"Why? Because you don't want her to know about Daniel?" Liam shot back.
Becky's heart stopped. "Daniel? Who's Daniel?"
Ben's face turned ashen, and for a moment, he looked genuinely shaken.
"Daniel is his twin brother," Liam said, his voice steady. "The one he let everyone believe was dead."
Becky turned to Ben, her eyes wide with shock. "Is that true?"
Ben's silence was answer enough.
Becky felt like the ground had been ripped out from under her. "You've been keeping this from me? What else are you hiding, Ben?"
"This isn't about Daniel," Ben said, his voice strained. "It's about protecting you and our child."
"No, Ben," Becky said, her voice trembling with anger. "It's about control. You don't trust me, and now I don't know if I can trust you."
Liam stepped closer to her, his presence a balm to her frayed nerves. "You don't have to stay in this, Becky. There's another way."
Ben's eyes blazed with fury. "Don't you dare"
"This isn't your decision, Ben," Liam interrupted, his tone defiant.
Becky held up her hand, silencing both men. "Stop it. Both of you. This isn't about who's right or wrong. This is about what's best for my child."
Her voice cracked, and tears filled her eyes. "I need time to think. Alone."
She turned and walked out of the study, her heart heavy with the weight of their secrets and her own uncertain future.
As she reached her room, she placed a hand on her stomach, whispering softly, "I'll figure this out. For you."
Later that evening, when Becky thought she had finally settled into the silence of her room, another knock came at the door.
"Becky?" Ben's voice. "We need to talk."
Becky felt a wave of exhaustion hit her. She was done with the secrets, the lies, the constant tug-of-war between them. But she knew there were things that needed to be said things she needed to know, things that would determine her future and her child's.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. But what she saw made her freeze.
Standing before her was not Ben but a man, dressed in a dark suit, his face half-hidden by shadows.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling with confusion and alarm.
The man's lips twisted into a knowing smile. "It's not Ben you need to worry about, Becky. It's your father. And you're in much more danger than you think."