Araya's POV
araya broke away from the kissed and delivered a brutal slap across his face,his face wobbled side way. Gathering her built up anger she glared at him.
"Why are you doing this to me? Why can't you leave me alone?" Araya exclaimed, her voice trembling with frustration, her eyes darting around in fear.
"Don't I deserve a happy time for myself, Mr. Dragons? Why!" Her voice cracked with emotion as she confronted Erickson. For the first time, she raised her voice at him, and it made him freeze.
"Tell me... have I done something in my past life to cross paths with a devil like you?" Her chest heaved with each breath, her fists clenching at her sides.
"You can't marry him, not with my baby inside you," he rasped, taking a step closer. Araya flinched, stepping back until she felt the cold wall against her back.
She stood by the pool, watching him dictate her life yet again.
"I am not yours, Mr. Dragons. I am Araya Kathryn Elizabeth Stewarts, not your slave!" she growled, turning on her heel, ready to leave.
His jaw clenched, his sharp eyes narrowed, shooting her a glare so fierce her heart nearly stopped. He prowled toward her like a barbaric beast, his movements slow, deliberate—deadly.
In an instant, he grabbed her arms, locking his gaze with hers. His breath was hot against her face as he rasped through gritted teeth, "You are mine."
Araya met his gaze head-on. "I belong to myself. You can't drive me like a slave anymore. The past Araya, your sex doll, is gone. I am a mother now, and my only duty is to protect my child."
His grip loosened slightly, his expression shifting for a fraction of a second before darkening again.
"And this child is also mine," he growled. "The baby shares my blood, Araya. It exists because of me."
Her body shook with rage as she spat, "You don't deserve to be called a father. You're barely even human, Erickson Dragons."
She turned to leave, but before she could take a step, a sharp pain stabbed through her lower back.
Her breath hitched. "A-Araya, are you okay?" His voice, usually firm and cold, held an unfamiliar tremor of concern. He took a quick step toward her and wrapped an arm around her waist as her knees buckled.
"What is wrong with you?" Concern was deeply embroidered in his crackled voice, his words laced with an urgency that made her heart race. Araya took a deep breath, her eyes blurry from the tears that blurred her vision, and she pointed shakily at her bump, a gasp escaping her lips.
"My...my... baby... coming..." she gritted out , her voice raw. Pain consumed her, and she let out an intense scream, her body wracked with agony as tears streamed down her face.
He didn't dare let her go, his hands trembling with worry as he tried to soothe her. His eyes, filled with nothing but concern, could barely hold back the turmoil inside. At the mere thought of her crying in pain, his chest tightened painfully. With trembling fingers, he pushed the stray strands of hair away from her face, his touch gentle as he caressed her damp skin.
In that moment, Jack and the others stood behind him, their eyes fixed on their boss and the heart-wrenching sight of Araya, her body wracked with pain. There was no mistaking it—she was in agony, and they were helpless.
With a sense of urgency, he scooped her up into his arms, his grip tight but tender, fighting to remain calm. His voice came out in a raspy, commanding tone. "Get the car! Now!" He barked urgently at the other members of the gang. "Ring the doctors and nurses immediately," he added, before rushing out of the building at a pace that left everyone scrambling to keep up.
---
**Nine Hours Later...**
Araya slowly opened her eyes, her vision still blurry as her surroundings came into focus. Her gaze landed on the crib beside her, where a tiny, peaceful infant lay. A soft, blissful smile crept onto her lips as she reached out, trembling fingers brushing against the baby's delicate face.
The baby responded to her touch with a small, round smile, and Araya's heart melted at the sight. She leaned back against the pillow, her arms instinctively cupping the baby close. "Aren't you the sweetest thing I've ever gotten?" she murmured softly, her eyes shining with affection as she gazed at the child in her arms.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed, and she looked up to find a familiar figure approaching.
"I assume you're awake, Miss Stewart," the doctor's voice broke through the moment, and Araya blinked, her eyes still heavy with sleep. "Congratulations on your little queen. She's so beautiful, just like you."
Araya lifted her head, grateful for the words, but her attention was quickly drawn to the room around her. Piles of roses were scattered throughout the room, their fragrance overwhelming. Her gaze settled on the wall, where words were inscribed that seemed like a puzzle—an enigmatic message that left her confused.
The doctor's voice broke the silence again. "I'll let your sister and husband know you're awake. They've been waiting forever to see you and the baby."
Araya nodded absentmindedly, still trying to make sense of the words on the wall.
A moment later, Ashley and Yang entered, Ashley holding a basket tied with a red ribbon, and Yang carrying a bouquet of white lilies.
"Oh, my little niece!" Ashley exclaimed, her voice dripping with affection as she moved toward the crib. "She's so cute! Just like me," she added with a grin, scooping the baby up from Araya's arms. "Who's a dokie little fela baby?" she cooed, excitement radiating from her.
"She's so pretty," Yang commented softly, brushing his fingers gently over the baby's face. He sat down across from Araya, his eyes filled with admiration. "She's as pretty as her mother, with the same blazing features and those cute, round blue eyes... oh my goodness, they're like the ocean—so pure and innocent."
Araya felt the wetness pool at the base of her eyes. She blinked rapidly, trying to stop the tears from spilling. She looked down into the baby's deep blue eyes, knowing these eyes were the same as the one who had caused so much pain in her life. But in that moment, it didn't matter. The reminder that this was also the reason her angel had been born brought a soft, bittersweet smile to her lips.
"What's her name?" Yang asked, extending the lilies toward her. "I'm sure you've picked a beautiful name for her."
Araya looked down at her baby, then met Yang's gaze, her heart swelling with emotion. "Her name is Asher Kara Stewart," she said, the name flowing from her lips with ease, as if it had always been meant to be.
"Wow!" Ashley's eyes lit up with excitement. "Such a lovely name! Asher is so perfect for her. Princess Asher," she added, drawing out the words slowly as she pulled out her cell phone. "I have a surprise for you."
"You do?" Araya asked, her curiosity piqued, all thoughts of her previous worries forgotten for a moment.
Yang gently placed Asher on his chest and began to whistle, blowing kisses at the little one from every angle. "Yes," Ashley replied, shoving the basket into Araya's lap. "Open it."
Araya's hands shook as she tore open the ribbons. As if on cue, soft music began to play through hidden speakers, and the room seemed to slow around her. She froze as she caught sight of the contents of the basket—a matching set of pajamas for mother and child, adorned with a unicorn drawing.
And then, her eyes widened further as another shiny object came into view.
She gasped, her mouth falling open in shock.
"Congratulations!" Ashley and Yang exclaimed in unison, and the room erupted in applause. Nurses, doctors, and others gathered in the room clapped as she turned to find Yang kneeling before her, holding out a ring.
The roses, the applause, the words on the wall—all of it fell into place in an instant. He was marking her and the baby as his. He was making them his.
"Araya," Yang spoke softly, his voice filled with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. He reached for her hand, his eyes full of emotion. "I know we haven't known each other for long, and I know I met you through your sister. But my feelings for you are real. And I've decided that I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our baby. I hope you can love me back, and we can live as one family."
Her tears came back in full force, a torrent she couldn't hold back. She blinked rapidly, trying to stop them, but it was impossible. She looked down into Yang's deep green eyes, seeing the truth of his affection in them. Her heart ached with conflicting emotions—she knew she wanted to stay with him, to be by his side as his wife, but doubts lingered. Was this the right choice? Would she regret it?
"I will, Yang," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "We will be a family, inseparable." She reached for him, pulling him to his feet as the room erupted in applause once more. She threw herself into his strong arms, burying her face into his expensive suit, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement.
---
Nine hours ago
Erick heart constricted as Araya's tears fell, each one a reminder of the pain she had endured. He pushed the gas pedal harder, driving faster, the sound of her cries breaking his heart.
"Don't worry, Araya," he muttered softly as he gripped her arms with his left hand, his right firmly on the wheel. "I'll get you to the hospital. Nothing bad will happen to you, I promise." His eyes flicked to his watch—11:30—and then back to the road ahead.
Araya's cries of pain melted his heart. It was as if he had gone back in time to when he had caged and tormented her. The thought made him sick, his stomach churning with guilt.
He rubbed her temple gently, pulling her closer, trying to offer her some comfort as he pressed harder on the gas.
---
As soon as the car stopped, nurses and doctors rushed to meet them, quickly transferring Araya to a stretcher and pushing her forward. Erick stayed close, his voice never leaving her side, offering words of reassurance.
"I'm here, Araya. Everything will be fine as long as I'm by your side."
As she was wheeled into the operating room, Erick paced, his heart racing with worry, his hands slick with sweat. He couldn't bear hearing her cries of pain—it tore him apart.
Two hours passed, and Ericks anxiety reached its peak. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets, his thoughts spiraling. Jack and the others were beside him, genuinely worried for Araya, but they knew better than to voice it out loud. That would only anger their already furious boss.
And then, the sound they had all been waiting for—the cry of a baby—filled the air. It melted Ericks heart in an instant.
He rushed into the ward to meet the sleeping Araya, who was exhausted but safe.
"Mr. Dragons," the doctor said as she approached, holding a tiny, wrapped bundle. "Congratulations. Your wife has given birth to a beautiful, charming girl."
"Wife..." The word felt foreign to him, a strange sensation welling up in his chest. He wished it were true, that she was his wife, but deep down, he knew she would be someone else's soon.
He reached out, taking the baby in his arms, his eyes softening as he gazed down at her.
"She's as charming as her mother, beautiful, yet so small and innocent... I should call her Asher," he murmured, but then thought better of it. "Her mother will name her. I'm sure she has a lovely name for our daughter."
The doctor nodded, stepping back to allow him a moment with the baby.
Erick bent down beside Araya, kissing her cheek softly, the weight of his emotions settling in.
"Thank you, Araya, for giving me this gift. I promise I will love our daughter, and I'll make every moment count. You gave me this joy, and I'll never bring you sorrow. I'll let you go, I won't hurt you anymore. As long as I have our baby, she is my life. She proved I'm not infertile... I will love her so much, and I hope you find happiness with the one you've chosen."
With a final, lingering glance at his sleeping daughter, he placed her back in her crib and walked away, his heart torn in two.
---
**A Few Hours Later**
Erick returned, his arms full of roses that decorated the room in a lavish display. But it was the puzzle beside the flowers that caught his attention. The words were scattered across the pieces, but one message stood out clearly.
"You will likely belong to someone soon, so I have to take what belongs to me in two days."
---
---
Three hours later...
Araya groggily opened her eyes, blinking against the hospital's dim light. Her gaze drifted to the crib beside her bed, where a tiny bundle lay peacefully, her small chest rising and falling with each breath.
A blissful smile stretched across Araya's lips.she made it . Reaching out, she gently caressed the baby's soft cheek. The infant stirred slightly, a tiny, contented smile forming on her lips.
"Aren't you the sweetest little thing I've ever seen?" Araya murmured, her heart swelling with overwhelming love.
A shadow approached, and a warm voice broke the silence.
"Miss Stewarts, congratulations on your little princess. She's just as beautiful as you."
Araya turned to see the doctor standing by her bed. She parted her lips to thank him when her eyes caught sight of something else—a pile of roses, their vibrant petals adorning the room. On the wall, words were inscribed in elegant script.
Before she could process the meaning, the doctor spoke again. "I'll inform your sister and husband that you're awake. They've been waiting eagerly to see you and the baby."
Araya blinked, her gaze snapping to the doctor.
Husband? She parted her lips to correct him, but before she could, Ashley and Yang burst into the room. Ashley carried a basket wrapped in a red ribbon, while Yang held a bouquet of white lilies.
"Oh, my little niece! Finally!" Ashley squealed, rushing to Araya's side.
Yang chuckled, sitting across from her. "She's adorable," he murmured, gently tracing the baby's chubby cheek with his fingers. "She has your fiery features and those deep, round blue eyes. So pure. So innocent."
Araya's heart clenched. Her baby had his eyes. The very eyes she had spent so long resenting. And yet, as she looked into her daughter's innocent gaze, something inside her softened.
"What's her name?" Yang asked, placing the lilies beside her. "I'm sure you've chosen something special."
Araya swallowed, then whispered, "Asher Kara Stewarts."
Ashley gasped. "Oh my God! Such a lovely name. Princess Asher," she cooed, pulling out her phone.
"And I have a surprise for you," she added excitedly.
"A surprise?" Araya tilted her head, momentarily forgetting her exhaustion.
Yang took Asher into his arms, whistling playfully as he blew kisses at her.
Ashley handed Araya the basket. "Open it."
Araya untied the ribbon, and as if on cue, soft music filled the air. She froze.
Inside was a pair of matching pajamas—one for her and one for Asher—adorned with a unicorn design.
And beneath it, a shimmering rock.
Her breath hitched.
Applause filled the room. The nurses. The doctors. Everyone was clapping.