EIRA POV
I can't believe he tripped me just to make me leave.
Oh God… what will I do now? He'll kill her.
I gripped the steel bar at my side, my knuckles white, forcing myself not to collapse as the thought of something happening to her stabbed into me. Tears blurred my vision.
Claira. Her baby.
"Will you stay the whole day inside?"
"Who the hell is in there?" A girl's loud, irritated voice snapped me out of my torment.
She banged the door furiously. I quickly grabbed my waitress dress, slipping it off, and stepped out.
"Are you deaf? Idiot! I've been banging the door for so long!" she yelled, shoving me aside as she stormed into the changing room.
My legs dragged me through the hallway toward the manager's office to return the dress. Just as I turned the corner, a booming laugh echoed.
"Adrain! Man! You won't believe it—she's here."
Peter's voice.
My foot froze mid-step. My body turned to ice.
"You were right! I shouldn't have taken her lightly," he snarled through gritted teeth. "That bitch came here to reveal me."
"I won't leave her today."
He clapped Adrain's shoulder, hugging him tightly. "Thanks a lot, man, for your help." Then he went toward the stairs.
My breath stopped.
Adrain. With him.
His care. His words. His protection. Everything—just a lie.
Why? How could he do this? How could he go so low?
I didn't even realize my own feet were carrying me toward him.
ADRAIN POV
"Thanks a lot, man, for your help," Peter said, hugging me before heading off.
I smirked to myself. What an idiot. He doesn't even know what he's doing.
But as I turned my head… I saw her.
Eira.
Walking toward me.
What the hell? What is she doing here?
"You! What are you doing here? Why are you still here? I told y—"
My words died in my throat as a sharp slap cracked across my face.
The sting burned, but her eyes—red, swollen, overflowing with tears—struck deeper than the slap ever could.
I froze. My anger vanished. My words vanished.
"You… why? Why did you do this?" Her voice cracked, trembling with pain.
"You did all this… for money?"
"Money! How much money do you want?"
"Tell me! How much?"
"Did you ever think about Claira? About her child?"
Her voice shattered, breaking into sobs.
"How could you go so low, Adrain? I… I don't even know why, but I felt you weren't bad. Why, Adrain? Why? He'll murder her child!"
Her sobs broke into my chest like knives. She dropped to the floor, broken, crying, her body shaking.
EIRA POV
"No… I can't let this happen." I pushed myself up from the ground, wiping my tears with trembling hands.
I took a step toward the stairs—but a hand clamped around mine, stopping me cold.
"Adrain, leave my hand."
"I need to save her!" I fought to pull away, struggling against his grip.
But he didn't even look at me. His jaw was clenched, his face unreadable as he dragged me in the opposite direction.
"Adrain! Please, let me save her! Please! Please—let me go!"
But he didn't listen. Didn't even meet my eyes.
"What goes around comes around, remember this," I cried, desperation making my voice sharp. "What if today… it was Andy?"
In an instant, I was slammed hard against the wall. The air burst out of my lungs as he loomed over me, his eyes black with fury.
"Don't you dare say her name," he growled, voice low and murderous.
"I'll kill you with my bare hands."
"Why? Because she's your sister?" My voice shook, but I forced the words out.
"You think that dumb report can reveal him?" His voice was sharp, venom dripping. "I want him to confess. Out loud. From his own filthy mouth."
Before I could reply, he stepped closer—his breath hot against me—then turned and stormed away.
Confused, trembling, I stumbled after him.
EIRA POV
He entered the engagement hall. The crowd parted around him as his presence alone demanded silence. He grabbed a champagne bottle, his eyes flicking briefly to me—then he smashed it on the floor. The room went dead silent.
"Oops! Sorry, guys! The party is hell boring." His smirk cut through the air like a blade.
"No party is complete without some drama, right? So here—presenting a gift for your lovely couple."
He strode straight to Tessy, grabbed her hand, and pulled her to the center of the hall. She stared at him, confused, trembling.
"Here's a short film for you."
"Lights OFF!"
Darkness swallowed the hall. Then, a blinding white light burst onto the giant screen.
And what I saw froze my blood.
Peter.
Towering over Claira, who was cornered, trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I can't believe you came here," he roared. "You dare to show your face!"
"Please… I'm sorry. Please, let me go!" Claira begged, backing away.
He laughed. A cruel, chilling sound.
"You came here to say the truth, right? Then say it! Say the truth!"
"No! Please! I beg you!" she sobbed.
"I SAID SAY IT!" His roar shook the room as he smashed the glass table into shards.
He grabbed her hair, yanking her head back, slapping her hard across the face.
"So let me say it for you!" he snarled. "Where's the proof?!" He dragged her across the room, yanking drawers open violently.
"Oh, look here! Is this the proof?" His mocking voice dripped poison. He contorted his face in mock fear. "Oh God, I'm so scared. You'll reveal me?"
He laughed again, cruel and loud.
"You think anyone will believe that I, Peter Dawn, am the father of your bastard child?" He jerked her hair tighter.
"No, my dear sweet Claira… no one will believe you. I'll prove those papers are fake in seconds."
His eyes burned with madness as he sneered. "Do you remember what I did with Eira? I can prove you're nothing but a prostitute with a click of my fingers."
He leaned close to her ear, whispering like venom. "But I don't want to waste my time. Today, I'll end you—and this bloody child."
He pulled a knife from his pocket, raising it—
But a hand caught his wrist.
Adrain.
"Not so soon, my dear friend," his voice thundered.
Peter's eyes widened. "You… what are you doing here? I'll kill this bloody bi—"
His words choked off as Adrain's fist smashed into his jaw, sending him crashing to the floor.
"Don't you dare say a word about her. Or her baby." Adrain's voice was death itself as he punched him again, blood spraying from Peter's mouth.
"You're with her," Peter spat through blood, glaring up.
"No one will believe you."
Adrain gripped his collar, lifted him half off the ground, and snarled into his face.
"Wake up, dear friend. Now smile for the camera."
Peter's eyes widened in terror as Adrain twisted his head toward the recording lens.