THE SCARE
Elara couldn't sleep.
Her body felt strange—heavy, restless. Her thoughts wouldn't settle. Serena's threat echoed in her head, mixing with Lucien's arms around her, the warmth she swore she didn't need.
She stared at the ceiling in the dark.
Get it together.
The next morning, she nearly collapsed in the bathroom at work.
Nausea hit her suddenly. Sharp. Overwhelming.
She barely made it to the sink.
Her hands shook as she rinsed her mouth.
"What is wrong with me?" she whispered.
Her period was late.
The realization slammed into her chest.
No… it couldn't be.
She pressed a hand to her stomach, panic crawling up her spine.
---
Later that day
Elara stood in front of a pharmacy, staring at the shelves like they held her fate.
She grabbed a pregnancy test and paid quickly, heart pounding like a drum.
Inside a small café restroom, she locked the door and leaned against it, breathing hard.
This isn't happening.
Minutes felt like hours.
She didn't look.
Couldn't look.
Her phone buzzed.
Lucien:
Where are you? You disappeared.
She ignored it.
Finally… she forced herself to turn.
Her breath caught.
One line.
Not two.
Negative.
Relief crashed through her so hard her knees weakened.
She laughed softly, shaky.
"Thank God…"
But the fear didn't leave.
What if it's too early?
---
Lucien's office
She returned late.
Lucien was pacing when she walked in.
"Where were you?" he demanded.
She avoided his eyes.
"Out."
"That's not an answer."
"I didn't ask permission."
His jaw tightened.
"You disappear after Serena threatens you and you expect me to stay calm?"
"Stop controlling me," she snapped.
He froze.
Then quietly,
"Are you okay?"
She hesitated.
"I felt sick."
Concern flashed across his face.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you're not my guardian."
"Damn it, Elara—"
He stopped himself.
Exhaled slowly.
"I worry," he admitted. "Whether you like it or not."
Her chest tightened.
"I thought I was pregnant," she blurted.
Silence.
Lucien stared at her.
"…And?"
"It was negative," she said quickly. "But—"
He stepped closer.
"But?" he asked quietly.
"But I was scared," she whispered.
His expression softened.
"For a second… I didn't know what I wanted," she confessed. "And that scared me more."
Lucien swallowed.
"If it ever happens…" he said slowly, "I wouldn't run."
Her eyes widened.
"You don't even want me."
"That's a lie," he replied.
Their gazes locked.
Tension filled the room—thick, dangerous, intimate.
"You're playing with fire," she whispered.
"So are you," he answered.
---
Elsewhere
Serena sat across from Evan in a luxury bar.
"She thinks she won," Serena sneered. "But she doesn't know what's coming."
Evan smirked.
"I found something interesting about her past."
Serena leaned forward.
"Tell me."
His eyes gleamed.
"Let's destroy her."