Selene's POV
The door swung open wider and my scream ripped out before I could stop it.
"Get out!"
Alejandro stepped inside anyway, closing the door behind him with a soft click that sounded louder than a gunshot in the quiet room.
"Easy, sweetheart," he said, voice low and amused. "I just wanted to congratulate you properly. You know,welcome to the family."
I backed up until my calves hit the bed, fingers tightening around the heavy crystal lamp base. The cord dangled uselessly. "I said get out. Now."
He raised both hands in mock surrender but kept advancing, slow and deliberate. "Come on, Selene. No need to be dramatic. Carlos isn't here to play hero right now. We can talk."
"I don't want to talk to you."
He stopped a few feet away, eyes flicking to the lamp, then back to my face. "You should. Because Carlos? He's going to chew you up and spit you out when he's done. That's what he does. But me?" He smiled wider. "I can offer you something better. Real freedom after the baby.Not just money but also a way out. No strings attached nor a fake marriage. Just you and whatever life you want once the kid's born."
My stomach twisted. "You think I'd trust you?"
"You shouldn't trust Carlos either." He took another step. "He wrote the contract. He controls the money and he controls you. I'm offering an exit door. Think about it. Nine months is a long time to be trapped in this house with him."
I shook my head, the lamp raised higher. "Get. Out."
Alejandro's smile faded. "You're making this harder than it needs to be."
He lunged.
Not fast enough to scare me completely, but fast enough that instinct took over. I swung the lamp hard. The heavy base caught him across the forearm with a sickening crack. He hissed, stumbling back, clutching the spot. A red welt bloomed instantly on his skin.
"Fuck," he snarled, eyes flashing with real anger now. "You little—"
The door flew open behind him.
Carlos stormed in like a hurricane.
He grabbed Alejandro by the collar and yanked him back so hard the other man's feet almost left the floor.
"I told you to leave her alone," Carlos growled.
Alejandro laughed. "Relax, baby brother. Just having a chat with your fiancée. She's got fire. You didn't tell me that part."
Carlos shoved him toward the door. "Get out before I break more than your arm."
Alejandro straightened his shirt, still smirking despite the bruise. "You're getting soft, Carlos. Used to be you'd just fuck them and forget them. Now you're playing protector?" He glanced at me over Carlos's shoulder. "Careful, sweetheart. He'll still discard you when the baby's born.You are not special."
"Out," Carlos snapped.
Alejandro raised both hands again. "Fine. But we both know how this ends. The clock's ticking." He shot me one last look,a half warning, half promise then sauntered out like nothing had happened.
Carlos slammed the door behind him and locked it. He turned to me, breathing hard.
"Are you hurt?"
I was still holding the lamp like a baseball bat, arms shaking. "No. But he had a key, Carlos."
Carlos crossed the room in two strides, took the lamp gently from my hands, and set it back on the nightstand. "I thought he didn't anymore. I changed the locks after the last time he pulled something like this."
"There was a last time?" My voice cracked.
He didn't answer right away. Just stared at the door like he could burn a hole through it. "He thinks he can get to me through you. He's wrong."
I wrapped my arms around myself. "He said… he said you discard women after they're done. Is that true?"
Carlos looked at me. "I don't discard people. I end arrangements. There's a difference."
"Not to the people being ended."
He exhaled sharply. "You're scared."
"Of course I'm scared! Your brother just broke into my room. He—" I swallowed. "He tried to recruit me. Said he could give me freedom after the baby. Said you'd throw me away."
Carlos's jaw tightened. "He lies and manipulates. That's what he does."
"And you don't?"
He stepped closer. "I'm honest about what I want. An heir and the inheritance. That's it."
I laughed ."Honest?So honest you let him walk around with keys to my room."
"I didn't know he still had one until tonight." His voice dropped. "But I do now. And it won't happen again."
I stared at him. "How do I know that? How do I know any of this is safe?"
"You don't," he said quietly. "But you're safer with me than without me. And you're definitely safer with me than with him."
Silence stretched between us.
I looked away first. "I can't stay in this room tonight. Not after that."
Carlos nodded slowly. "Then come to mine."
My head snapped up. "You said separate bedrooms."
"That was before my brother decided to test the locks." He met my eyes. "I'll sleep on the couch in there. That way if he tries again, I'll be there."
I searched his face. No smirk or mockery. Just tired resolve.
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I need you safe," he said. "And because I hate that he got this close."
The admission hung in the air.
I swallowed. "Fine. But if you try anything—"
"I won't." He stepped back. "Pack what you need. Let's go."
I grabbed my phone and the key from under the pillow. Followed him down the hallway to the master suite.
It was even larger than mine.Dark wood, massive bed, an ocean-view balcony and a separate sitting area with a leather couch. Carlos dragged a blanket and pillow from the closet, tossed them on the couch.
"You take the bed," he said. "I'll be right here."
I nodded, too exhausted to argue.
I crawled under the covers still in the sweater and leggings.
Carlos dimmed the lights and settled on the couch.
"Goodnight, Selene."
"Goodnight," I whispered.
Sleep came in fragments.Restless, haunted by footsteps and clicking locks. But every time I jolted awake, I heard Carlos's steady breathing from the couch.
Morning arrived too soon.
A soft knock at 7:30 a.m. The butler delivered breakfast trays with two cups of coffee, fruit, toast and prenatal vitamins. Carlos was already dressed in a crisp shirt and trousers, hair neat again.
"Clinic at nine," he reminded me. "Eat and get dressed up. The car leaves at 8:15."
I rushed breakfast,showered quickly, chose a simple white blouse and black trousers from the closet.
The drive to the Rodriguez Private Clinic was silent. Carlos stared out the window while I stared at my hands.
The clinic was pristine and adorned with white walls and soft lighting.
A female doctor greeted us with professional warmth."Mr. Rodriguez. Ms. Hayes. Right this way please."
The exam was quick but invasive.There was blood draw, ultrasound, questions about cycles, last period and symptoms.
The doctor reviewed the results on her tablet, then looked up with a small smile.
"Everything looks healthy."
Carlos exhaled quietly.
"And ovulation?" he asked.
The doctor nodded. "She's in her fertile window right now. Peak ovulation is today and tomorrow. If conception is the goal, intercourse in the next forty-eight hours gives the best chance. After that, the window might close until the next cycle."