Lila

A sharp sting in the back of my hand pulled me from the haze of unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered, heavy and sluggish, as I blinked against the sterile light of the hospital room. An IV drip was attached to the back of my hand, and the faint beeping of machines filled the silence.

"She's awake-call the doctor," a nurse's voice cut through the fog.

I turned my head slightly, finding a kind-eyed nurse rushing to my side. She was middle-aged, with a warm smile that somehow managed to put me at ease, even amidst the confusion clawing at my chest.

"Are you feeling okay, sweetie?" She asked, gently taking my blood pressure.

I nodded weakly, my throat too dry to form words. She handed me a glass of water, her gaze softening with pity.

"You need to be extra careful now," She said, her tone firm but caring. "I know life can get hectic, especially for someone your age, but you have to prioritize your health first. In your condition, it's critical."

Her words didn't make sense, but before I could respond, the door opened, and the doctor walked in, his face stern as he reviewed a file handed to him by another nurse.

"As expected..." he muttered.

The weight of his disappointment sent a ripple of unease through me. My pulse quickened as his eyes met mine, his expression softening into a practiced smile.

"Miss," he began gently, "I understand that many women worry about their weight these days, but skipping meals can be harmful-especially to your baby's health. Malnutrition affects development during pregnancy, and..."

"Baby?" The word slipped from my lips, my voice barely a whisper.

The room seemed to tilt, and my heart stopped in my chest.

Pregnant?

My hands trembled as realization dawned. I'd missed my period this month, but I'd attributed it to stress, the chaos of my life. Not once had it occurred to me that...

My mind raced back to that night at the club, to the stranger who had left an imprint on my body and soul. My hands instinctively moved to my stomach. "Doctor..." My voice cracked, trembling with fear and hope. "Is my baby okay?"

"Yes, he's fine," the doctor reassured me with a small smile. "But you must take better care of yourself. For your sake and the baby's."

I exhaled shakily, my emotions a chaotic storm. Relief that the baby was unharmed mingled with dread at the road ahead.

The door opened again, and a man I didn't recognize stepped into the room. His jaw was tense, his amber eyes scanning the scene as he moved toward the doctor. "Is she okay? Is she out of danger?" He asked, his voice filled with urgency.

The doctor's smile widened, and he glanced between the stranger and me. "Ah, you must be her husband. Congratulations-you're going to be a father soon."

My mouth fell open, but before I could correct him, the man stepped forward, his lips curving into a charming, confident smile. "Thank you, Doctor. I'll make sure to take care of them both," he said smoothly, his eyes meeting mine with a tad of relief.

The doctor began rattling off dietary recommendations and prescriptions, speaking as though this man were truly my partner. My thoughts spiraled, returning to the reality I'd been avoiding.

The father of my baby wasn't this stranger. It was the man from that night-the one whose name I didn't even know but had dreamed of a lot since the night I spent with him.

How could I have been so reckless? I'd ruined everything. If I hadn't run from the engagement, my father and Sheldon would've forced me to terminate this pregnancy. But now...now I had a choice. I would raise this child alone, far from their toxicity and control.

"Hey," the stranger's voice broke through my thoughts, his hand waving casually in front of my face.

I blinked, meeting his curious gaze, my confusion giving way to irritation.

"Care to tell me what's going on? Why didn't you correct the doctor when he assumed you're the father of my baby?" I demanded, my tone light but threaded with annoyance.

His lips twitched into a small smile as he perched himself on the edge of my bed. "Calm down. You need to stay relaxed-for the sake of our baby," he said jokingly, his voice thick with mock concern.

I shot him a glare so cold it could've frozen the air between us. "Don't joke about this."

He raised his hands in surrender, his smile faltering. "Fine. I get it. You're not in the mood for humor. My bad." His expression sobered, his gaze steady on mine. "I had to lie to the doctor."

"Why?" My arms crossed over my chest, my face set in an unreadable mask.

"You were accidentally hit by my car," he admitted, his tone low, as if saying the words aloud might make it worse.

My jaw dropped, and I stared at him in stunned disbelief. "That was your car? You could've killed my baby!" I shrieked, my voice rising as a rush of anger bubbled in my chest.

He winced but didn't back down. "No, I wouldn't have. Look at you-you don't have a scratch on you. I pulled the brakes the moment I saw you, but by the time the car stopped, you'd already fainted. I swear, it wasn't as bad as it sounds," he explained quickly, his words tumbling over each other. "If I were a bad person, would I have brought you to the hospital? Would I have stayed here to make sure you were okay?"

His words, however maddening, had a thread of truth to them.

"I'm here to make amends," he added, his tone softer now.

I narrowed my eyes, weighing his sincerity.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek card, holding it out to me. "Look, I know you're going to raise this baby on your own, and when I brought you here, it was clear you weren't doing great. I want to help you-whatever you need. Consider it my way of making things right."

Hesitantly, I took the card, my eyes scanning the embossed name: Julian. Beneath it, the title Manager glinted. He worked for one of the most powerful companies in the country.

The weight of my predicament pressed down on me like an anchor. I couldn't keep this baby on a waitress's salary, not while hiding from Sheldon, my father, and their search parties.

"Can you really help me?" My voice wavered, the vulnerability in it foreign even to my own ears. "I need a job-and a way to hide my identity."

Julian's lips curved into an easy, reassuring smile. "Consider it done. But..." He cocked an eyebrow, his curiosity apparent. "Mind telling me who you're running from?"

I stiffened, the question a crack in the fragile trust I was trying to have. "If you want to help me," I said firmly, "don't ask me any questions."

His brows lifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Then, he shrugged, his grin returning. "Fair enough. Deal."

Lila

The doctor discharged me shortly after, and Julian insisted on driving me back to my dorm. Considering my baby's safety, I hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. The air in the car was thick with silence, awkward and heavy, neither of us quite sure how to fill it.

When we reached my dorm, the car screeched to a halt, and Julian got out quickly, moving to help me. I hated the weakness I felt as I leaned on him, my body still protesting from the strain I'd put it through over the past month.

"This way," I muttered, leading him toward the stairs.

As soon as we stepped inside, a loud moan echoed from the room next door, followed by a round of laughter. I winced, heat rising to my cheeks.

Julian raised a brow, his face clouding with concern. "I don't think you should be staying in a place like this," he said firmly, his voice laced with disapproval.

"I can't afford anything better," I replied with a shrug, pressing my lips together to suppress my embarrassment.

Once inside my small room, Julian scanned the cramped space with a critical eye. The way his nose wrinkled, as if he could smell the peeling paint and damp air, made me shrink inwardly.

"You shouldn't be here," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This area isn't safe, and this room..." He gestured vaguely. "This room isn't fit for you, let alone your baby."

I sank onto the edge of my bed, unsure of how to respond.

"I have a villa in town," He continued, his amber eyes locking on mine. "It's spacious, quiet, and secure. You can move in. There are plenty of empty rooms."

The offer stunned me. "No," I said quickly, shaking my head. "You're already doing more than enough. I can't accept that."

Julian crossed the small space between us and crouched down, taking my hands gently in his. His intense gaze bore into mine, and I felt my resolve waver.

"Take it as a loan," he said softly. "You can pay me back whenever you're able. But for now, think of your baby. You need a better environment-safer, cleaner."

His face was so close to mine, his sincerity palpable, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to pause. My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't find the strength to argue.

Swallowing hard, I finally nodded. "Okay," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

A small smile broke across his face, his relief evident. I cleared my throat, pulling my hands from his as I tried to regain my composure.

"Ahem, well...thank you," I stammered, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face.

Julian chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck, his earlier confidence replaced by a nervous energy. "Let's pack your stuff," he said, his voice light but warm.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like I wasn't alone.

*******

Taking a shower in a clean, modern bathroom-complete with a luxurious jacuzzi tub-felt like a dream. I couldn't stop the small smile spreading across my face as I dried my hair, glancing at my reflection in the mirror.

My collarbones jutted out more than they should, a stark reminder of how much weight and muscle I'd lost. Running away had taken a toll on me in more ways than one.

My hand instinctively rested on my stomach, where I noticed the faintest swell-something I would've dismissed as bloating if not for the hospital visit.

"You're lucky, baby," I murmured softly, rubbing my abdomen as if my little one could sense my touch. "Since I found out about you, things have started looking up. The Goddess sent a good man to help us."

I hoped, with everything in me, that my baby could feel the love and promise I poured into those words.

A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Lila?" Julian's voice was warm but gentle.

I quickly changed into a comfortable T-shirt and shorts before opening the door.

"The dinner's ready," he said with a smile, gesturing for me to follow.

As we walked through the villa, I couldn't help but admire its design. The walls were painted a soft ivory, complemented by beige and gray accents. The furniture was sleek and modern, yet the space felt cozy. It was a home that exuded quiet elegance-a stark contrast to the cramped dorm I'd just left behind.

When we reached the dining area, my eyes widened at the feast before me. The table was packed with an array of dishes.

"Did you cook all of this?" I asked, half in disbelief.

Julian smirked, his expression dripping with playful pride. "I'm a pretty good chef," he said, shrugging. Then he leaned in conspiratorially, adding, "Though I did have help from my cook."

I rolled my eyes, giggling. "So basically, you handed the cook a list of dishes and supervised from the sidelines?"

"Well," he said with a sheepish grin, "I had to fulfill my duty as a good husband by ensuring you and our baby get the right nutrients. The doctor scared me enough today."

The teasing glint in his eyes made me laugh, even as I shot him a mock glare.

Julian handed me a plate of shepherd's pie. "Go on, try it," he urged.

I took a tentative bite, and the flavors exploded in my mouth. The richness of onion and garlic mingled perfectly with just the right kick of chili. It was incredible, even spicier than the usual shepherd's pie.

Julian noticed the way my eyes lit up and quickly filled a glass of water. "I'm sorry-it's a bit spicier than normal. I forgot to tell the chef to tone it down."

I shook my head, giggling. "It's perfect. Actually, could you pass me the chili flakes?"

His brow arched in surprise. "Really? You like spicy food too?"

I nodded, and his smile widened. He returned from the kitchen with the chili flakes, watching with amusement as I sprinkled them generously onto my plate.

I dove into the rest of the dishes-grilled salmon, dim sum, and sushi.

"You eat like a kid at a candy store," Julian remarked with a soft chuckle. "It's...cute. I wonder how you're going to manage a baby when you're still a kid at heart yourself."

His words stung, reminding me of the man who was the father of this baby. Did he even care? Would he ever? No. I was nothing to him. Just another client.

Julian's smile faltered as he noticed my mood shift. "I didn't mean to offend you," he said quickly, his tone apologetic.

I shook my head. "It's fine. Look, this wasn't planned, but I'm keeping the baby. I'll learn what I need to along the way."

Julian's eyes softened. "Do you mind if I ask...who the father is? Maybe I could help you find him."

The genuine concern in his voice made me pause, but I couldn't risk sharing too much. From his aura and villa, I could figure that he had power, wealth, and influence-things that could inadvertently lead back to my past.

"Remember our deal?" I said, arching a brow.

He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. Looks like I'm the dad by default," he teased, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips.

The sound of my phone vibrating broke through my momentary peace. I picked it up, noticing a series of texts from Sophia. I hadn't checked her messages since before the accident.

The first one made my heart sink:

'Lila, Sheldon is taking over your father's company. Are you okay? Where are you?'

Sheldon? My stomach churned at the thought of him controlling everything my father had built. That wasn't just a power move-it was a calculated act of vengeance.

I swiped to the next message, and my heart skipped a beat:

'Lila, the man you met at the club is my cousin. He wants to see you.'

The air around me seemed to thicken, and the phone nearly slipped from my grasp. Her cousin? The man I'd thought was a call boy-the father of my child-was Sophia's cousin?

The truth slammed into me, leaving my thoughts in chaos, as if my entire world had been flipped upside down in an instant. Questions swirled in my mind, tangling with disbelief. How was this possible? Why hadn't she mentioned it before?

And then there was the final question, the one that sent a shiver down my spine.

Why did he want to see me?

I clutched my stomach instinctively, as though protecting my unborn child from the weight of this new reality.