Brinda's P. O. V

Jason paced the room like a man on edge, his steps tracing the same line over and over, like a scratched vinyl stuck on a chaotic loop. He looked like a psycho-no steering wheel, no brakes-just bottled rage spinning in circles.

I watched him, my arms folded across my chest, silently daring him to explode.

He paused, one hand rubbing his jaw like he could massage the truth out of it. His eyes lifted-sharp, unblinking-and locked on mine.

"You should've told me," he said flatly. But that look... that look could've stripped the paint off walls.

I stepped forward, heart racing, fists clenching. "Do you fucking think I knew I was carrying your baby, Jason?" My voice cracked under the weight of unshed tears. "Seriously?"

A beat of silence pulsed between us. He stared, lips drawn tight, chest heaving with unspoken words.

Then he said the most absurd thing I'd ever heard in my life.

"You're coming with me. No child of mine is going to be born into that poverty-stricken life you're living."

I blinked. Once. Twice. My jaw dropped.

It was the audacity for me-the sheer fucking gall to assume I was some gold-digging mess trying to trap him with a baby.

"Let me make this clear," I hissed, stepping forward with a fire I didn't know I had left. "I'm getting an abortion. Whether you like it or not. My body, my rules. Got that?"

I turned to leave. Whatever was left of my dignity.

But his hand snapped around my wrist like a steel trap.

His voice dropped, calm but chilling. "I hate repeating myself."

I froze. The hair on my neck stood up.

"Fine. Since this is about decisions... here's mine.", He snapped, leading me in shock.

Then he said it.

"I'll pay you four million dollars. Half now. The rest after the baby's born."

The air left my lungs.

Four million.

My knees almost buckled, but pride kept me standing. "My heart screamed yes. My mind begged for air."

"You think money fixes everything? Try owing someone who'd sell your soul for spare change." I snapped, his eyes still fixed on me.

And still-somewhere deep inside-I wanted this child. I really did. But I wanted it on my terms.

"My child deserves better," I whispered.

"Then it's settled," Jason cut in sharply. "You'll move in. We co-exist until the child is born. No arguments."

The words slapped harder than his offer.

He didn't see me. He saw the problem-and a price tag.

"I'll call my lawyer," he added coldly. "We'll draw up a contract."

He pulled his phone out, rummaging through his pockets like a madman. Just then, the doorbell rang-sharp, loud, slicing through the tension.

We both froze.

"Did you invite someone over?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

"No," I replied, suddenly on edge. My hands fidgeted with the hem of my dress as unease crawled down my spine.

Jason moved toward the door, his silhouette towering against the soft light of the hallway. I watched him-broad shoulders tense, one hand brushing the doorknob.

The scent of his cologne still lingered in the air, intoxicating, and for a moment I forgot how badly things had spiraled.

Until he called my name.

"Brinda!" he barked. "Get over here."

I braced myself, expecting more drama-but what I saw made my stomach churn.

Standing in the doorway was my worst nightmare wearing red lipstick and a devil's grin.

"Hello, Brinda," she said with a mock-innocent lilt. "I see you've upgraded... but the game's over, sweetheart. Time's up."

Her voice curled like smoke in the air.

"I'm Miss Cash," she added, her eyes sliding to Jason. "And I'm here for my treasure."

Jason turned toward me, confused. "What the hell is going on?"

I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. Shame swallowed me whole.

"And just like that, the walls I built cracked wide open. I was exposed. And it was all true."

Miss Cash tilted her head with a mocking pout. "She didn't tell you, did she? Your sweet little baby mama is a whore who owes me money. And I'm here to collect what's mine."

Jason stepped back, recoiling like he'd been slapped. His eyes burned into me with betrayal and something darker.

"Wait. What the fuck?!"

And just like that, the floor caved beneath my feet.

Jason stared at me like I was the bullet he hadn't seen coming.

I opened my mouth to speak.

But no words came.

Jason P.O.V

I can't believe what I'm hearing - it shattered my heart into a million pieces. My inner demons were fighting to stand strong as I looked at her with so much disgust.

I fought back the tears forcing their way out, but I knew she wasn't worth them.

I tried to make sense of her betrayal, but Mrs Cash's voice cut through as she kept hammering on about the money she was owned, which angered every fiber in my being.

Before I could speak, Mrs. Cash intervened, "Oh, it's such a pity that your fairytale comes to an end... but reality doesn't care," she said, her grin dripping with mischief.

I kept wondering how I would react to this situation when I suddenly felt a hand trying to hold mine, and I snapped immediately. "Don't you dare touch me," I snapped, my glare dripping with loathing, still clenching my fists to steady my anger.

My eyes kept staring at the smug, aging woman standing shamelessly at my doorstep while my fist clenched and unclenched with restrained fury.

I looked straight at Brinda, my anger blinding me, and I slammed my fist on the wall next to her in rage.

"I can't believe I just did that - this isn't me", my mind kept repeating while staring at my unlawful action.

A piece of me wanted to apologize to her for my sudden action, but I was so consumed by her betrayal that I only wished she felt what I did.

She looked at me with so much shock, but I left her and turned my eyes to the major problem.

"Miss Cash, you need to get the hell out of my property - before I call the police. And I hate to repeat myself."

Before I could further vent my anger, she hushed me and said, "Darling, you know you shouldn't hit a pregnant woman. My timing was wrong, but don't worry-I'll be back.

She entered her SUV and zoomed off while I kept staring at the broken presence standing beside me.

"J-Jason... p-please... forgive me," she sobbed. But all I felt was cold resentment.

"Jason, if you don't want me around, just say so. I can't keep enduring your cruelty - it's tearing me apart." She kept pouring out of her tender lips.

"Maybe it's best if I end this pregnancy - so we can both finally have peace. I won't let my past ruin our future." She stuttered, with tears flowing down her flushed cheeks.

She turned to leave. A part of me wanted her close, but the questions kept screaming - why would she hide something this big, especially with my child inside her?

As she was about to exit the door, I knew if she left I would somehow feel guilty, which I quickly grabbed her wrist, slowing my breathing to calm my anger.

"You're staying - at least until the baby's born", I said firmly, fighting back the aching pain I felt even though I didn't know Brinda, our bodies kept, electrifying which was still a mystery to me.

I drew her close. Our faces inches apart. Her lips trembled slightly parted. But I couldn't read her anymore when I suddenly heard a tiny voice ringing in my head: "Miss Cash... She didn't tell you, huh? Your precious girl's not so innocent - and she still owes me."

I suddenly created a gap between us and redirected my face, knowing it would leave her in pain, but I felt she truly deserved it and nothing less.

"If you need anything, make yourself at home - but cross me again, and you'll regret it." I said, staring at her as I climbed the stairs, desperate to escape the wreckage of this night.

Once I noticed I was out of Brinda's sight, I hurried to my room wondering how her past tied to Miss Cash.

I ran a hand down my face, pacing in circles, desperate to try to know what she's hiding, and what she'll do if she ever finds out about mine.

I threw myself into bed instantly, wondering my next course of action.

"I need to uncover her past - before it pulls me under too," I thought, drowning in a sea of endless questions.

Brinda's P.O.V

Jason's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as every word landed like a blow. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, my feet felt glued to the floor.

"Oh, what a touching little fairytale you two were living- too bad reality doesn't care," she said with a sinister gaze. "Now, I need my money, Brinda. And you know what they say-"money makes the world dance." Her gaze sliced through me, dripping with venom.

I was so frozen, unsure how to handle the situation or reach out to Jason, whose eyes revealed hidden pain.

My hands twitched at his side, but his stony stare stopped me. His eyes flickered, stormy and unreadable, as if they held years of unanswered questions. I reached out for Jason's hand, hoping he'd sense what I couldn't say aloud - but his reaction caught me off guard.

"Don't you dare touch me, you disgust me" He snapped. I stared at him, my body frozen in shock.

He looked straight through me, like I was an old photograph he no longer recognized. I knew this was the beginning of my end, as his clenched fists held all the anger inside him.

Before I could speak, he turned and walked to the door-like he needed distance from the stench of betrayal. I stood there, confused.

Miss Cash's smirk curled like a serpent's tail. I felt my stomach twist - she was savoring every second of destruction.

He kept staring at Miss Cash, which confused me about his next move-but I prayed it would go in my favor.

Before my mind could wander, a heavy smack landed on my face, leaving the room in stunned silence.

"You disgust me. And if this child turns out to be mine... it won't change a thing. You'll still mean nothing," he said, his hands still suspended in the air.

He faced Miss Cash and requested her to leave his premises or things would get ugly, which she accepted without hesitation, and I knew it smelt more trouble.

"Darling, you know you shouldn't hit a pregnant woman. Looks like I chose the wrong moment to drop the rest of my bombs. No matter-I'll be back," she smirked, flipping her middle finger as she silently mouthed, "I will be back," which left me trembling for help.

She entered her SUV and zoomed off, leaving me alone to face the aftermath - just like always. It burned - like every betrayal I had ever survived, clawing at my throat all over again.

I turned my head toward Jason, heart thudding, searching for even a flicker of warmth. But his eyes were sunken, lost in some internal war I couldn't fight with him.

"Jason, p–please. You have to listen to me. At least give me a chance to explain," I pleaded, on my knees - but he just stared through me like I was a ghost.

"If you don't want me around, I understand. I'd never cause you pain. Maybe it's best... I abort the child - for both our freedom," My hands trembled. But all I got was silence - louder than any scream he could've given me.

Just as I shifted my foot, fingers wrapped around my wrist - firm, trembling. I turned slowly, my breath caught. It was Jason.

"You're not going anywhere until my child is born. And get ready - we have a public convention tomorrow. No drama," he said, our eyes momentarily locked...but I could notice a sense of hurt on his face even when he tried to mask it from me.

We were so close to each other, but before I knew what was happening, I felt a sudden gap between us and his face back to square one.

"If you need anything, make yourself at home. And I repeat - do not disturb me, or you'll face the consequences," he warned, disappearing upstairs. I stood in a silence so thick it just burned and stayed, unsure whether to run, scream, or collapse.

"She found me. And if she found me once, she'll do it again." I wrapped my arms around myself, cold despite the air. "No more hiding. No more hoping. I have to be sharper. Stronger. Ready." with my hands ruffling my hair.

I walked slowly to the kitchen hoping to get a pain relief when my eyes glimpsed the alcohol section. It was the only thing that listened when I cried. The only friend that never asked questions - just burned,and stayed.

My hands trembled as I gripped the bottle, its cool glass anchoring me. I took another gulp, trying to drown the shiver crawling down my spine. Just a little more. Just until the shaking stops. But it didn't. Not really.

I set the empty bottle down, the burn still lingering in my throat. The silence wrapped around me like a noose-until the doorbell rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Each chime louder than the last.

I hesitated. Jason was upstairs. The house was locked. No one should be here.

With slow steps, I approached the door, peeking through the side window.

Nothing.

Then, just as I reached for the knob-

A crisp white envelope slid beneath the door.

No return name. No stamp. Just my name.

Brinda.

With trembling fingers, I tore it open.

Inside, a single photograph.

Jason.

In bed.

With her.

Miss Cash's lipstick smeared across his chest like war paint.

And beneath it, a note scrawled in her cruel handwriting:

"You thought I was the villain? Sweetheart, you haven't even met the monster."

I dropped the photo.

My vision blurred.

But my rage-oh, it had never been clearer.

Still, something inside me - small, stubborn, unyielding - refused to break. With every burning swallow, courage sparked like flint against stone. Miss Cash had started a war - but I wasn't going down easy.