Chapter 7: It Can't Be!

Samantha POV

"What's wrong with you, Samantha? Are you okay?" Adrian asked, helping me up.

"Are you fine, dear? You startled every one of us," Adrian's mother rushed to my side, worry etched across her face.

I couldn't form a single sentence. My eyes remained glued to Steven, who was staring back at me with even more shock than I felt. His face had gone pale, his lips slightly parted, as if he had seen a ghost.

"What's wrong with you?" Adrian's father asked sternly. "Why are you staring at my younger son in that manner?"

Younger son? The words slammed into my chest.

I wanted a miracle, anything to prove that Adrian and Steven were not brothers. But no. They were brothers. They were blood, a family.

Someone wake me up from this nightmare, because there is no way my ex and my husband are brothers.

"Is she even with us?" Adrian's mom asked anxiously. "Maybe she's shocked because of the pregnancy. We need to take her to the hospital to keep her and my grandchild safe."

"Hospital? No," I said quickly, shaking my head. "I'm fine. It's just that your youngest son looks like someone I know."

I hoped desperately that was true. But the look on Steven's face told me I was lying to myself.

"I'm sorry for causing such a scene," I muttered sincerely. "It wasn't my intention."

"It's nothing, as long as you're fine," Adrian's mom said calmly. So far, she seemed to be the nicest person in the family.

"Thank you so much, ma," I said, trying to return to my seat, but she quickly pulled me back.

"No! You can't do that. There are pieces of broken glass all over the place. It could harm you."

"You shouldn't put yourself at risk like that," she added firmly, guiding me away.

"Yes, Samantha, you shouldn't play such dangerous games with your life, especially now that you're pregnant," Adrian's sister said. It was the first time she was addressing me directly.

"Let's go to the parlor and relax," Adrian cut in. "I'll ask one of the maids to massage you."

I looked at him, wondering what was going through his mind. He had seen the way I stared at his brother. I prayed he wasn't forming dangerous conclusions.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll take her to the parlor," Adrian said, leading me away.

There was a light smile tugging at the corner of his lips, but somehow, I felt more uneasy than comforted.

As we walked away, I looked back one last time. Everyone's eyes were still on me, but Steven's gaze spoke louder than all of theirs combined. It was filled with uncertainty, recognition, and a question neither of us dared to ask aloud.

There was no doubt about it. He recognized me.

And I was shocked that he didn't cause a scene, just like me, he swallowed his shock whole.

"I'll be in the bathroom," I heard him excuse himself and walked away, leaving the rest of the family to wonder the strange chemistry that had just erupted between him and I.

"What did you mean when you said my brother looked like someone you know?" Adrian's question caught me off guard.

I turned to him, unsure of what to say. My lips quivered in hesitation as my mind scrambled for an answer.

"I asked you a question, Samantha," he repeated, his eyes fixed on me, cold and unreadable as always.

"I... yeah," I stammered. "He looks like a close friend from my former neighborhood."

I hadn't realized I could come up with a lie that fast. I searched his face, hoping he bought it.

"Your neighborhood?" he repeated slowly.

My heart skipped. What if he had caught the lie? I knew it wouldn't end well.

He went quiet, and somehow, his silence terrified me more than his words ever could. I studied his face, wondering if he was already piecing things together.

"I just hope you're telling me the truth, Samantha," he finally said, that deadly smile creeping onto his lips. "I don't treat lies fairly. I just thought I should inform you early."

He tucked my hair behind my ear. The touch felt more like a warning than affection.

"Sit here. I'll get a maid to give you a massage," he added, the smile still plastered on his face as he walked away.

I followed him with my eyes and his words echoed loudly in my head.

"I don't treat lies fairly". What have I gotten myself into?

What if the truth comes out?

What if he starts digging?

What if he finds a clue?

My thoughts spiraled and my chest tightened. Suddenly, I felt overwhelmed.

I glanced around, no sign of Adrian or a maid. Taking advantage of the moment, I hurried toward the bathroom.

I was feeling pressed and had to button it down.

I took the stairs leading to the toilet immediately. Halfway there, a strong grip wrapped around my wrist.

My heart shattered as I realized who it was. Steven.

He stood right in front of me, his hand gripping mine more firmly.

My eyes spoke the words my mouth couldn't, shock, disbelief, fear. I tried to pull away, forcing myself to react.

"What are you doing? Let me go," I whispered urgently.

But my efforts were useless. He pulled me closer.

"Come with me," he said quietly.

Before I could protest, he dragged me into the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind us.

Chapter 8: Don't Ignore Me!

Samantha POV.....

"Come with me," he said, not giving me a chance to decide before dragging me into the bathroom and slamming the door shut behind us.

"What are you doing? Let me go!" I finally broke free from his grip, my eyes blazing with anger as my chest heaved. "What's wrong with you? Have you gone mad?"

I still couldn't understand what gave him the audacity to do this, or why.

"What's wrong with me?" he scoffed, tightening his grip. "You shameless bitch. Are you seriously asking me that?" my eyes widened at his remark. Shameless bitch?

"Who are you calling a shameless bitch, huh?" I tried not to raise my voice, but my irritation bled through.

I watched as he paced back and forth with clenched fists, as if struggling to stop himself from doing something reckless. I stood in a corner of the bathroom, my back pressed against the wall.

His behavior only made me angrier. I was the one who had every right to be furious, not him. After everything he had done to me,what right did he have?

Memories crashed into my mind like wildfire, the beatings, the betrayal, the pain, the trauma he put me through.

"You think I don't know what you're doing?" he stepped closer snatching me out of chain of thoughts, a twisted grin on his face.

I glared at him, wishing I could grab his neck and strangle him to his own death.

He scoffed and pulled closer, until his breathe fell on my neck. "Step back" I pulled away in irritation. Everything about him getting on my last nerves.

"You're trying to get back with me, aren't you?" he rolled out clicking his tongue.

"What?!" My tongue almost escaped my lips, my hands clenched by the side.

"You know Adrian is my brother, and you married him just to get close to me, didn't you?" The words hit me like a slap.

My heart echoed with anger, my ears ringing. Is that what he had reduced me to?

I bit down on my lower lip, forcing myself not to explode. Yelling would alert everyone, especially Adrian. Being caught together in the bathroom would only make things worse. It would make me look cheap and desperate, and I wasn't going down that road again.

"Answer me when I'm talking to you, Samantha," he snapped, shaking me roughly.

I glared at him, my eyes screaming a warning.

"Get your filthy hands off me, Steven," I said through clenched teeth.

I was losing control. I curled my fists tighter, trying to suppress the storm inside me, but it refused to settle.

He chuckled and stepped back. "So now you've found the courage to challenge me?" A smirk tugged at his lips, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"You can talk back now?" He moved closer again, placing his hands above my head, trapping me.

I stared at him unflinching. I wasn't scared anymore, not of him, not of his past beatings.

"What did you expect, Steven?" I scoffed bitterly. "That I would tremble and hide the moment I saw you? That I would let you walk all over me again?" shock flickered across his face.

He laughed dryly, trying to mask it. "I see. You've grown bold because you're married to my brother... and...." His eyes dropped to my stomach...."pregnant for him." Pain crept into his voice, he couldn't hide it and I wondered what that meant.

"How long has this madness been going on?" His gaze stayed glued to my stomach.

Watching his eyes remain on my stomach, panic slowly flooded my anger away.

What if he touches it?

What if he realizes it's fake?

If he exposes me, Adrian will blame me for everything.

"No... I can't let that happen." I pulled away slightly, breaking his stare.

"Don't move, Samantha." My breath caught in my throat as he stepped closer, his eyes still fixed on my stomach.

My heartbeat thundered with each step he took. I instinctively placed my hands over my belly, and no matter how hard I tried to steady myself, my trembling betrayed me.

He was only Inches away.

I closed my eyes, whispering a silent prayer. Steven was dangerous, reckless, violent, but worse, he was intelligent. He always uncovered the truth, no matter how well it was hidden.

I didn't open my eyes until I felt his warm breath brush against my neck.

"Did you think I forgot you?" he whispered. "Or that this pregnancy ..." he glanced at my stomach with scorn before returning his gaze to me, "...would scare me away?"

I stared at him, confused and shaken at the same time. Before I could speak, his lips crashed onto mine and my world froze.

"Tell me you don't love me," he murmured as he pulled back, searching my stunned eyes. "Tell me you didn't miss me."

I stood motionless, trying to comprehend what had just happened. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, just as shocked.

"Tell me you didn't enjoy that kiss," he whispered into my ear.

That was it. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The sound echoed and he held his face firmly, his eyes wide with shock.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I snapped, my voice trembling with fury. "Are you insane? How dare you touch me?"

I wiped my lips aggressively, disgust burning through me.

"What do you think?" My eyes were bloodshot red as I spoke, unable to stop glaring at him. "You think I would run back into your arms after everything you did to me?"

My fists clenched, and before he could react, I slammed a punch into his stomach.

He doubled over in shock, clutching his abdomen, but the disbelief in his eyes was even louder than his pain.

"Listen," I continued, my voice trembling but firm. "I am not the Samantha you left behind. Not that scared girl who loved you blindly and trusted you with her entire heart."

I swallowed hard, my throat burning.

"That girl you broke... the one you treated so unfairly because she gave you everything..." my voice cracked, "...I am not her anymore."

Tears streamed down my face, my emotions spilling uncontrollably.

"You think I would forget everything so easily?" I wiped my tears angrily and tapped my chest. "I, Samantha Williams, will never forget what you did to me...and I will never forgive you. So get that straight." I jabbed my index finger at his face as I spoke.

"So don't even dream of it. Don't ever try to talk to me again. We are done, done for good. As it stands now, we are nothing but in-laws, and I want it to stay that way."

I shoved his hands away and turned toward the sink.

My reflection stared back at me weakly. I looked exhausted. My mascara was smeared from crying, my makeup ruined, my lipstick messed up from that unwanted kiss.

Disgust churned in my stomach just remembering it.

I wiped my lips again, the memory of the kiss making my skin crawl. I wish I could cut my lips off and grow new ones.

I leaned forward and splashed water on my face. My makeup was ruined anyway, and I didn't want anyone in the house seeing me like this.

When I lifted my head again, I barely recognized myself-but I looked stronger.

I grabbed a towel and wiped my face, then turned around.

Steven was still standing exactly where I left him, stunned, confused, and speechless.

I didn't say a word. I returned the towel and moved toward the door, but his grip caught my wrist.

"Don't think I'll give up on you so easily," he said quietly. "I will come back for you, even if it means exposing our past."

I yanked my hand free and slapped him again, harder this time.

"I would rather go back to a goat than ever come back to you," I snapped, my eyes blazing with hatred.

I shoved the door open forcefully and froze.

Standing right outside was Adrian.

His face was calm, unreadable, his eyes perfectly hiding whatever storm brewed beneath. Oh my God!