The room went silent after his words.
"I'm not interested in touching you."
Something about the way he said it…
Cold. Distant.
It stung more than I expected.
I quickly grabbed the edges of the dress, holding it tightly against my body as I stepped away from him.
"Good," I whispered, trying to sound strong. "Because I don't want you to."
A lie.
But I had to survive.
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly.
Like he didn't believe me.
Like he could see right through me.
"Get changed," he said, turning away. "There are clothes in the wardrobe."
I didn't argue.
I rushed into the bathroom, locking the door behind me.
The moment I was alone—
I broke.
My legs gave out as I slid to the floor, my hand flying straight to my stomach.
Tears poured freely now.
"What am I doing…" I whispered shakily.
Married to a stranger.
A dangerous man.
While carrying another man's child.
This wasn't just a mistake.
It was a disaster waiting to happen.
Suddenly—
A sharp knock hit the door.
My heart jumped.
"Open the door."
His voice.
Cold. Impatient.
I quickly wiped my tears, forcing myself to stand.
"I'm changing," I said quickly.
Silence.
Then—
"You have ten seconds."
My breath hitched.
Why did it sound like a threat?
I opened the door slowly.
And immediately regretted it.
Alexander was standing right there.
Closer than expected.
His eyes dropped instantly to my body.
To the loose robe I had just thrown on.
Then lower.
To my stomach.
My heart stopped.
"Are you sick?"
The question caught me off guard.
"W-what?"
"You've been holding your stomach since we got here."
His voice was calm.
But his eyes…
They were watching.
Calculating.
Dangerous.
"I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing a smile.
"Just tired."
A lie.
A weak one.
He stepped closer.
One step.
Then another.
Until my back hit the wall.
My breath hitched.
"Don't lie to me."
His voice dropped.
Low.
Threatening.
My pulse raced wildly.
He was too close.
Too observant.
Too dangerous.
His hand suddenly lifted.
And for a second—
I thought he was going to touch my stomach.
Expose everything.
End everything.
But instead…
He grabbed my chin.
Forcing me to look up at him.
"Listen carefully," he said, his grip firm.
"I don't care who you were before this marriage…"
My heart pounded.
"…but from today, you belong to me."
A chill ran down my spine.
Not because of what he said.
But because of how he said it.
Like a promise.
Or a warning.
Then suddenly—
A phone rang.
Sharp. Loud.
Breaking the moment.
Alexander released me instantly, stepping back.
His expression turned dark as he answered the call.
"Yes?"
Silence.
Then his jaw tightened.
His eyes flickered toward me.
And something in them changed.
Something dangerous.
"Are you sure?" he asked slowly.
My heart dropped.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
He ended the call without another word.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Then he turned to me.
Slowly.
His gaze locked onto mine.
Cold.
Sharp.
Deadly.
"We need to talk."
My chest tightened.
Because deep down…
I knew.
Whatever he just heard—
Had something to do with me.