Claudia looked so fragile and soft, just like a baby, as she slept peacefully beside Richard in the car.
Suddenly, the car came to a halt, jolting him out of his thoughts.
"We're here, sir," the driver reminded him.
Richard stepped out and walked around to the other side. He gazed at her peaceful face as she murmured some inaudible words in her sleep. Carefully, he scooped her into his arms and carried her into the villa.
His mother stood outside the door with a blank expression that quickly turned cold as he approached with Claudia in his arms.
"Stop right there, Richard!" she thundered.
He paused. The sudden command woke Claudia. She jerked awake in his arms, looking scared and disoriented. She tried to jump down, but he held her firmly so she wouldn't fall.
"How dare you bring this slut into my house?" his mother said, her voice dripping with disgust.
Claudia looked terrified. She quickly hid behind him, her body trembling slightly.
"Mom, can we talk after I take her inside?" Richard said calmly, ignoring her outburst. He took Claudia's hand and led her into the house, leaving his mother standing outside, furious.
They reached the bedroom, and he was about to step out when she suddenly grabbed his hand.
"Richard…" I called, my face pale and eyes filled with fear. "Your mom doesn't want me here. I can leave."
He immediately took both of my hands in his.
"Claudia, you are carrying my child. It is my responsibility to take care of you." He paused, then added firmly, "Tomorrow, we are getting our marriage certificate."
My mouth fell open in shock.
"After tomorrow, no one will call you a slut," he said, his voice low but determined. "I will make sure of it."
He pulled me close and captured my soft, rosy lips with his.
I don't know when it happened or how it happened… but I have fallen for this girl.
I stiffened at first, then slowly melted into the kiss, my hands clutching the front of his shirt as if he were my only anchor. When he finally pulled back, my cheeks were flushed, and those wide eyes searched his with a mix of confusion and something softer — hope, maybe.
"Richard… you don't have to do this," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I know this baby complicates everything. Your mother… she hates me. I don't want to come between you and your family."
He brushed a stray lock of hair from my face, his thumb lingering on my cheek. "You're not coming between anything. This is my choice. Our child deserves a father who stands up for him or her. And you… you deserve more than being hidden away or insulted."
A soft knock sounded on the door, but it swung open before he could respond. His mother stormed in, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Her eyes narrowed at me, and I instinctively stepped closer to Richard.
"So this is how it is?" Mrs. Cooper spat, crossing her arms. "You bring your little plaything into my home and announce marriage like it's some business deal? What about the family name, Richard? What about everything we've built?"
Richard turned to face her fully, keeping me shielded behind him. "The family name will be just fine, Mother. Claudia is carrying my heir. Tomorrow we make it official. If you can't accept that, then perhaps it's time we discuss living arrangements."
Mrs. Cooper's face paled, then flushed with anger. "You'll regret this," she warned before turning on her heel and slamming the door behind her.
The silence that followed felt heavy. Richard pulled me gently toward the bed and sat me down, kneeling in front of me so our eyes were level.
"Hey," he said softly, taking my hands again. "She'll come around. Or she won't. Either way, I'm not letting you face this alone."
I bit my lip, a small smile breaking through my worry. "You're really serious about tomorrow?"
"Dead serious. We will get our marriage certificate before we head to the orphanage." He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Get some rest now. You and the baby need it. I'll handle everything else."
As I lay back against the pillows, my eyelids already growing heavy, Richard watched me for a moment longer. The way the soft lamp light caressed my features, the protective curve of my hand over my still-flat stomach it stirred something deep in his chest.
This wasn't just responsibility anymore.
It was love. Real, unexpected, and terrifying in the best way.
He dimmed the lights and quietly left the room, already mentally preparing for the battle ahead with his mother, with the world, and with his own stubborn heart that had finally surrendered to Claudia.
Mrs. Cooper slammed the door to her bedroom furiously and sat on her bed, almost out of breath from anger.
"Lia was right," she mumbled. "This Claudia girl is a gold-digger."
No, I will not let this happen. I need to do something.
She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
"I want you to investigate someone," she said firmly. "Her name is Claudia Larson. I want to know everything about her by the end of tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am," a cold voice replied from the other end before she hung up.
Almost immediately, another call came in. She checked the caller ID and picked up.
"Mom?" Lia's voice came through. "I want to come back, Mom, but Richard's men won't let me. Please, I miss you. I want to come home."
"My baby, you know how stubborn your brother is," Mrs. Cooper said gently. "But I promise I will find a way to bring you home safely very soon."
"Mom, it is because of that seductress Claudia!" she cried. "She is ruining everything!"
"Don't worry. Get your things ready. You are coming back tomorrow. I will make sure of it, okay?"
"Okay, Mom. Thank you," Lia said and hung up.
Mrs. Cooper set the phone down and stared into space. I need to find a way to make Richard bring Lia back. With both of us together, that little gold-digger will not stand a chance.