Chapter 132 Chapter 132

Chapter 132 Chapter 132

Greer's POV

The morning after the hit-and-run attempt, I woke up in Cassey’s spare room with a heavy weight pressing on my chest. My body felt exhausted even though I had barely moved. The image of that car tumbling and catching fire kept flashing behind my eyes. It was supposed to be me. Another attempt on my life, and this time an innocent person had suffered because of it. The guilt mixed with terror made it hard to breathe.

I forced myself out of bed anyway. I couldn’t hide forever. Lumina Bloom needed me. The new store needed me. My future needed me.

Cassey was already in the kitchen making coffee when I walked in. She looked as tired as I felt, but she gave me a small, encouraging smile.

“Calder called earlier,” she said, handing me a mug. “He’s increasing security again. And he wants you to stay safe today.”

I nodded, sipping the hot coffee. “I have to go to the store. The furniture delivery will be finished today, and I need to approve the final layouts.”

Cassey didn’t argue. She knew how important this was to me. We got ready together and headed out with the security detail following closely behind us. The drive to the flagship store felt tense. Every car that came too close made my heart race. But I kept reminding myself, I was still here. Still fighting.

When we arrived, the building looked even more beautiful in the daylight. The crisp white exterior gleamed under the sun, while the soft lemon yellow and pink interior was starting to look exactly like the warm, empowering space I had envisioned. Delivery trucks were unloading the last batches of furniture.

I immediately got to work directing the team. “The display shelves go along the main wall with the lemon yellow background. The consultation chairs with the pink accent wall over there. Make sure the lighting is soft but bright enough to highlight the products.”

Cassey worked beside me as my manager, supervising the placement of counters, shelves, and seating areas. She had become indispensable. Watching her confidently direct the workers filled me with pride.

By midday, my office and Cassey’s office were fully set up. I sat behind my new desk for a while, running my fingers over the smooth surface. This was real. My own flagship store. A physical home for Lumina Bloom. The launch was set for one month after the Royal Business Ball, and the invitation to that event still felt like a dream.

Cassey leaned against the doorframe of my office, smiling. “You’re really doing this, Greer. Best Rookie CEO nominee. Your own store. It’s incredible.”

I smiled back, even though the fear from yesterday still lingered. “We’re doing this together.”

The rest of the day passed in a productive blur. I oversaw the final touches — arranging sample displays, testing the lighting, making sure every corner felt welcoming. The store was coming together beautifully. Women would walk in here and feel seen, empowered, and beautiful. That was the whole point of Lumina Bloom.

In the late afternoon, Calder arrived. The moment I saw him, I walked straight into his arms. He held me tightly, one hand stroking my hair.

“You’re so strong,” he murmured. “I’m proud of you for still pushing forward.”

His presence helped ease some of the terror that had settled in my bones. We walked through the store together, and I showed him everything, the consultation rooms, the display areas, my new office. His pride in me was obvious in every look and touch.

As evening approached, we locked up the building. Calder insisted on driving me back to Cassey’s apartment, with security following. The city lights blurred past the windows as I leaned my head against his shoulder.

“I’m still scared,” I admitted quietly. “First the men in my apartment, now the hit-and-run. Who wants me dead this badly?”

Calder’s hand tightened on mine. “We’re going to find out. I have people investigating. Until then, you’re not alone. I’ve got you.”

His words comforted me, but the fear remained. When we reached Cassey’s apartment, Calder stayed for a while, holding me on the couch until I felt steady enough. Cassey joined us, and for a few hours, it almost felt normal, the three of us talking about the store launch and the upcoming Royal Business Ball.

Later that night, as I lay in bed, I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing. The Royal Business Ball was a huge opportunity. Being nominated for Best Rookie CEO felt like validation for every struggle I had faced. But the danger surrounding me made everything feel fragile.

Still, I refused to let fear win.

I had survived Veda’s cruelty. Indira’s attacks. The break-in. The hit-and-run. I had built Lumina Bloom from nothing. I had a man who loved me fiercely. A best friend who stood by me. A dream that was finally coming true.

I touched the spot over my heart and whispered to myself, “You’re still blooming, Greer. Keep going.”

Sleep came slowly, but when it did, I held onto that determination tightly.

Tomorrow, I will keep building.

No matter how scared I was.

I woke up the next morning in Cassey’s spare room feeling completely drained. My body was heavy with exhaustion, and a strong wave of nausea hit me the moment I sat up. I barely made it to the bathroom before I was sick. My head throbbed, my stomach churned, and I felt so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. Something was wrong. I didn’t know what, but my body felt completely off balance.

Calder noticed immediately when he came to check on me. His face filled with deep concern as he helped me back to bed and felt my forehead.

“You’re not okay,” he said firmly, voice leaving no room for argument. “I’m taking you to the hospital right now.”

I tried to protest weakly. “I’m fine… it’s probably just stress from everything that’s been happening.”

But Calder wouldn’t hear it. Cassey offered to stay behind to finish packaging the latest batch of orders and have them delivered through our dispatch riders. She hugged me tightly before we left, worry clear in her eyes.

“Take care of yourself,” she whispered. “I’ve got things handled here.”

The drive to the hospital felt long. Nausea kept rolling through me in waves. When we arrived, the doctors ran some basic checks, but I refused the full blood work and tests at first.

“I’m okay,” I insisted, even though I felt anything but. “Nothing is happening. It’s just stress.”

Calder stayed by my side, holding my hand. “Greer, please. Let them check properly. For me.”

At the end of the day, after much gentle persuasion from both Calder and the doctor, I finally agreed. The nurse drew blood, and we waited in a private room. When the doctor returned with the results, his expression was kind and careful.

“Miss Greer… congratulations. You’re pregnant. Just four weeks along.”

The words hung in the air like a dream and a nightmare at the same time.