Chapter 321

Chapter 321
Freya
 
Later that evening, as Flynn slept peacefully in his recovery room, Lucas and I sat in the quiet hospital corridor.
 
"There's something I need to tell you," I said, my voice soft in the hushed atmosphere. "Yesterday, Paxton came to see me."
 
Lucas's posture stiffened slightly, though his expression remained neutral. "What did he want?"
 
I told him everything—Paxton's confession about the childhood incident, his realization that I had been his savior all along, not Lyra. Lucas listened without interruption, his jaw tightening when I described Paxton's attempt at an apology.
 
"And how do you feel about this revelation?" Lucas asked carefully when I finished.
 
I was quiet for a moment, considering my words. "Honestly? This really sheds some light on why he decided to remove our mark in the first place. He was always so protective of Lyra. Maybe now, with this understanding, some of the anger I've held against him is starting to make sense, or maybe it's just fading away. But Lucas..."
 
I turned to face him fully, meeting his eyes. "It doesn't change anything between us. Whatever debt he thought he owed me, whatever guilt he's carrying—it's too late."
 
Lucas responded, "Too late?"
 
I continued, "The damage is done. He chose Lyra over me for five years. He made me feel worthless, unwanted, like I was some kind of placeholder." My voice grew stronger with conviction. "I'm not the same woman who would have been grateful for his scraps of affection. I know my worth now, and I know what real love feels like."
 
Lucas's eyes searched my face. "And what does real love feel like?"
 
I reached for his hand, intertwining our fingers. "It feels like safety without submission. Like being seen for who I am, not who someone wants me to be. It feels like partnership, not ownership." I squeezed his hand. "It feels like you, Lucas."
 
The relief and joy that crossed his features made my heart skip. He brought our joined hands to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles.
 
"I love you too, Freya. More than I ever thought possible."
 
In that quiet hospital corridor, with Flynn safe and recovering nearby, I felt the last piece of my past with Paxton finally fall away. Whatever we'd had was over. My future was here, with Lucas, and I'd never been more certain of anything in my life.
 
---
 
Bella
 
The sickness hit me like a freight train as I rushed from my trailer to the nearest bathroom. My symptoms were becoming harder to hide. The exhaustion, the nausea, the way certain scents made me gag—there was no denying what was happening to my body.
 
I splashed cold water on my face, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My skin looked pale, and there were dark circles under my eyes that makeup couldn't quite cover.
 
My fingers found their way to my stomach without conscious thought, tracing gentle circles over the still-flat surface. Nothing shows yet. The thought should have been comforting, but it only made my chest tighten with anxiety. How much longer could I keep it hidden? How long before everyone would know?
 
Before Liam would know.
 
That night, I was restless.
 
Frost's been tailing me recently, always popping up on set. Yet, I never imagined he'd track me down to my home.
 
"Open the door, Bella." His voice came through the door. "I know you're home."  
 
I thought about pretending I wasn't there, but I knew Frost wouldn't leave. If it came down to it, he'd stand there all night. And by morning, the paparazzi would have a field day with photos of Liam's brother camped outside my door.
 
I unlocked the door and asked, "What do you want?"  
 
Frost stepped inside without an invitation, his presence immediately invading my space. He walked over to the sofa and sat down, spreading his arms across the back as if he owned the place.  
 
His gaze swept over me, and when his eyes lingered on my abdomen, I instinctively covered my stomach with my hand.
 
His smirk widened. "Let's talk about your future, Bella. Or, more accurately, your and the baby's future."  
 
His words hit me like a punch to the gut.
 
"I don't think we have anything to discuss," I said.  
 
"Oh, don't be so cold." He laughed, the sound grating on my nerves. "I know exactly what you're thinking. You want to keep this from Liam, wait for the perfect moment to break the news. But here's the thing—I think now is the perfect moment."  
 
The room seemed to spin. This was my worst nightmare coming true in real time. "Are you threatening me?"  
 
"Threaten?" Frost shrugged casually, as if we were discussing the weather. "I'm simply reminding you that Liam is the father. He has a right to know the truth, doesn't he?"  
 
Yes, Liam was the biological father, but what we had was over. And now this... this complication was going to destroy everything.  
 
"You don't give a damn about Liam," I snapped, "You just want to use this as leverage to gain power in the Wilson family."  
 
"Smart girl." He didn't even try to deny it. "But what are you going to do about it? When Liam finds out about the baby, he'll throw everything away—his position, his future, maybe even his sanity—all for you and that child. And when he does, my standing in the family will rise considerably."  
 
My hands clenched into fists. "You're insane. Liam wouldn't do something like that. And my baby and I aren't your pawns!"
 
Frost stood, towering over me, using his height to intimidate. The Alpha pheromones radiating from him made my Beta instincts want to submit, but I fought against it with everything I had.
 
"Unfortunately for you, you don't have a choice anymore." His voice dropped to a whisper that somehow felt more threatening than shouting. "Either you play along with my plan, or I tell Liam the truth."
 
"No," I said through gritted teeth. "I won't let you use us like this."
 
"I'll watch over you and the child. I'll make sure you're both safe, comfortable, and... contained. If Liam tries to interfere, I'll remind him of the consequences. If he steps out of line, he'll lose everything—including you and the baby," Frost said.
 
Frost wasn't just threatening to expose the truth; he was planning to control me, to use me and my child as leverage in his sick game.
 
He headed for the door but paused with his hand on the handle. "Think carefully, Bella. Your cooperation will make this easier for everyone."
 
With that, the door slammed behind him, and I collapsed against the wall like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
 
I slid down the wall until I was sitting on the floor, my hand pressed protectively over my stomach. I whispered, "I'm sorry, little one. I'm so sorry you're being born into this mess."
 
I sat in my apartment staring at my phone. I wanted desperately to call Freya, to tell her everything and beg for help. But I knew she was dealing with Flynn's recovery, and I couldn't add my problems to her burden.
 
I thought about Soren.
 
No, I had to handle this myself. And there was only one solution I could think of.
 
I pulled up airline websites on my laptop, searching for flights out of the country. Somewhere Frost couldn't reach me, somewhere I could have this baby in peace and figure out my next move.
 
A small clinic in Switzerland caught my attention—discrete, expensive, catering to wealthy clients who valued privacy. Perfect.
 
I booked the flight for the next day.