Chapter 70 Chapter 70
“No Adrian, I am not aborting this child”
Cynthia's words made the air leave the room. Adrian froze for a second before his eyes snapped back to hers, "What?"
His eyes narrowed at her as if he was challenging her to come again.
Cynthia wrapped her arms around her stomach.
"This is my term for marrying you, Adrian." She breathed "If you want me to marry you, you will not ask me to abort this child, again"
Adrian inhaled a sharp, hissing breath. His eyes turned a darker shade, and for a moment, Cynthia thought he might actually strike her.
"I accepted Aurora because you had her before I came into your life," he hissed, trying to suppress his fury. "I raised her. I loved her despite whose blood is in her veins. But I cannot possibly raise this one because you had it when I was still in your life."
"I don't want you to accept it," Cynthia countered, "I will raise my child on my own. But I cannot just kill it, Adrian. It isn't just his. It’s mine, too. It’s a part of me."
"Cynthia, I..."
"Adrian, I said what I said," she interrupted before Adrian could say anything anymore. "I have given you my 'yes' for the wedding. Now, give me mine for my child."
Adrian's jaw clenched and his fists tightened but he didn't say anything.
"Can I see Aurora now and get some food?"
The very idea of raising another child of Lucien was like a stain on his ego. But he knew that if he pushed Cynthia a bit more, she might break in a way he couldn't fix.
He kept staring at her for a long moment, before he let out a heavy sigh.
"Fine," he spat out.
He thought once they were married, he would make her desire what he desired.
Before he could change his mind, Cynthia stepped down the bed but the moment her feet hit the floor, her knees wobbled.
A small gasp passed her lips as she began to fall but Adrian's strong arms caught her before she could hit the floor.
He pulled her against him, with a firm and possessive grip.
"I have got you," he whispered. "I will always have your back, Cynthia."
The words that should have provided her safety made her feel scared. A tremor ran down her spine and her body trembled in his arms.
The thought of seeing her daughter gave her a sudden surge of strength. She moved away from him, her steps unsteady but determined, and slowly walked to his room while Adrian went to the kitchen to bring something to eat.
A wide smile spread on her lips the moment she saw her daughter sleeping on the bed. She couldn't stop herself from almost running to her. Her eyes watered, and her vision blurred as she reached out to stroke Aurora's forehead.
"Mumma," Aurora whispered in her sleep, her tiny brows furrowed. "Mumma... I will be a good girl. Get well soon."
A broken sob passed Cynthia's lips. She leaned down to kiss that tiny forehead, which was damp with beads of sweat.
Slowly, Aurora opened her eyes. She blinked a few times, as if she were dreaming, before asking in surprise, "Mumma?"
Cynthia nodded.
Aurora quickly sat up and threw herself into Cynthia's arms. Cynthia hugged her lifeline tightly, burying her face in the toddler's hair, crying her heart out. She felt a deep guilt for failing to be a good mother.
"Mumma," Aurora pulled back, her little face full of concern as she tried to wipe Cynthia's tears with her tiny fingers. "Don't cry. AD said if I am good, you will get well soon."
"You already are a good and brave girl, Aurora," Cynthia whispered, kissing her forehead again. "Never let anyone tell you otherwise. Do you hear me?"
"You are the strongest, mumma" Aurora chirped.
Her heart clenched.
"You had your dinner?"
She shook her head and looked down.
"Why?"
"AD scolded me for asking to meet you. He told me to go to sleep and didn't give me anything to eat."
Cynthia felt a strong urge to kill Adrian for keeping her daughter hungry. Her innocent child was being punished just for loving her.
"I am sorry, Aurora"
"No mumma. I am not hungry" she pouted. I can see the clear lie in her eyes.
And just then the door opened and Adrian walked in carrying a tray. The soft smile on his lips made Cynthia's stomach churn.
"Oh, I see my princess is awake." He said, giving off that charming smile to Aurora.
The moment Aurora saw him, she immediately grabbed Cynthia's clothes tightly and shifted further into her mother’s lap. She has started getting off vibes from Adrian.
Adrian didn't seem to notice as he walked over to the small circular table near the window, brought it near the bed and began to set it. He brought bread and soup. He pulled a chair for himself, tore a piece of the soft bread and held it to Aurora's lips.
Aurora shook her head and looked down.
"Awwww, is my princess angry with me?" He asked.
Aurora looked at him through her lashes and stayed frozen in her place.
"I told you..." Adrian continued, "If you were a good girl and went to sleep, Mumma would get better. And look! Here she is. I kept my promise, didn't I?"
Aurora’s lower lip trembled as she looked up at Cynthia. Only when her mother simply nodded did she open her mouth and take a tiny bite.
Adrian beamed at Aurora but to Cynthia, he looked like a satisfied trainer whose animal had finally obeyed.
"That’s my girl," he murmured.
Adrian's attention then shifted to Cynthia with dark and expectant eyes. He dipped a spoon into the warm soup and brought it to her lips. The heat of his gaze made her feel like she was burning.
"Have it, Cynthia. You have had a long day and you need energy for what's coming."
Cynthia looked at the spoon, then at the man holding it. She knew if she refused Aurora would be the one to pay for it. She didn't want Aurora to see his real face. She will be traumatised for her life. She parted her lips, letting him feed her.
To distract herself from the intense and burning gaze of Adrian, she started feeding Aurora. Aurora ate from Cynthia's hand without any hesitation. Aurora too fed her mother while Adrian watched.
Suddenly, Adrian's hand reached out for Cynthia's face. She flinched slightly but he didn't hesitate in rubbing the corner of her mouth with his thumb.
Her eyes widened in horror and disgust when Adrian sucked his thumb.
She swallowed hard and was thankful when she saw Aurora busy with her soup.
Cynthia wiped the corner of her mouth where Adrian had just touched her. He was no longer pretending or hiding his intentions from Cynthia anymore.
Cynthia was feeling so awkward. She doesn't know how she is going to spend her entire life with him when she has already stated feeling suffocated with him in the same room.