Chapter 36

Kia We were eating our breakfast silently after hearing about Lucian’s breakup with John. It was heartbreaking news for him and, honestly; I felt for him. I kept my eyes on the lasagna. Mom sipped her tea while glancing at me briefly. She nudged me with her elbow. “What?” I mouthed.

“He looks sad.” She mouthed.

I raised my brows. “So what?”

She slapped her forehead. “Sit beside him.”

I looked at Lucian, who kept stabbing his fork into the fish as if it was John. “How could he cheat on me?” He said through clenched teeth. He raised his eyes at me. “Kia, do I look ugly?”

Oh god, he looked so sad. Poor, Luc.

I shook my head and opened my mouth to say something, but mom cut me off.

“Of course not, darling. You are handsome, well-built, and polite. He is crazy that he cheated on you.” She glanced at me briefly. “Kia, you remember Alex.”

“Alex?” I frowned.

“Alex, who kept asking about Lucian.” She passed me something through her eyes.

“Oh, Alexander.” I smiled forcefully. God knows who Alexander is. “He kept asking about you, Luc.” I lied.

He quickly abandoned his fork and gave us his full attention. “Alexander. Who is this? Why did he ask about me?”

“First Alexander is Tia’s cousin. And second, he has a great crush on you,” she said.

“Really?” Lucian’s hopeless eyes converted into light after hearing my mother’s lie.

Tia was in our neighborhood, but she had no cousins. Mamma was making this story so that she could make him happy. But in the end, it was all a lie. Frowning, I looked at the mother, who was proving herself a wonderful storyteller.

After telling every detail of that fake Alexander, she said, “He has his boutique in California, and he lives there. When I get time, then I’ll surely ask Tia about her brother.”

Lucian smiled widely. “It is very you, Mrs. Seton. Please let me know when he comes here. I’d like to meet him.”

Now he does not look like a broken heart.

I went to him and took a place beside him. He turned to me. “What do you think, Kia? Let me show that bastard what he has missed!”

I was not listening to him because my eyes were on his scar, which was given by Vivian. It had been a month since that incident happened and Lucian had recovered completely, but his scars were still visible, and that made me feel bad. When he followed my eyes. “It’ll be healed, Kia. Don’t worry.” I looked into his eyes, which were so soft. Vivian had not cut him deeply. I didn’t know why. Maybe he was injured at that time, or maybe he didn’t want to kill Lucian.

I smiled at him. “It was a horrible day of my life when you were in the hospital.”

He looked back at his breakfast, which was untouchable. “I think Vivian did not kill me because of you. I saw his reaction when you were crying in front of him. For a moment he regretted his actions.”

“Will you guys stop talking about him?” Mamma interrupted us. I didn’t understand why she didn’t like Vivian.

When the smell of fish hit my nose, I dashed to the toilet and threw up the whole thing that I had eaten. I was sick of the fish smell. After a few minutes, I went out, wiping my mouth with a towel. Mamma handed me a glass of water. “Are you okay?”

Lucian approached me. “What happened to you? Are you alright?”

I nodded at him, smiling. “You know I hate the smell of fish.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh. I forget that.”

“What’s going on here?” Guarin’s voice echoed in the hall. All the heads turned to him. He stepped into our house as if he owned it. My eyes caught a few people who were trailing behind him. There were three people. One of them was a man and the other two were women. “Spending a happy time with a friend, huh?”

“Why are you here?” I hated to see him every day.

“Have you chosen your wedding gown?” He raised his brow, slightly angry. “If you forgot, I’d like to remind you that our wedding is taking place in two days.”

If I ever give a fuck.

“I’ll wear my mamma’s gown. It has been her dream since I was born. So yes, I’ve chosen my wedding gown.” I looked at mamma. Her eyes filled with joy.

“Are you serious? Our wedding will be the biggest feast in the city. Many of my friends, politicians, and business partners will attend this wedding. And you are going to wear that piece of trash!” He let out an empty laugh.

My hands clenched into fists. “Whether you like it or not, I will wear my mama's gown.”

“You won’t!” He gritted and was boiling with anger.

“I..” Before I could say something, mamma squeezed my shoulder gently.

“Kia, let it go. It is an old-fashioned gown, and it won’t look good on my super gorgeous daughter. Let’s try something new.” She smiled with sad eyes.

“Mamma...”

“Kia, please don’t make it worse.” She pleaded with her eyes.

I gave her a curt nod and gritted my teeth.

“Then let’s begin the process.” Guarin nodded to one of the women who had worn a black dress with golden stilettos. Her hair was short and red, which set off against her golden skin. “We need a change room.” She said while looking around.

“I’ll show you,” Mamma said politely. “Please follow me.” She took them to my room.

My room?

Before I could follow them, Guarin interrupted me. “I’ve chosen five expensive gowns for you. And you’ll be picking one of them.” He came closer to me and grabbed my face and kissed me roughly. “I want you to be obedient, baby.” He narrowed his eyes on me. “Otherwise, I’ll beat the shit out of you.” He traced his thumb over my lower lips, smiling. “I love you. Say you are mine.”

I looked away, angry. I hated to admit that.

“Say you are mine!” He growled, and I jerked, looking at him.

“I am yours.” I squeezed my eyes shut, allowing the severe pain in my heart.

Lucian did not look at me because he didn’t want to make me feel bad. “I must leave now.” He said and walked out.

Guarin’s smirk deepened. “I have a few meetings in these two days. I’ll settle everything as soon as possible so that I have plenty of time for our honeymoon.”

My jaw clenched tighter.

“I should go now,” I said and walked away from him.

Rita showed us the most expensive gowns which were chosen by Guarin. All five gowns were elegant and beautifully decorated in pearls and silver threads. “You should try this one.” She showed me a ball gown, it was an embroidered floral pattern with a silver thread and had a pearly neckline.

I reached for it and checked out.

“Wow!” Rita said. When I went out after changing into the gown. “You are looking gorgeous.”

“How did you get my size?” I asked.

“Mr. Martin gave us.” She said while smoothing the gown.

I stumbled when I felt dizzy.

“Are you alright, Honey?” Mamma grabbed me by the elbow, balancing me.

I nodded to her, but the next moment I felt nauseous. I hurried into the toilet and threw up again.

God. I had messed with this expensive dress. What was wrong with me?

********

Again I felt sick. Only one day left for my wedding and here I suddenly fell ill.

Mamma knocked on the door. “Are you ready, honey?”

I heard her. She was waiting for me outside and here I was sitting on the toilet, puking. I gasped, nausea became worse. “I am coming, Mamma. Just a minute.” I quickly stood up, looking into the mirror. I was looking different.

When I didn’t go out for a minute, she came in. “What are you doing in the bathroom?”

“Again I threw up.” I went out.

She didn’t say anything for a few minutes as watching me up and down. “You’ve missed your period, right?”

I looked at her in confusion.

“What?” I sat down because it was too tiring to stand up all the time.

“You’ve missed your period?”

I laughed at her stupid thought. “I often missed my period due to birth control pills. You know Guarin doesn’t want kids, so I have been taking pills for years.”

“Had you ever taken pills when you were with Vivian? Has he ever used protection?” She held my eyes. I was flushed with her questions. I had never talked about my sex life with her. And talking about the sex with Vivian was extremely awkward to me.

“You are talking crazy.” I laughed and brushed my hair. “The smell of fish is still sticking in my nose.”

“You have a sign of pregnancy, Kia. And don’t take it lightly because tomorrow you are going to marry Guarin,” she retorted. “Now answer my questions!”

My hand automatically went down, tracing my flat belly. Pregnant with Vivian’s child?

“Kia” Mamma’s terrified gaze watched me.

I looked down. “I’ve slept with him twice and it does not mean I’ll be pregnant with his child.”

“Bare?”

I became completely red. “Mamma stop it! You are making me uncomfortable. I have not taken pills with him.”

“I’ll get you a pregnancy test first,” she said and walked out.

I stood up, trying to calm down my body.

After a few minutes, she returned with the test and gave me a shaking hand. “Take it quick.”

I nodded and walked into the bathroom. My hands were sweaty when I opened the packet.

It must be negative.

My eyes widened with shock when I saw the result. I stared down at the test for a few seconds, hoping for a miracle. I hope I can change the result. Guarin would kill me when he found out I was pregnant with another man.

Oh, my God. I could not believe I was pregnant with Vivian’s child.

His child.

How could my fate be that cruel? Why was my life full of difficulties and trouble? It was my next trouble. My unborn baby.

Taking a deep breath, I went out and mamma was watching me as if at any moment I was going to explode the bomb on her.

“I’m pregnant.”

She covered her mouth with her hand, and her eyes filled with tears. “I’ve known that.” She whispered.

“Mamma, stop crying. You are annoying me!”

“It’s still early. We can call the doctor and he will get rid of it.” She said and left me speechless. “You don’t have to keep it, Kia.”

Anger flared in me. How could she talk like that?

“How cruel you are talking, mom!” I retorted. “This child is innocent. I’ll keep this child even if I have to risk my life. It’s mine.”

“How can you talk like this? Knowing that this child will bring you to the end of your life. You know that cruel bastard. He will kill you when he finds out about your unborn child.”

“Who will tell him?” I held her gaze. “I’m six weeks pregnant. I have time for my delivery. I’ll tell Guarin it is his child.”

“And he will believe that?”

“I’ll make him believe.”

“What will happen when he comes to know the truth? Don’t take a risk, Honey.” She held my hand, which was shaking due to fear.

“Taking a risk for Vivian’s child is worth it. Just think about Mamma. What if I’ll get a daughter like Harley? She must be so adorable? And what if I’ll get a son like Vivian?” I smiled, thinking about a young Vivian. It was going to be the happiest moment of my life.

“It is your decision, Kia. Despite that, I want you to rethink it!” She said firmly and left me alone.

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