Chapter 121 In The Dark

Chapter 121 In The Dark
Daylan's POV

The night had gone on longer than I expected, but the energy in the room hadn’t dipped. People were still mingling, laughing, and toasting to the success of the opening. I should’ve been enjoying it more, basking in the accomplishment of opening Brielan, but something was gnawing at the back of my mind. I glanced over to Brie, who was standing nearby with Rick and Natalie. She looked tired, no, she looked exhausted. Her pale face, the faint shadows under her eyes, it was clear she had pushed herself too hard tonight.

“I think I’m going to call it a night,” she said, her voice quiet as she came to my side.

I frowned, immediately concerned. “Are you feeling okay? You don’t look so good.”

She gave me a tired smile, but I could see the weariness in her eyes. “I’m fine, just really tired. Rick and Natalie offered to take me back to the apartment. I just need to get some rest.”

I wanted to leave with her, to make sure she was okay, but the guests here were still expecting me to stay, and I could sense that she didn’t want me to leave yet. I cupped her cheek gently, my thumb brushing over her soft skin. “Are you sure? I can come with you.”

She shook her head. “No, you stay. This is your night. You deserve to enjoy it. I will be fine.”

I sighed, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Alright, but call me the second you need anything. I don’t care what time it is, okay? I will leave as soon as everyone is gone.”

She nodded, giving me that small, reassuring smile again. “I will call you if I need you.”

I watched as she left with Rick and Natalie, my chest tightening slightly. I hated that she was still dealing with health issues, but I trusted Rick and Natalie to take care of her. Still, that feeling wouldn’t leave me.

I tried to shake off the nagging worry as I turned back to the crowd, engaging in more conversations with the guests. But there it was again, that strange sensation, like eyes were on me. I casually scanned the room, and that is when I saw her.

Abby.

Or at least, I thought I did. It was just a flash, a glimpse of her hair and familiar posture. My stomach dropped. But when I blinked and looked again, she wasn’t there. My heart was racing, my mind replaying the last time I saw her. No, it couldn’t be her. Not here.

I tried to focus, nodding along to the conversation happening around me, but my mind was elsewhere. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I excused myself from the group. I needed a moment alone to collect my thoughts.

I walked down the hallway, away from the crowd, and headed toward my office. The hallway was quieter compared to the lively atmosphere outside, and the moment I stepped into my office and closed the door behind me, I exhaled deeply. Darkness filled the room, and for a moment, I just leaned against the door, letting the silence calm me.

I moved further away from the door and pulled my phone out of my pocket, checking for any messages from Brie. Nothing yet, which was good, but that nagging feeling wouldn’t go away. I just needed a few minutes to clear my head. But then I heard the door click open behind me and close again.

I froze, expecting to see Brie, but I could hardly see her face. The scent hit me first, the unmistakable soft floral scent that I knew so well. I smiled to myself, turning around.

“I thought you were heading back to the apartment,” I said softly, stepping closer.

She didn’t answer. Instead, she came closer, her hands immediately on my chest, and before I could react, her lips were on mine. For a second, I kissed her back, surprised by the sudden intensity. Her hands reached down to my pants and undid it, but something felt off.

The taste. That familiar taste.

I pulled back, confused. “Wait… what are you-” I moved past her and reached for the light switch, and when the room was illuminated, my blood turned to ice.

It wasn’t Brielle.

It was Abby.

I stumbled backward, my heart pounding in my chest as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Fury surged through me like fire. “What the hell, Abby?” Immediately, I zipped up my pants.

She stood there, her lips curled into that same manipulative smirk I had grown to despise. She looked almost proud of herself, as if this was some kind of victory.

“Surprised to see me?” she purred, stepping closer again.

I recoiled, shaking my head in disbelief. “Surprised? I’m disgusted. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Her smirk didn’t falter. If anything, it deepened. “I thought I'd come by to congratulate you. It’s a big night for you, isn’t it?”

My mind was racing, trying to comprehend what was happening. I took another step back, putting distance between us. “Get out. I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but it’s not going to work.”

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Oh, come on, Daylan. Don’t act like you didn’t miss me, just a little.”

“I didn’t. I never want to see you again,” I spat, my voice hard. I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to show up here, to do this.

She raised an eyebrow, her smirk fading just slightly. “Well, that’s too bad. Because you will be seeing more of me.”

I frowned, my fists clenching at my sides. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Abby’s gaze flickered with something dark, something dangerous, as she took another step toward me. “I’m moving to London. But before I go, I thought you should know something.”

I didn’t like where this was going. “What?”

She held my gaze for a long moment before finally saying the words that made my stomach drop. “I’m pregnant.”

For a split second, my heart stopped. But then I looked at her, really looked at her. Her stomach wasn’t showing yet, and something about the way she said it... it didn’t feel right.

“And?” I said, my voice cold. “What do you want me to say? Congratulations?”

Her smirk returned, though this time it was laced with something desperate. “You’re not even going to ask if it’s yours?”

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “I don’t need to ask. I know it’s not. You’re barely showing. There is no way.”

Her expression faltered, just for a second, but then she shrugged. “Fine. You’re right. It’s not yours. But I thought you should know anyway.”

I stared at her, my anger bubbling to the surface again. “I don’t care, Abby. I don’t care about you, and I definitely don’t care about your baby. You have caused enough damage in my life, and I’m done with you.”

She raised an eyebrow, her smirk fading. “So that’s it?”

“That’s it,” I said firmly. “You have gotten what you wanted. You wanted to hurt me, to mess with my life, and you did. You are finally pregnant. That is all you ever wanted, so you have what you always wanted. But now, it’s over. I never want to see you again.”

She held my gaze for a long moment before finally nodding. “Fine,” she said quietly. “Goodbye, Daylan and all the best with this...clinic.” I moved out of the way as she stepped closer to the door.

“Goodbye, Abby,” I said coldly, turning away from her. I heard her footsteps retreat, the door clicking shut behind her, and I let out a breath. I hope she stays the hell away from us after this. She came all the way here just to taunt me. I'm glad I never got her pregnant even by mistake, I'm glad I covered my bases when it came to having s^x. I don't know what I would've done if she had ever fallen pregnant by me. One thing I know for sure is that she wouldn't have left me alone, and I bet she would've milked me dry for that kid. But I'm happy I did everything to be protected.

I leaned against the wall, running a hand through my hair. The night had taken a turn I hadn’t expected, but as I stood here, my thoughts immediately went back to Brie. She was my future, my everything. And nothing, not even Abby, was going to take that away from me. I straightened, leaving the dark office behind and heading back toward the main event. It was time to focus on what truly mattered.