Chapter 27 Chapter 27. A Secret That Cannot Be Kept
Thinking of Zoria made Faye recall what Dr. Smith had said about the pregnancy medication. That violent retching sounded like clear confirmation.
After vomiting, Zoria’s chest still felt tight. Her breathing was rapid, her eyes red, cold sweat covering her forehead. She wiped her mouth and stepped out, only to run straight into Faye standing by the door.
The moment she saw Faye, Zoria tried to avoid her, not wanting to talk.
But Faye suddenly called out, her voice full of concern. “Zoria, does your stomach hurt? Do you want me to call a doctor?”
Zoria did not stop walking. “No need.”
Faye watched Zoria’s thin figure walk away, the corners of her lips curling into a cold smile. “Are you sure you do not need one? You are vomiting so badly that anyone who saw you would think you are having morning sickness.”
Zoria’s entire body stiffened. Cold sweat instantly broke out down her back. She bit her lip hard, hurried back to her room, and locked the door.
Faye crossed her arms, her sharp gaze fixed on the door. Zoria’s reaction just now could not fool her.
She had only said it casually. Why would Zoria become so tense? Could it be that she had guessed right?
If Zoria was really pregnant, the baby had to be Zephyr’s. This was also the reason Zephyr hesitated and refused to cut off the bond with Zoria.
Faye ground her teeth together. She changed her clothes and went downstairs, deciding to go to the hospital herself to confirm it.
Inside the room, Zoria’s heart was racing out of control. She raised a hand to hold her stomach, Faye’s words still echoing in her ears, a sense of unease rising in her heart.
Morning sickness. This explanation suddenly made everything clear about her abnormal vomiting. From now on, she would have to be even more careful. But the baby in her womb was growing day by day. Sooner or later, Zephyr would discover it.
Before, with Evander helping her hide it, she thought that once the bond with Zephyr was cut, she could raise the baby alone. But she had not expected Zephyr to change, to even want her to get pregnant again. If Zephyr found out that the baby from before had not died during the bone marrow transplant surgery, he would definitely force her to give birth and hand the baby over to Faye to raise.
Zoria clenched the fabric over her stomach, her gaze resolute. She would never hand her baby over to anyone.
Zoria was being kept under virtual house arrest by Zephyr. Ever since she returned from the hospital, he hadn’t allowed her to step outside the bedroom even once.
She had tried to resist many times, but Zephyr warned that if she dared to act out again, he would lock her in the storage room. He was a deranged bastard who always struck where she was most vulnerable.
At the sound of the door unlocking, Zoria jerked awake, her body curling into the corner. Zephyr had keys to every room, so locking the door was pointless.
The door swung open from the outside, and the tall silhouette of the male filled her vision. The light from the hallway landed just right on Zoria, her back against the glow. Her features were delicate and enticing, making her look almost ethereal.
Zephyr had been in power for too long, and the weight of it clung to him. He stepped toward the bed, something sharp and dangerous flickering in his eyes.
Terrified, Zoria scrambled off the bed and bolted toward the door. Her fingers had barely brushed the handle when Zephyr seized the back of her collar.
A mocking laugh sounded behind her. "Where do you think you're running off to, Zoria? I let you off last time. This time you won’t be so lucky."
Her scalp tingled, cold sweat broke across her skin, and her legs nearly gave out beneath her.
"Zephyr, let go of me."
He let out a quiet laugh, his voice cold enough to freeze bone. His hand clamped around her wrist before he yanked hard and threw her onto the bed.
Dazed, Zoria had only managed to sit up when Zephyr pushed her back down. Her eyes reddened with rage and helplessness. Without thinking, she bared her teeth, ready to bite.
But he had already predicted it. The moment she opened her mouth, he withdrew his hand and gripped her chin hard. He glared down at her with a mocking smile. "Once was enough. I’m not letting you bite me again."
The smell of alcohol on him hit her so strongly it made her stomach turn.
"Don’t..."
His hand slid to the slight curve of her stomach. Zoria froze, barely daring to breathe. Her nerves stretched thin, her scalp tingling with waves of cold dread.
Zephyr didn’t seem to notice. He lazily traced slow circles over her belly. "Have you gotten fatter lately? Your stomach feels softer than before."
Zoria’s pupils tightened in fear.
She had been nauseous for weeks now, constantly trying to hold it in so he wouldn’t suspect anything. But being forced into a kiss earlier had made the disgust overwhelming. She gagged, the sour burn rising up her throat.
Zephyr’s body stiffened above her. A second later he lifted his head and released her mouth.
Zoria immediately turned away, retching weakly, tears streaking her cheeks as her upper body shook.
Zephyr’s desire evaporated. His face darkened and he grabbed her chin again, demanding, "Zoria, what is that supposed to mean?"
Her stomach cramped painfully. Eyes watering, she forced down the nausea, taking a few shaky breaths. Her voice came out hoarse. "It doesn’t mean anything. I just feel sick."
Her words carried more than one meaning. His fingers tightened on her chin until she winced and her brows drew together.
Zephyr narrowed his eyes, sneering. Under the dim light, his face looked even more menacing.
Zoria snapped back to her senses. What had she been thinking, talking back to him like that? If he got angry, snapping her neck would be easier for him than crushing an ant.
Her lips trembled. "I didn’t do it on purpose. My stomach just feels off."
Their eyes locked in a tense stare, the air thick enough to burn. Just as Zoria felt she might crack, a knock sounded at the door. She exhaled shakily while Zephyr’s expression grew even darker.
It could only be Faye. Lately she had been watching Zephyr closely. The moment she heard anything from Zoria’s side, she knew he was sneaking over again.
Faye would get so angry she’d throw pillows around her room, then storm over to bang on Zoria’s door.
Zephyr clearly wanted to ignore it, but the knocking carried the clear message: if you don’t open up, I’ll keep going.
He scowled in irritation, released the trembling Zoria, and went to open the door.