LOGINCEDRICThat day, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.Even after Elena stepped out of the car and started walking away, my gaze followed every step. The slender line of her back, her hair slightly tousled by the wind, the way she hurried through the gates as if she were fleeing from me.I only stopped staring once her figure completely vanished behind the high walls of the mansion.My heart was still pounding harder than usual. I let out a quiet breath and leaned my head back against the headrest. My hands remained on the steering wheel, but my fingers had gone tense.I wouldn’t deny it—I wanted to relive that kiss of ours from the café all those months ago. I wanted to feel again how her lips had trembled beneath mine, how her body, which had first resisted, had slowly given in, and how that soft little sigh had escaped her when I deepened the kiss.I scrubbed a hand roughly over my face.Damn it.I knew this was wrong. I knew she was my brother’s wife. I knew she was carrying his child.
ELENA“Are you okay?”Cedric’s voice was so close. I could still feel his warm, steady breath against the back of my neck. I flinched, suddenly realizing I was still in his arms. Both of his hands were firmly holding my waist, keeping me from falling.I quickly pushed his hands away and shoved at his chest. But instead of steadying myself, I lost my balance again when my flat shoes slipped slightly on the smooth floor.“Ah!”Before I could fall a second time, Cedric moved even faster. His hands caught my waist again and pulled me forward. This time our bodies pressed closer together. And accidentally… the corner of his lips brushed against the corner of mine.It lasted only a fraction of a second. But it was enough to freeze my entire body.I went rigid. My heart pounded wildly. Cedric also froze. His eyes widened slightly, as if he had only just realized what had happened.Behind us, Dr. Lucy let out a small laugh.“My, how intimate,” she teased lightly. “Be careful, Mrs. Elena. Don’
ELENAA moment later, the nurse stepped into the room carrying the ultrasound equipment and a bottle of gel. She smiled warmly as she approached the examination table.“Mrs. Elena, I’m just going to lift this a little so I can get to your stomach,” she said gently.I gave a stiff nod. My heart was already racing as she raised the hem of my hospital gown and pulled aside the cloth that had been covering my belly. The cool air of the room brushed against my skin. Beside me, I could feel Cedric’s gaze locked on me, unmoving.The nurse squeezed a stream of cold gel onto my stomach. I bit my lip, fighting the urge to flinch at the sudden chill that made me shift slightly. The gel was slick and sticky, spreading slowly across my skin.“A little cold, I know,” the nurse said as she smoothed it with a gloved hand. “It helps us get a clearer picture.”I didn’t answer. My eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling, trying to ignore the fact that Cedric was sitting so close beside the table that I could h
ELENAThe drive to the hospital felt unbearably long and awkward.I sat stiffly in the passenger seat, hands twisting together in my lap as I stared straight ahead. Cedric’s car glided smoothly through traffic, but the atmosphere inside was suffocating. The faint scent of his aftershave drifted toward me, stirring up memories of that reckless kiss in the café. It made my stomach twist with unease.Cedric glanced at me every now and then. He tried to make conversation a few times.“Traffic’s pretty heavy this morning,” he said casually.“Hm,” I replied curtly, refusing to look at him.He didn’t give up. “You go for prenatal check-ups every month?”“Yeah.”“Edward should be the one coming with you, right? Where is he?”“He has things to do,” I answered flatly.Cedric gave a small nod. “Is your doctor good?”I just shrugged. “She’s fine.”Silence settled over us again. I could feel his occasional glances, like he was searching for a way to say something more meaningful. But I kept my wal
ELENAOne thing I realized in that moment was that Cedric was really kissing me. The shock hit me so hard my body went rigid. My hands instinctively pushed against his broad chest, trying to shove him away. But Cedric didn’t budge. With a swift, powerful movement, he backed me up until my spine pressed against the cool café wall. His body pinned mine, trapping me between the hard surface and the heat of his chest. His kiss grew deeper, more demanding. His tongue slipped into my mouth, exploring with raw, unhidden hunger.It was the most intoxicating kiss I had ever received.This is crazy… this is wrong… But why does it feel… so good?Cedric gently bit my lower lip, then sucked on it softly. I gasped into his mouth. My knees went weak. The hands that had been pushing him away slowly loosened their grip, then finally clutched the front of his shirt.I kissed him back.Breathless and with my mind in complete chaos, I kissed him. My tongue met his—shy at first, then growing bolder. My le
ELENAI was gasping for air. My chest rose and fell rapidly, as if all the oxygen in the café had suddenly vanished. My eyes were locked on Cedric’s face—he stood so close I could smell the familiar scent of his aftershave.Tiger was Cedric.The realization kept exploding in my head like a bomb that wouldn’t stop detonating. A thousand questions slammed into my brain until it felt like it would burst.How long had he known? How long had he been playing me?My body trembled violently. I wanted to run. I wanted to slap him. I wanted to disappear from the face of the earth. But my legs refused to move, as if they were glued to the floor.“Elena…” Cedric’s voice was soft, but laced with desperation. His hand was still gently holding my arm, as though he was afraid I might actually bolt.I looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. “You… asshole,” I whispered hoarsely, my voice barely there.Cedric didn’t deny it. He just stared at me with a heavy gaze full of regret that somehow felt painful
ELENAThe next morning, the Ashford mansion felt far livelier than usual.Several maids moved back and forth through the dining room, placing dishes one after another onto the long table. The rich aroma of food filled the air, yet somehow it only made my stomach turn again.I took a slow breath bef
ELENAI wasn’t sure if I had truly woken up or if part of me was still trapped in the night I desperately wanted to forget.All I knew was that my body felt unfamiliar the moment I opened my eyes. When I turned my head, Cedric was sleeping soundly beside me. For a few seconds, I could only stare at
ELENAIt was already six in the evening when I finally returned from the hospital.The moment I stepped into the bedroom, the first thing I saw was that dress. I picked it up slowly. The fabric was thin and light, revealing far more skin than I was ever comfortable showing.Edward hadn’t only given
ELENAI didn’t sleep at all that night.After leaving Edward’s study, I sat motionless at the edge of the bed. It was already two in the morning, yet his words still echoed relentlessly inside my head.Divorce me… or sleep with another man to give me an heir.I squeezed my eyes shut.The cruel part







