LOGINCara stared at Martin, tongue-tied and caught entirely off guard.Her heart hammered frantically against her ribs. Should she just come clean? The thought flickered through her mind like a wild flare in the dark.‘Should she grab this opportunity to test the waters? Would Martin ever agree to be her donor?’All these questions flashed through her mind in a matter of seconds, heavy with desperation.However, the sheer absurdity of the situation—the location, the locked door, the secrets suffocating her—forced her survival instincts to take over.When she opened her mouth, her voice was surprisingly steady. Firm.“The Old Master of the Davis family needs a bone marrow transplant.”Martin’s dark eyes didn't soften; if anything, his brow furrowed deeper, his sharp gaze analyzing every micro-expression on her face.“What does that have to do with what I just heard?” he pressed, his voice a dangerous rumble. “She was talking about a clinic. Donor profiles.”“Because we’re looking for a matc
The bright lights of the agency’s main boardroom felt blinding.Cara sat at the head of the polished mahogany table, staring at the glossy mood boards for the new high-end fashion line.Beside her, Natalie, the agency's top model, was animatedly discussing the vision for the upcoming campaign.“I think the theme of ‘Pure Elegance’ really resonates,” Natalie said, flashing a flawless smile. “It’s all about looking perfect on the outside, no matter the chaos behind the scenes. What we wear usually speaks volumes…”Natalie kept talking, but Cara wasn't paying attention anymore. Her mind kept repeating Natalie's earlier words, “Perfect on the outside.”It described her current situation exactly.Cara’s hand drifted instinctively toward her abdomen. A stay-at-home nurse was currently unpacking her bags at the Davis mansion. Her mother-in-law was counting down the hours of her ovulation window.And Lucas was out there, proudly telling the world a lie that would destroy them all if it came t
Cara barely touched her supper. The memory of Martin’s thumb brushing her lip in the hotel lounge kept replaying in her mind, sending unwelcome heat through her body. Lucas hadn't returned from work, which she was grateful for. The thought of seeing him after she and Martin nearly kissed made a knot form in her stomach. “Why aren’t you eating?” Madam Davis asked from across the table, bringing Cara to the present. She noticed her father-in-law's gaze on her too. Cara let out a small cough. “Nothing, my appetite has been bad lately.” “If you're craving something else, you can tell the cook to prepare it for you; don't be so reserved,” her father-in-law said, making Cara give him an uncomfortable nod. She could hear the double meaning of the man's words. Since she was pregnant, she'd have cravings, and she had to alert the kitchen. “I'll do that when the need arises, Father," Cara said quietly. “You should; we're hoping for you to have a healthy baby.” Cara nearly choked on her
6Cara barely slept. The weight of Madam Davis’s words and Martin’s persistent texts coiled in her stomach like live wires. By morning, every movement felt heavy, as if the lie she was now forced to carry had physical mass. She was sipping coffee in the sunlit breakfast nook when Madam Davis swept in, dressed impeccably in a cream silk blouse. The older woman didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “Your ovulation window starts in two days,” she said without preamble, her voice low enough that only Cara would hear. “You don’t have the luxury of hesitation, Cara. I’ve arranged a discreet option if you need it. A clean, healthy man. No questions asked. You wouldn't need to do the physical act.” Cara’s grip tightened on her mug until her knuckles whitened. “I told you I’d handle it.” Madam Davis’s smile was thin and sharp. “Then handle it. Lucas is already telling people the good news. If this pregnancy doesn’t become real soon, the questions will start—” “What questions?” Lucas, who
5Cara waited until they were alone in the upstairs sitting room before she turned on her mother-in-law like a cornered animal.“What the hell was that?” she hissed, keeping her voice low so the maids wouldn’t hear. “Pregnant? Two weeks? Are you out of your mind?”Madam Davis didn’t flinch. She sat gracefully on the velvet sofa, crossing her legs as if they had simply been discussing the weather.“You should be thanking me,” the older woman said coolly. “That doctor’s report would have destroyed this family. Now we have a way out.”“A way out?” Cara laughed bitterly, tears of frustration burning her eyes. “You just told my husband I’m carrying his child when we both know that’s impossible right now! What happens when this lie blows up in our faces?”Madam Davis’s gaze sharpened. “It won’t blow up if you do what you’re told. You will make this pregnancy real, Cara. I can arrange a healthy man for you. Sleep with him tomorrow. Every night until it happens.”Cara stared at her in disbeli
Madam Davis stepped out of the car into the parking lot of First Class Hospital, her shoulders slumped and her face etched with defeat. The truth about her son's condition had grown heavier on her chest. Madam Davis had turned deathly pale. The doctor even recommended Intravaginal Insemination (IVI) using donor semen. He had given them an encouraging smile. “If your husband doesn't want to adopt, you can try that. In fact, your ovulation window begins in three days. I strongly advise you to take full advantage of it. Reduce stress as much as possible and—” Cara barely registered the rest of the advice. Her mind reeled. She was healthy. All the blame, the insults, the years of silent judgment… It had never been her fault. “Shouldn't we call Lucas and tell him the results?” Cara asked the older woman. Madam Davis glared at her.“We can tell Lucas later when he comes home. Do you think this is something that should be discussed over the phone? How insensitive.” Cara bit back a res
“No, please! Let me go!” She protested, violently thrashing her body against him. “Never!” He spat. Aria was filled with fear as the car continued to move away, leaving the hospital behind. ‘Where was he taking her? ... Does Kayden know she has been taken away against her will?’ “Why are you do
“Mrs. Ariana Hunt, can you repeat what you just said?” A bold reporter asked. Jayden made eye contact with James, giving him a silent instruction, to which James nodded, disappearing to the side. “Jayden and I are getting a di…” Aria's remaining words went unheard as the microphone went off. She
“What happened to my father?!” Aria exclaimed.Kayden turned and found Aria behind him with a worried look on her face. ‘Shit! When did she follow him? He didn't even hear her footsteps.’ Realizing no one was answering her question, she tried to open the door wider to ask Mike herself, but Kayden
"Is that important? I nearly lost my and the baby's life there. Shouldn't you worry about that?" After having breakfast this morning and touring the mansion, she felt bored and decided to try some recipes she had seen online to pass the time. The truth is that even though she was practically the







