Semua Bab Pregnant with the Devil's Heir: Bab 11 - Bab 15

Aria..The next morning, I made sure I reached the dining room before eight. I wasn't going to give Lucian another reason to punish me—or worse, someone else because of me. The memory of Natalia and her little boy was still fresh in my mind. I quietly took my seat while the maids arranged the breakfast on the long dining table. The room was peaceful without Lucian, and for a few precious moments, I was able to breathe without feeling his presence.The grandfather clock suddenly chimed.Eight times.Right on cue, Lucian walked into the dining room.Not a second early.Not a second late.Exactly at eight.His eyes immediately landed on me. A slow, satisfied smile appeared on his lips, as though he was pleased that I had finally learned to obey his rules. Without saying a word, he walked to the head of the table and took his seat. The maids quickly served breakfast, and silence settled between us as we began eating.For the first few minutes, neither of us spoke.I prayed the meal would

Lucian....I walked into my office and closed the door behind me. The silence was exactly what I needed. Removing my suit jacket, I tossed it over the back of my chair before pouring myself a glass of whiskey.Aria Romano.Any other man would call her beautiful.They would describe her as gentle, kind, and innocent.But I wasn't any other man.Every time I looked at her, I didn't see beauty.I saw the blood running through her veins.The blood of the Romano family.The blood of the man who destroyed everything that belonged to me.People said children shouldn't pay for their parents' sins.I disagreed.Some debts were too great to be forgotten.Some wounds were too deep to heal.And some families deserved to lose everything they loved.To the world, Aria Romano might have been the most beautiful woman alive.To me...She was the ugliest woman on earth.Not because of her face.Because of her name.I pressed the intercom."Send the head gardener to my office."A few minutes later, ther

Aria..The next morning, I woke before sunrise. By six o'clock, I was already in the kitchen, helping the cooks prepare breakfast. Lucian had ordered me to assist in managing the household, and although I still didn't understand why, I decided not to complain. The kitchen was surprisingly warm and lively. The maids chatted while chopping vegetables, the chefs barked playful orders at one another, and for the first time in months, I felt like I belonged somewhere.After breakfast was served and everyone had finished eating, I hurried upstairs to shower. My body ached from standing for hours, but the warm water washed away the exhaustion. I changed into a simple outfit—a white blouse with an open back and a short floral skirt. It was much shorter than what I usually wore, exposing more of my legs than I was comfortable with. A younger version of me would have changed immediately, worrying about what others would think.Not anymore.I was tired of living in fear.If this was what I wante