Chapter 7

• Ayla
• I stood against the door of my small servant quarters space, my heart pounding, still reeling from the shock of my husband's words. "I can't believe you'd stoop so low as far as faking a pregnancy for pity."
• My head span, making me slide against the door and onto the cold floor, despite my aching joints and muscles. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms as a boiling feeling envoloped me. How could Roman think I was lying about his own child? Instead of hope and love, all he had subjected me to was rejection and insults.
• "Why would you do this to me, Roman?" I whispered, the tugging chest in my pain making me close my eyes tightly.
• I remembered our wedding day, my trembling lips spreading into a painful smile. My mind pushed one memory after another, each one of them making my eyes burn. Though blurry, I stared at the ring on my finger, a choking sound coming out of my throat. To me it meant everything, but to Roman it was just like any other simple jewelry. Wasn't there any point he looked at it and stopped himself from cheating on me?
• The sound of a knock on the door and it's vibration on my back briefly interrupted my thoughts. I sat still, wondering who would come to my space that late at night. Another knock followed, heightening my curiosity and my pounding heartbeat.
• "Maybe it's Roman," I hopefully whispered, but the hope dissipated just as fast when I remembered his words and Danica's pregnancy.
• I pushed myself up when the third knock came through, still debating whether or not to open the door. When the fourth one sounded, I twisted the knob and pulled the door open.
• "Kaleb?" I blinked rapidly, wiping my eyes to clear my vision. The mansion was visible steps away, with the magnificent lights, reducing the darkness of the night outside.
• I hung my face, not wanting him to see me in that state yet again.
• "Hey Ayla. Am I interrupting?" His voice was so gentle, reminding me of what a caring tone sounded. I hadn't seen him after Catarina flipped my life upside down; it was like he just vanished from the mansion.
• "No," I walked in, beckoning him with my hand. The space was small, but at least it had a bed, a small side table, a bathroom, and a kitchen.
• "Uum," I fumbled with words, realizing that I didn't have any chair that he could sit on or anything edible to offer him at all.
• "I'll sit on the bed, don't worry." It's like he read my mind, but that helped the tension in my body relax a little.
• "Come here, Ayla," he called, tapping the space beside him on the bed. Swallowing, I joined him, his presence in the cramped-up space making me feel things I couldn't quite explain. Yes, I was heartbroken; my emotions were all over, and I was reeling from Roman's words, but something about Kaleb just made me feel like I was alive again.
• "I just came back from a business trip and decided to come see how you are doing," he began, his voice so gentle with a tone that soothed my hurting chest.
• "I'm okay," I breathed the words out, my throat constricting on me.
• "It's written all over your face. Ayla, you are not okay. It's not easy to go through what you are going through and still manage to say that you are fine. I am sorry that this is what my mom has reduced you to." He scooted closer, the side of his body brushing against mine.
• "It's no big deal; I have gotten used to it," I lied, staring at my hands on my lap, trying so hard not to let any more tears fall.
• "I just talked to Marise briefly; she was the one who told me you might still be awake because you finished working late." As he spoke, the pain in my chest was beginning to turn to numbness.
• "She also told me something else; I don't know why, but I guess she felt I could help." My heartbeat paused, then continued after seconds of acceleration. I could almost hear it in my ears.
• "What did she tell you?" I swallowed thickly, crossing my middle finger of my index finger.
• "Hey." He placed his hand on mine, the simple touch igniting a mild warmth.
• "Look at me; let me see your vulnerability, Ayla; don't fear me," he added in a whisper, lifting his hand under my chin to initiate the movement.
• I turned, my insides crumpling under his gentleness and concern. I was minutes from just spewing everything, the weight of it inside my chest weighing it down. Maybe if I opened up, I'd feel much better.
• "What if there was an escape?" I raised my eyebrows; a lot of questions were running through my mind.
• "From what?" I asked stupidly, hanging my face again.
• "From this beautiful. I know there is an agreement, but there could be a way out." My curiosity peaked.
• "But I don't have money to repay, and your mother wouldn't tell me the amount that I owe." My tongue was heavy, and so was my voice, thick with emotions.
• "This is not an ideal place for you, especially now that you are carrying a life." I bit the inside of my cheek, swearing in my head at Marise for telling Kaleb. What was she thinking, telling my secret? Who else was she going to tell?
• "Roman doesn't believe me; he called me a liar." Something inside of me was just compelling me to talk, to let it all out without the fear of being judged.
• "I don't get it, Kaleb; what did I do to deserve this treatment? It's killing me, eating me from the inside every single day," my voice trembled as hot tears fell on my hands on my lap.
• "I gave this marriage everything in me. I sacrificed even my job to make Roman happy. What did I do wrong?" I buried my face in my hands, my shoulders shaking as I just let the emotions flow.
• "It's not your fault, Ayla; you did everything right. Every sane guy out there would want a good woman like you in their lives; it's a pity Roman doesn't see it that way." There was something in his statement that felt like it had a double meaning. I didn't dwell on it though.
• "I feel so invisible," I whispered, my voice muffled by my hands.
• "Not to me, Ayla. I see you; I see everything you do." He placed his hand on my back, the touch again making me feel things that I couldn't explain.
• "I just," I sniffed, my nose clogged up.
• "I just want this to end," I admitted in a broken voice.
• "And it will. Because, like I said, there might be an escape, but I don't know whether you'll like it." I sat up, not bothering to wipe my eyes.
• "Anything that includes not seeing Danica every day or Roman and your mom." I knew Kaleb and his mother didn't really have a good relationship. Catarina never hid the fact that she loved Roman more than Kaleb.
• "I read the agreement, and while my mom told you, you have to become a maid, that's not entirely true." I tilted my head.
• "I don't understand," I responded, my voice hypernasal.
• "It stipulates that you work for the family, and if you ask me, that includes even in the company because it belongs to the family." I didn't get how that was different.
• "That means you can work for the company where the pay is higher and the conditions are better. I have an opening for a secretary, and I was thinking..."
• "Yes!" I shouted, throwing myself at him without a second thought.
• Only when he squeezed me tight against his chest did I realize I was in his arms. I attempted to pull back, but he tightened his hold, then whispered against my ears, sending shivers down my spine.
• "Relax, Ayla; you deserve this hug after what you've been through. Just...enjoy it." Just like that I gave in, closing my eyes while I enjoyed the warmth.