Chapter 5

• Elena's POV
• I choked on air. "Excuse me?"
• "Not a fake marriage," he clarified, his eyes darkening. "A legal, binding union. You become Mrs. Blackwood. As the spouse of a US citizen, your status is secured immediately. Kane can't touch you. Liam can't threaten you."
• "You're insane," I whispered. "You barely know me."
• "I know you're the best at what you do. I know you're loyal to a fault, until you're betrayed. And I know you need protection." He leaned forward, his intensity suffocating me in the best way possible. "I need a wife to stop my board of directors from pushing matchmakers on me. You need a shield. It's a business transaction."
• A business transaction. Just like Liam and Sophia.
• "I can't," I said, my hand instinctively covering my stomach again. The weight of my secret pressed down on me. "Noah, my life is a mess right now. You don't know the half of it. I... I might have medical issues to deal with."
• I thought of the appointment. The termination.
• Noah's eyes dropped to my hand covering my belly. His gaze lingered there for a second too long. Did he suspect? No, that was impossible.
• "Whatever baggage you have," Noah said firmly, looking back into my eyes, "I can handle it. I don't care about Liam. I don't care about your past. I'm offering you a future."
• He pushed the box closer.
• "Marry me. Join the Titans. And watch Liam Sterling regret the day he was born."
• My heart hammered against my ribs. Revenge. Safety. A way out.
• But could I drag this man into my mess? And what about the baby? If I married Noah, I wouldn't have to worry about money or safety. Maybe... maybe I didn't have to go to that clinic at 2 PM?
• The thought was a tiny spark of light in the darkness.
• "I..." I started, but my phone buzzed again.
• It was a notification from the clinic. Reminder: Your appointment is in 4 hours.
• The reality crashed back in. I couldn't marry Noah Blackwood while carrying Liam's child. It was a deception as bad as Liam's.
• I stood up abruptly. "I need time. I can't give you an answer right now."
• Noah didn't look disappointed. He looked patient. Like a predator waiting for the prey to realize there was nowhere else to run.
• "You have until midnight," he said. "Take the ring."
• "I can't, "
• "Take it," he commanded softly. "Just in case you change your mind. If you don't wear it by midnight, I'll assume the answer is no."
• I hesitated, then grabbed the velvet box. It felt burning hot in my hand.
• "Thank you," I whispered.
• As I turned to leave, Noah spoke one last time.
• "Elena?"
• I looked back.
• "Whatever appointment you have at 2 PM," he said, his voice dropping to a gravelly murmur, "make sure it's what you want. Not what fear is dictating."
• I froze. He knew. I didn't know how, but he knew.
• I fled the jet, my heart racing faster than it ever had for Liam.
• Then 2 PM. I was sitting in the waiting room of the Eastside Women's Clinic. The room smelled of antiseptic and lavender air freshener. It was a scent designed to be calming, but to me, it smelled like despair.
• I sat in the corner, my sunglasses still on, clutching a crumpled intake form.
• Reason for termination: The line was blank.
• How could I explain? My husband is a bigamist. His mistress is carrying his child. I am a pawn in a PR stunt.
• "Elena Vance?"
• A nurse called my name softly. I flinched.
• I stood up, my legs feeling like lead. I walked toward the door, my hand hovering over my flat stomach.
• Make sure it's what you want. Not what fear is dictating.
• Noah Blackwood's deep voice echoed in my mind, drowning out the clinic's hum.
• I stopped in the doorway.
• What did I want?
• I wanted Liam to hurt. I wanted Sophia to pay. But did I want to erase the life growing inside me? This baby was half Liam, yes. But it was also half me. It was the family I had prayed for during those lonely nights while Liam was "away on business."
• If I walked through this door, I was letting Liam win. I was letting his betrayal dictate my body, my future, my motherhood.
• I wasn't a coward. I was a fighter.
• I looked at the nurse, my breath trembling.
• "I... I can't," I whispered.
• The nurse looked sympathetic. "It's okay to be scared, honey. We can reschedule."
• "No," I said, my voice gaining strength. I crumbled the form in my hand. "No rescheduling. I'm keeping it."
• I turned around and walked out. I walked fast, bursting through the clinic doors into the blinding afternoon sun.
• I was keeping my baby. And I was going to make sure Liam Sterling never, ever got his hands on it.
• Two hours later, I was standing in front of the full-length mirror in my bedroom, staring at a stranger.
• Liam had sent a dress. Of course he had. He wanted his "wife" to look perfect for the surprise party he thought I didn't know about.
• It was a floor-length gown in emerald green, the Glaciers' team color. It was tight, backless, and stunning. It was a uniform.
• I zipped it up. It fit like a glove, hiding the secret bump that wasn't showing yet.
• I applied my makeup with surgical precision. Sharp eyeliner. Blood-red lipstick. I wasn't dressing for a party; I was dressing for war.