TOO LATE TO BEG, EX-HUSBAND

my secret

Alex’s car pulled up to the front of my house The car door opened and Alex reached into the back seat.’He lifted me into his arms I could barely keep my eyes open.

Grandfather’s face turned cold when he saw Alex carrying me He gripped his cane and stepped forward “What did you do to my granddaughter Vance?”

“She collapsed in my office after we signed the trade deal” Alex replied “I brought her home because she was too weak.

Alex carried me inside My foot slipped and I started to fall from his arms Alex quickly held me tighter.

He carried me past the guards and into the parlor He placed me on the sofa and kept one hand on my back until I was steady.

Grandfather rushed into the room “Mia! Speak to me!”

He touched my cheek before turning to Alex “If you touched her or threatened her in any way”

“I did not touch her Chairman Moretti” Alex replied “We finished our business and she suddenly became pale and weak. She refused to go to the hospital so I brought her home.”

Grandfather pulled out his phone and called the family doctor “Doctor Chen Come to the Moretti estate now My granddaughter is sick.”

He ended the call and placed his hand on my forehead “Hold on Mia The doctor will be here soon.”

I sat up and pulled Alex’s suit jacket around my stomach “Grandfather I am fine I just need to sleep.”

Alex stayed beside the sofa He watched me without saying anything He wanted to know why I had become sick after he asked about my past

Five minutes later Doctor Chen came in with his medical bag He placed it on the table and opened it

“Let me check her” he said

He took out a syringe “I need to take a blood sample to check her blood.”

Doctor Chen reached for my arm

My body went stiff I looked at the needle and then at Alex.

If he took my blood they would find out about my pregnancy. Grandfather would know my secret and Alex would know too.”

“Stop! Do not touch me with that!” I pulled my arm away and pressed myself against the sofa.

Doctor Chen stopped “Miss Mia I need to check your blood It will only take a second.”

“I said no!” I held Alex’s jacket over my stomach “I hate needles, I am not taking any blood test today!”

Grandfather stepped forward “Mia You almost passed out Let the doctor check you.”

“No Grandfather I just have not eaten all day” I said quickly “I skipped breakfast and lunch because I was working on the contract I just need food and water.”

Alex stepped closer and looked at me “You were fine before our meeting. You did not faint from hunger.”You became sick when I asked where you had been for the last three years.”

My breath caught

I looked at him “Your questions were rude Mr. Vance I spent years away from this city and I do not have to explain my personal life to you You stressed me out so much that my stomach started hurting.”

Grandfather turned to Alex “You were questioning her about her past while trying to sign a contract? Is that how Vance Global does business?”

“I was asking a simple question Chairman” Alex replied He picked up a glass of orange juice and handed it to me “Drink this.”

My hand shook as I took the glass I drank the juice and lowered the glass

Doctor Chen looked at Grandfather “If she refuses the blood test I can check her pulse and blood pressure for now But if she faints again she must go to the hospital.”

“Check her pulse then,” Grandfather ordered, keeping his eyes on me. Doctor Chen pressed two fingers against my wrist and waited for a moment before pulling his hand away. “Her heart rate is high from stress and exhaustion. She needs food and bed rest tonight.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Grandfather said. He told the guard to take Doctor Chen out of the room. Once the doctor left, Grandfather turned to Alex. “You have seen that my granddaughter is home and safe. Our legal team will handle the dock papers tomorrow. You can leave now.”

Alex did not leave at once. He looked down at me as I sat on the sofa with his jacket around my shoulders. “You are good at business, Miss Moretti, but you are not good at hiding when you are afraid.” He took his jacket from my shoulders and folded it over his arm.

I pulled my arms close to my body so my belly would not show. Alex looked at me for a moment before stepping back. “I will see you tomorrow at nine for the signing. Do not be late.”

He turned and walked out of the parlor. I listened until the front door closed behind him. Grandfather came over and sat beside me, his face serious as he looked at me. “Now tell me the truth, Mia. Why did you really become sick in front of Alex?”

My mouth went dry. “I told you, Grandfather. I was hungry and stressed.”

“Do not lie to me,” Grandfather said, hitting his cane against the floor. “Alex Vance is not just a businessman. He is watching us closely. If he thinks you are weak, he could use it against us. And we have another problem tonight.”

Grandfather picked up the remote and turned on the television. A news reporter stood outside a luxury hotel. A sports car stopped in front of the hotel, and Jack stepped out. He walked around the car and opened the door for Nina. She stepped out wearing a diamond necklace and held his arm as cameras flashed around them.

“Look at this,” Grandfather said. “Your ex-husband just spent four million dollars on that necklace for Nina. He wants everyone to see him spending money while you are starting over. The news is already calling you a broke woman who was replaced by another woman.”

I stared at the screen. Jack had no idea how much I had done for him during our marriage. I had cooked for him, washed his clothes and helped him with his business. Now he wanted the whole city to believe I had nothing.

“Jack thinks I have nothing left,” I said. “He thinks I will hide and cry because he took my home and money.”

“Then show him he is wrong,” Grandfather said. “Tomorrow, everyone will be watching the Moretti Group. You cannot let Alex see you as weak.”

“I will not,” I said. “I will sign the deal with Vance Global tomorrow, and I will take back everything Jack took from me.”

Grandfather looked at me for a moment before nodding. “Good. Go to your room and rest. Martha is making your soup.”

I stood up and walked out of the parlor. My legs still felt weak as I climbed the stairs and held the railing. When I reached my bedroom, I walked inside and locked the door.

As soon as I was alone, I ran into the bathroom and dropped to my knees in front of the toilet. I threw up and stayed there for a moment, trying to catch my breath. I placed one hand over my stomach.

“I have to keep this baby safe,” I whispered. “I need to tell Grandfather the truth. I can’t keep hiding it from him.