Chapter Eight
981 Words
A Dangerous Discovery
The following week was one of the hardest weeks of Elena's life.
Adrian barely came home.
When he did, he treated her like a ghost.
Days passed without a single meaningful conversation.
Without a single kind word.
Without a single sign that he even remembered she existed.
Elena tried not to let it hurt.
But loneliness had a way of finding every crack in a person's heart.
And hers was already full of them.
---
One evening, Adrian returned home later than usual.
The smell of alcohol reached Elena before he even entered the room.
He was drunk.
Very drunk.
She immediately felt uneasy.
Experience had taught her to be careful when Adrian was in this state.
His moods became unpredictable.
His temper became worse.
And his concern for anyone but himself disappeared completely.
"Adrian," she said quietly, "you should rest."
He ignored her.
Instead, he poured himself another drink.
Then another.
And another.
The night stretched on.
Tense.
Uncomfortable.
Eventually, Elena excused herself and went upstairs.
She prayed the night would end peacefully.
But fate seemed to have other plans.
---
Hours later, Elena woke suddenly.
Pain shot through her body.
A sharp, burning pain that made her gasp.
She sat up immediately.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Her head spun.
Her stomach twisted painfully.
When she tried standing, her knees nearly gave out beneath her.
Fear flooded her chest.
She stumbled toward the bathroom.
And froze.
There was blood.
Far more blood than there should have been.
Her hands began shaking.
"No..."
Panic rose inside her.
The room tilted dangerously.
Elena grabbed the sink to steady herself.
But the dizziness only worsened.
She couldn't think clearly.
Couldn't breathe properly.
Couldn't stop trembling.
With shaking fingers, she searched desperately for her phone.
Then remembered.
Adrian had taken it days ago.
Fresh panic swept through her.
She needed help.
Now.
Summoning the last of her strength, she hurried downstairs.
The mansion felt enormous.
Every step hurt.
Every movement drained her energy.
Finally, she found Adrian asleep on the couch.
An empty bottle lay nearby.
"Adrian..."
No response.
She touched his shoulder.
"Adrian."
Still nothing.
She shook him harder.
His eyes opened briefly.
"What?"
His voice was thick with alcohol.
"I don't feel well."
He frowned.
"So?"
The single word stunned her.
She stared at him.
Unable to believe what she'd heard.
"I'm bleeding."
For a moment, he looked annoyed rather than concerned.
Then he closed his eyes again.
"Call a doctor."
And just like that, he went back to sleep.
As though she hadn't spoken.
As though she didn't matter.
As though she might not collapse right there in front of him.
Elena stood frozen.
Heartbroken.
Then she turned away.
Because there was no point expecting help from someone who didn't care.
---
Fortunately, one of the servants noticed her condition.
Within minutes, the servant secretly called Mira.
And Mira came immediately.
Just like she always did.
The moment she saw Elena, her face turned pale.
"My God."
Mira rushed forward.
"Elena!"
Tears filled Elena's eyes.
"Mira..."
That was all it took.
Mira wrapped an arm around her and helped her to the car.
"We're going to the hospital."
---
The drive felt endless.
Elena sat curled in the passenger seat while Mira drove as fast as she safely could.
Everything hurt.
Her body.
Her heart.
Her soul.
Mira kept glancing over.
Trying to reassure her.
Trying to stay calm.
But Elena could see the fear in her eyes.
And it terrified her.
---
By the time they arrived at the hospital, Elena was exhausted.
Doctors immediately rushed her inside.
Tests were performed.
Questions were asked.
Nurses moved in and out of the room.
Hours seemed to pass.
Finally, a doctor entered.
He was smiling.
Smiling.
Elena didn't understand why.
The doctor looked at her chart.
Then back at her.
"Mrs. Hart?"
Elena nodded weakly.
The doctor smiled again.
"Congratulations."
She frowned.
"What?"
The doctor's smile widened.
"You're pregnant."
The room fell silent.
Completely silent.
Elena stared at him.
Certain she had heard wrong.
Pregnant?
No.
That wasn't possible.
Was it?
Her heart began racing.
The doctor continued speaking, but his words sounded distant.
Muffled.
As though she were underwater.
Pregnant.
A baby.
Her baby.
Adrian's baby.
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
Not tears of happiness.
Not yet.
Shock.
Fear.
Confusion.
The doctor looked puzzled.
Most married women celebrated such news.
Elena looked terrified.
"Are you alright?"
She couldn't answer.
Because all she could think about was Adrian.
What would he say?
What would he do?
Would he be angry?
Would he hate the child?
Would he blame her?
Her hands moved instinctively to her stomach.
A tiny life.
Growing inside her.
A life completely innocent.
A life that deserved better than she had ever received.
Mira entered the room moments later.
The doctor smiled.
"Congratulations to both of you."
Mira looked confused.
Then realization dawned.
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
The doctor nodded happily.
"She's pregnant."
Mira gasped.
Then immediately hugged Elena.
Tears filled her eyes too.
For the first time that day, Elena felt safe.
But only for a moment.
Because reality quickly returned.
Adrian.
The thought struck her like lightning.
She grabbed Mira's hand desperately.
"Mira."
Her voice trembled.
"Please."
Mira frowned.
"What is it?"
"Don't tell him."
The room fell silent again.
The doctor's smile faded.
Elena looked from Mira to the doctor.
Begging.
Pleading.
Terrified.
"Please don't tell Adrian."
Neither of them understood fully.
Not yet.
But they could see the fear in her eyes.
And that fear told them everything they needed to know.
Because a woman shouldn't be afraid to tell her husband she's carrying his child.
Yet Elena was.
Terrified.
And somewhere beyond the hospital walls, fate was already moving.
Because Adrian was about to arrive.
And the secret Elena desperately wanted to protect would soon face its first real danger.
- Writer
