THE SECRET UNDER HIS ROOF
1765 Words
The black car finally stopped.
Seli looked through the window.
Her eyes widened.
She had expected President Fu to take her to a hotel or perhaps a small guesthouse.
She hadn't expected this.
A massive mansion stood behind tall iron gates, surrounded by perfectly trimmed gardens and bright lights.
Seli stared at the enormous building.
“Where are we?”
“My residence.”
Her head snapped toward him.
“What?”
President Fu stepped out of the car.
Seli remained seated.
“No. I can't stay here.”
Fu stopped beside the open door.
“You said you needed somewhere safe.”
“I did, but I didn't mean your house.”
“You can leave.”
Seli looked at the dark road behind her.
The rain was still pouring.
She knew exactly where she would end up if she left.
Nowhere.
Fu noticed her hesitation.
“You can stay for tonight.”
Seli looked at him suspiciously.
“Why are you helping me?”
Fu's eyes remained on her.
“I don't know.”
That answer surprised her.
He turned away.
“Come inside.”
Seli slowly stepped out.
As they walked toward the mansion, she kept her eyes lowered.
She didn't know what she was doing.
She didn't know why she was trusting a complete stranger.
And she certainly didn't know that walking through those doors would change her life.
The moment the front doors opened, a housekeeper hurried toward them.
“President Fu, you're back.”
Fu nodded.
Then the woman's eyes landed on Seli.
Her smile disappeared.
She looked at Fu.
Then at Seli.
Then back at Fu.
“President Fu…”
“Prepare a room for her.”
The housekeeper looked stunned.
“For her?”
Fu's expression hardened.
“Did I say something unclear?”
“No, sir.”
“Then do it.”
“Yes, President Fu.”
Seli quickly interrupted.
“Please, you don't have to prepare a room. I'll only stay until the rain stops.”
Fu turned toward her.
“It has been raining for hours.”
Seli didn't answer.
“Your room is upstairs.”
“President Fu—”
“Enough.”
His voice wasn't loud.
But it was firm enough to stop her.
Fu walked away.
Seli stared after him.
The housekeeper approached her carefully.
“Miss, please follow me.”
Seli followed.
As they climbed the stairs, she couldn't shake the strange feeling inside her.
She had entered President Fu's house less than ten minutes ago.
Yet somehow, it already felt as though she had stepped into a world filled with secrets.
Meanwhile, President Fu stood alone in his study.
Han entered a few minutes later.
“President Fu.”
Fu turned.
“What did you find?”
Han handed him a file.
“We investigated Seli's background.”
Fu opened it.
He read the first page.
Then the second.
His expression slowly changed.
“She doesn't have much.”
“No, sir.”
“Her family?”
“Complicated.”
Fu looked up.
“Explain.”
Han hesitated.
“Her stepmother and stepsister have been controlling most of the family's financial affairs. Seli has been working to support herself.”
Fu's eyes darkened.
“And the hospital?”
Han lowered his voice.
“That part is strange.”
Fu closed the file.
“Why?”
“According to the records, Seli was taken to the hospital tonight because her family wanted her to undergo a medical procedure.”
Fu's expression immediately hardened.
“Was it necessary?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“We haven't confirmed everything yet.”
Fu stood.
“Find out.”
“Yes, sir.”
Han turned to leave.
“Han.”
He stopped.
Fu looked at the file again.
“Don't let anyone know she's here.”
Han looked surprised.
“Not even Madam Fu?”
“Especially not my family.”
“Yes, President Fu.”
Han left.
Fu remained alone.
His eyes fell on one line in the report.
Seli — pregnant.
For some reason, the word bothered him.
He didn't know why.
He closed the file.
But his mind wouldn't let it go.
Seli stood inside the guest bedroom.
It was larger than the entire apartment she had grown up in.
There was a huge bed, a private bathroom, a balcony, and a wardrobe filled with brand-new clothes.
Seli stared at everything.
“This is too much.”
The housekeeper smiled gently.
“President Fu instructed us to prepare everything you might need.”
Seli frowned.
“Why?”
The woman hesitated.
“I don't know.”
Seli walked toward the window.
She looked down at the garden.
Everything was so peaceful.
Almost too peaceful.
Her phone suddenly vibrated.
Seli's heart jumped.
She looked at the screen.
Another message from her stepmother.
You cannot hide forever. Come back before tomorrow morning.
Seli's hands trembled.
Then another message arrived.
If you don't come back, you'll regret it.
Seli quickly switched off the phone.
She pressed her back against the wall.
“I won't go back.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
She placed a hand over her stomach.
“Whatever happens, I won't let them hurt you.”
A soft knock came from the door.
Seli quickly wiped her face.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
President Fu stood there.
Seli immediately straightened.
“President Fu?”
His eyes moved toward her.
“You haven't eaten.”
“I'm not hungry.”
“Eat.”
Seli frowned.
“You always order people around?”
“Yes.”
She stared at him.
Fu stared back.
For the first time, Seli noticed something almost amusing about his expression.
“You're unbelievable.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
Fu stepped inside.
Seli immediately became nervous.
“Why are you here?”
“I came to check on you.”
“Why?”
He paused.
“I don't know.”
Seli stared at him.
Again?
That was his answer?
Fu looked at her.
“You're staying here tonight. Tomorrow, I'll arrange somewhere else for you.”
Seli nodded.
“Thank you.”
Fu turned toward the door.
Then Seli suddenly spoke.
“President Fu.”
He stopped.
“Why did you really bring me here?”
Fu looked back.
Seli took a breath.
“You could have left me on the street. Why didn't you?”
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Fu didn't have an answer.
He should have said it was because she looked unwell.
He should have said it was simply an act of kindness.
But instead, he said:
“I don't like leaving people helpless.”
Seli's expression softened.
“Thank you.”
Fu turned away.
But before he could leave, Seli suddenly became pale.
She grabbed the edge of the table.
Fu immediately noticed.
“Seli?”
“I'm fine.”
She tried to stand straight.
Then her eyes closed for a moment.
Fu crossed the room quickly and steadied her.
Seli opened her eyes.
“I'm okay.”
Fu's eyes moved toward her stomach.
Then back to her face.
“When did you last eat?”
“I don't remember.”
His expression darkened.
“That's not acceptable.”
Seli frowned.
“You're not my father.”
Fu went completely still.
Seli immediately regretted saying it.
“Sorry.”
Fu released her arm.
His expression became cold again.
“Get some rest.”
He turned and walked out.
Seli watched him disappear.
She didn't know why, but she felt as though she had just said something that affected him more than she realized.
Downstairs, Fu's mother had just arrived.
She stepped through the front door with two assistants following behind her.
“Where is my son?”
The housekeeper froze.
“Madam…”
Fu's mother noticed her nervous expression.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Don't lie to me.”
The housekeeper lowered her head.
Fu's mother looked around.
Then she noticed something.
A woman's handbag sat on a nearby chair.
Her expression changed.
“Whose bag is that?”
The housekeeper's face went pale.
“Madam, I…”
“Answer me.”
Before the housekeeper could speak, Fu's mother heard footsteps upstairs.
She looked toward the staircase.
A young woman slowly appeared.
Seli.
She was wearing the simple clothes the housekeeper had given her.
Fu's mother stared at her.
Seli stopped.
Their eyes met.
Silence filled the mansion.
Seli immediately became uncomfortable.
“Hello.”
Fu's mother didn't answer.
Her eyes moved from Seli's face to her stomach.
Then back to her face.
“Who are you?”
Seli swallowed.
“My name is Seli.”
“And what are you doing in my son's house?”
Seli opened her mouth.
Before she could answer, another voice came from behind them.
“Mother.”
President Fu stood at the entrance of the hallway.
His expression was unusually cold.
Fu's mother turned.
“You brought a woman into this house?”
“She's staying for the night.”
“Who is she?”
“Seli.”
“I heard her name.”
Fu's mother looked at him sharply.
“I asked who she is to you.”
Seli lowered her eyes.
Fu remained silent.
His mother took a step closer.
“Fu, are you hiding something from me?”
“No.”
“Then why is she here?”
Fu's eyes moved toward Seli.
For a strange moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Seli suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.
She grabbed the railing.
Fu immediately noticed.
“Seli!”
He moved toward her.
Fu's mother watched carefully.
Her eyes narrowed.
The way her son looked at Seli wasn't normal.
Then Seli whispered something that made the entire room fall silent.
“I think I'm going to be sick.”
Fu immediately reached for her.
His mother stared at them.
Then her gaze dropped to Seli's stomach.
A terrible suspicion entered her mind.
She turned toward her son.
“Fu…”
He looked at her.
His mother spoke slowly.
“Is that woman pregnant?”
Fu's expression changed.
Seli froze.
Nobody spoke.
And upstairs, hidden inside Seli's bag, was the hospital report that could reveal exactly how far along her pregnancy was.
A report that could also reveal something else.
Something that President Fu had no idea about.
The date of Seli's pregnancy matched the exact night Fu had been unable to remember.
And if Fu ever discovered the truth…
His entire world would change.
To Be Continued…
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