The Trillionaire's Baby mama

Chapter 7

The air in the car felt thick and suffocating, pressing in on me from all sides as Asher loomed over me. His presence filled the small space, stirring memories I had spent the last five years burying. His face was unreadable, but those sharp sapphire eyes—the ones I remembered too well—held a knowing glint that sent my heart racing.

I shifted uncomfortably beneath him, my back pressing against the leather seat as I tried to put some distance between us. "What do you want, Mr Blackwood?" My voice wavered despite my best efforts to sound steady. I wasn’t that girl from five years ago—the one who had let herself get swept up in a moment. I had responsibilities now. A life I needed to protect.

He didn’t answer right away. His hand, large and calloused, brushed against my cheek, and I flinched. That touch, once igniting sparks, now only fueled my fear. I was trapped. He was too close, too calm. Too dangerous.

“You disappeared,” he finally said, his tone steady but his eyes flashing with something darker. “One night, and you were gone. No name. No number. Just vanished.” He paused, leaning in slightly, his breath warm against my skin. “I don’t like being left in the dark, Nerissa.”

I stiffened at the sound of my name on his lips. So, he did remember. Five years of carefully constructed walls, of distance, of trying to stay under the radar—it had all been shattered in an instant. I had hoped he wouldn’t recognize me, that I’d be just another face from his past, easily forgotten. But here I was, trapped in his car, those sapphire eyes reminding me that some things—some people—weren’t so easily left behind.

"It was a mistake, Mr Blackwood" I whispered, turning my face away from him. "That night—it meant nothing."

He laughed, a low, humorless sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “Nothing? Is that what you’ve been telling yourself?” His fingers slid under my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Because I haven’t forgotten, Nerissa. And neither have you.”

My chest tightened, panic clawing at me. *Luke*. He didn’t know about Luke, and he never could. The thought of Asher finding out about my son—our son—was too terrifying to even consider. I had done everything to keep him safe, to keep our lives separate from the chaos of Asher’s world.

“I don’t owe you anything,” I shot back, trying to inject some strength into my voice. “It was one night. That’s it.”

His grip on my chin tightened, and for a moment, I saw something dangerous flicker in his eyes. “One night, and then you disappeared. You think you can just walk away from me, pretend like it never happened?"

I glared at him, summoning every bit of courage I had left. “I did, and I will.”

He stared at me for a long moment, his thumb brushing against my jaw as if weighing his next move. Then, with a suddenness that caught me off guard, he released me, leaning back slightly. The tension between us remained thick, but his tone softened, though it was no less threatening. “You should know better than to test me, Nerissa. Is this about another man?”

I swallowed hard, my mind racing for a way out of this. He was dangerous, persistent, and I knew better than to think I could just walk away unscathed. “Whether I have another man or not is not your business, Mr Blackwood,” I said, my voice quieter now, almost pleading. “That night was a mistake. We moved on.”

He leaned forward again, his gaze locking onto mine, and I felt the weight of his words before he even spoke. “It's Asher. And you might’ve moved on, but I haven’t.”

My heart stuttered, and I realized then just how deep I had gotten myself into. Asher Blackwood wasn’t the type of man to let things go easily. He was relentless, and now that he had found me, I wasn’t sure he would ever let me go.

I shifted in my seat, my mind racing with every possible escape route, but there was no way out. I had to face him head-on. "First, please get off me, Mr. Blackwood" I said, my voice steadying as I met his gaze.

His lips curled into a slow, calculating smile, and the sight of it sent a wave of dread through me, but he released me and I sat up, adjusting my clothes. “I don't think I ever agreed to working extra time.”

He tilted his head, studying me like I was some puzzle he had yet to solve. “You think I don’t remember how things ended that night? You disappeared, Nerissa, without a trace. I searched everywhere for you. I don't care if there is another man. I want you to be mine."

No, this wasn't about another man. It was about a child. His child. But I couldn’t let him know—not like this. Not when he was like this.

Asher’s hand slid away from me, but the intensity in his gaze didn’t fade. “We’re not finished, Nerissa,” he said, his voice soft yet commanding. “You’re coming with me.”

My blood ran cold, and I shook my head. “No. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He didn’t react, didn’t even blink. Instead, he leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, “You don’t have a choice.”

Before I could respond, the driver stepped forward, reaching for my arm. Panic surged through me, but I yanked my arm away, scrambling out of the car. My feet hit the ground, and I bolted, the sound of my heels echoing against the concrete as I ran toward my own car.

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” Asher called after me, but I didn’t stop.

My hands shook as I fumbled with my keys, finally managing to unlock the door and throw myself into the driver’s seat. Slamming the door shut, I locked it, breathing hard as I glanced back through the windshield.

Asher stood a few feet away, watching me with that same maddening calm, as if he knew exactly how this would end. His eyes locked on mine, and I could see the promise in them.

Why was he so bent on this? Does he know about Luke? Does he not have a wife?

I sped out of the parking lot, the sound of my tires screeching against the asphalt, only one thought echoed in my mind: He can’t find out about Luke.