The Fallout
1189 Words
Chapter 9
The Fallout
Amara’s POV
The air in the room was suffocating. I sat at the edge of my bed, clutching my phone as I scrolled through the messages. One after another, gossip spread like wildfire. My name was everywhere, and the narrative was far from praises.
"Amara Benson, caught between two men? Pregnant and unsure of the father?"
"Damian Kane’s secret lover exposed!"
I couldn’t breathe. My hands trembled as I read the lies. Who could have done this?
“Amara!” my mother, Caroline’s shrill voice echoed through the house. “Get down here now!”
I dragged myself down the stairs, regretting the confrontation waiting for me. Mom stood in the middle of the living room, phone in hand, glaring at me like I had committed the ultimate betrayal.
“What is this?” she yelled, shoving the screen in my face. The headline from one of the gossip sites screamed louder than her voice.
I opened my mouth to speak, but she cut me off. “You’re ruining our name! Do you realize how hard I’ve worked to build this family’s reputation? And now this? A scandal!”
“Mom, it’s not true!” I tried to explain, but my words felt weak even to me.
“Not true?” she snapped. “Explain the photo of you and Damian in this compromised position ! Were you seeing him while you were still engaged to Victor?”
“No!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “That dinner happened after Victor called off the engagement. And I wasn’t even thinking about Damian like that. This picture isn't real!”
“Then how do you explain this?” she demanded, crossing her arms.
“I don’t know! Someone’s trying to ruin me,” I said, tears forming in my eyes. “Please, Mom, you have to believe me.”
“Believe you?” she scoffed. “Look at what you’ve done to us! Do you know how embarrassing this is for me? I’m planning my campaign, Amara! And now I have to deal with this?”
Dad walked into the room, as usual, looking like he would rather be anywhere else. “Caroline, let’s not overreact,” he said, his voice placating.
“Overreact?” Mom snapped. “Matthew, our daughter is pregnant out of wedlock, and now the whole city is talking about her! Do you not see how this affects us?”
I turned to him, desperate for support. “Dad, I didn’t do anything wrong. Please, you have to believe me.”
He hesitated, his gaze darting between me and Mom. “Amara,” he began, his voice heavy. “You’ve put us in a difficult position. Maybe—”
“No!” I cut him off. “Don’t do this to me, Dad. Don’t take her side this time.” I didn't mean to disrespect my dad, but it was too much already. I had longed for the day my dad would stand up to mom, put her in her place, but it seemed such day won't ever come.
Before he could respond, the front door burst open. Damian strode in like he owned the place, his sharp suit and commanding presence silencing everyone in the room.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, his deep voice cutting through the tension.
My mother turned to him, her expression switching from anger to feigned politeness. “Mr. Kane, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Damian ignored her, his piercing gaze locking onto me. “Amara, are you okay?”
I shook my head, unable to speak. How can I when I was drooling over him? He had saved me, but my mind was somewhere else. He looked more handsome than the first night that we met.
He turned back to my parents. “I’m not sure what’s happening here, but I won’t stand by while Amara is treated like this. If anyone should be answering questions, it’s whoever leaked that photo.”
Mom flared up. “Are you suggesting someone in this family would do such a thing? I don't want to believe such thought came to your mind.”
Damian’s gaze didn’t waver. “I’m suggesting you get your priorities straight. Amara doesn’t need to justify herself to anyone. She’s carrying my child, and I intend to stand by her. Aren't you supposed to stand by her as a mother instead of humiliating her? I won't allow anyone humiliate the mother of my child.”
The room fell into dead silence.
“Your child?” Mom repeated, her voice barely a whisper.
“Yes,” Damian said firmly. “And if anyone here thinks they can bully Amara or spread lies about her, they’ll have to deal with me.”
My mother's face turned red with anger. “You think you can just come in here and—”
Damian cut her off. “I can, and I will. Amara doesn’t need your approval or anyone else’s.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding. He was defending me, standing up to my mother in a way no one ever had. This was new, and I can't wait to see where this ends.
“Damian,” I said softly, but he shook his head.
“I’m not done,” he said. “Amara, you don’t owe anyone an explanation. Not your parents, not Victor, and certainly not the press. If they can’t support you, then they don’t deserve to be in your life.”
Mom looked like she was about to explode, but before she could say anything, Sisi walked in, her face smug. “Well, this is cozy,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Damian’s eyes narrowed. “You,” he said. “You’re behind this, aren’t you?”
Sisi feigned innocence instantly. “Me? Why would I do such a thing?”
“Because you can’t stand that Amara is better than you,” he said bluntly.
Sisi’s smirk fade away. “Watch your tone, Damian. You don’t know me.”
“I know enough,” he said. “And if you ever try to hurt Amara again, you’ll regret it.”
The room was silent, everyone too speechless to speak. Finally, Damian turned to me. “Let’s go,” he said, holding out his hand.
I hesitated, glancing at my parents, who looked more shocked than ever. But then I realized Damian was right. I didn’t owe them anything.
Taking his hand, I let him lead me out of the house. As we stepped into the cool night air, I felt a strange sense of relief. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t alone.
The battle had just started, but with Damian by my side, I felt ready for whatever came next. Damian seemed strangely like a new person, and I so much wish he maintains this character and not turn to his ruthless self again.
I knew Victor would want to show himself, but for now, let me gladly stay far away from them until the heat becomes unbearable.
- Writer
