One night with my step brother’s enemy

The CEO Is The Father Of My Baby The pregnancy test slipped from Ava's trembling fingers and hit the bathroom floor. For a moment, she simply stared at it, hoping the result would somehow change if she looked long enough. It didn't, positive. Again. A knot tightened painfully in her chest as she reached for the second test lying beside the sink. Positive. The third one wasn't any different. Three tests, three pink lines. Three confirmations that her life had just spiraled completely out of control. "No..." she whispered, shaking her head. But denial couldn't erase the truth. Ava pressed a hand against her flat stomach. Nothing had changed. There was no visible bump. No sign that a tiny life was growing inside her. Yet everything had changed, one reckless night, one stranger. One mistake she had spent months trying to forget. A sharp knock rattled the bathroom door, making her jump. "Ava!" Her stepmother's voice instantly sent panic racing through her. "What are you doing in there? We don't have money to waste on water." Ava hurriedly shoved the pregnancy tests into her bag before unlocking the door. The older woman was waiting outside with her arms crossed. Her eyes narrowed immediately. "Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" "I'm fine." "You don't look fine." Ava forced a smile she didn't feel. "I have an interview today." Her stepmother snorted. "Then pray they hire you. We can't keep feeding an extra mouth forever." The familiar sting settled deep in Ava's chest. An extra mouth, a burden. A responsibility nobody wanted. Some days she wondered if her stepmother had ever called her by name when she wasn't angry. Without responding, Ava grabbed her bag and headed for the door. If she got this job, things would finally start changing. They had to. Because she wasn't just fighting for herself anymore. She was fighting for the secret growing inside her. Ava tightened her grip on the strap of her bag as she was about to step into the morning sun. Life wasn't supposed to look like this. Not at twenty-two. Not when she had spent years planning every step of her future. Ever since she was a little girl, she had dreamed of becoming a doctor. While other children played with dolls, Ava spent hours reading old science books borrowed from the public library. She remembered sitting beside her mother's hospital bed years ago, watching doctors rush in and out of the room. Some looked tired, some looked distracted, dome barely listened. And one mistake had changed everything. The memory still haunted her. She could still hear her mother's weak voice telling her not to cry. Could still remember holding her hand as the machines beeped around them. Could still remember the helpless feeling of knowing there was nothing she could do. That day had changed her life forever. She had made a promise, one day, she would become the kind of doctor who listened. The kind who cared, the kind who gave people a fighting chance. For years, that dream had kept her going through every insult, every rejection and every difficult day under her stepmother's roof. Whenever life became unbearable, she reminded herself that one day things would be different. One day she would wear a white coat, one day she would save lives, one day she would make her mother proud. But now everything felt uncertain. Medical school required money. Babies required money. And she barely had enough for herself. Ava swallowed hard. Fear had become a constant companion these past few weeks. Every morning she woke up wondering how she was supposed to do this. How was she supposed to chase her dream while carrying a child? How was she supposed to tell people she was pregnant? Who is even ready to listen to her, she has kept it as a secret,but for how long is it supposed to be a secret. How was she supposed to explain that she didn't even know the man responsible? The questions never stopped, neither did the fear. Lots of questions everyday just to keep her hope alive. Yet despite everything, one thing remained certain. She couldn't give up, not on herself, not on her baby and definitely not on the dream she had carried for most of her life. Maybe this interview was the beginning of something better. Maybe it was the answer she desperately needed. Or maybe life was about to surprise her again. An hour later, Ava stood outside Blackwood Enterprises. The building towered over the city like a monument to power and wealth. Glass walls reflected the morning sunlight while luxury cars lined the entrance. People like her didn't belong in places like this. Still, she couldn't afford to walk away, because she needs that more than ever before,if not for herself,for her baby because she knows where she is coming from. But sometimes situations don't even care where you are coming from before they come into your life,they come unannounced and with permission they get in and settled down like they own the place Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside. The lobby alone was bigger than her entire house. Employees hurried in every direction carrying tablets, coffee cups, and briefcases. Conversations filled the air while elevators continuously opened and closed. Everything moved fast. Everything felt important. Everything reminded Ava that she was completely out of her depth. Approaching the reception desk, she introduced herself and was directed to the thirty-eighth floor for her interview. Her stomach churned as she entered the elevator. This could be her chance. Her chance to save enough money for medical school. Her chance to finally become something more than the unwanted girl living under someone else's roof. The doors began closing. Then a hand appeared between them. The elevator reopened. A man stepped inside. Ava froze. The air left her lungs so quickly she nearly staggered backward. No. It couldn't be. The folder slipped slightly in her grasp as her eyes locked onto the man's face. Dark hair, sharp jawline and broad shoulders. The same cold, devastatingly handsome features she had spent months trying to forget. Her pulse exploded. The stranger from that night, the father of her baby. For several unbearable seconds, she could do nothing but stare. He didn't recognize her, at least not immediately. His attention remained fixed on his phone as the elevator climbed higher. Twenty. Twenty-five. Thirty. Ava's heart hammered against her ribs. How was this possible? Of all the places in the city. Of all the people in the world. Why him? The elevator doors opened and the man stepped out. Then everything became worse. Employees immediately straightened. "Good morning, Mr. Blackwood." "Morning, sir." "Good to see you, Mr. Blackwood." Ava felt her blood turn to ice. Mr. Blackwood. Her eyes widened. Adrian Blackwood. The billionaire CEO. The owner of Blackwood Enterprises. The man whose face regularly appeared on magazine covers and business news channels. The most powerful man in the city. And the father of her child. "Oh my God." The words escaped before she could stop them. The elevator doors closed again, leaving her standing alone. Months. She had spent months carrying his baby without knowing who he really was. The realization nearly made her sick. The interview itself became a blur. Questions were asked. Answers left her mouth automatically. By the time she walked back onto the street, she couldn't remember half of what had happened. Her phone suddenly vibrated. Ethan. A chill ran through her. She answered immediately. "Hello?" "Where are you?" His voice sounded colder than usual. "I'm still in the city." "When were you planning to tell me?" Ava frowned. "Tell you what?" "I'm home." Her steps faltered. "What?" "My trip ended yesterday." Her heart stopped. Yesterday? That wasn't possible, he wasn't supposed to return for another week. A heavy silence settled between them. Then Ethan spoke again. "Get home now, Ava." The call ended, no explanation, no warning. Nothing. A sick feeling settled in her stomach. Something was wrong, very wrong. By the time she arrived home, the sun was already setting. The house felt strangely quiet. Almost too quiet. Ava stepped inside cautiously. "Ethan?" No answer. Then she heard voices coming from the living room. Male voices. One belonged to Ethan. The other she didn't recognize. Ava moved closer. Then she heard her name. "she doesn't know anything." Ethan's voice was cold. Sharp. "Make sure she never finds out." Ava froze. Find out what? The second man laughed. "You've been keeping secrets from her for years." Years? Her stomach twisted. The floor creaked beneath her foot. Silence instantly followed. Ava's eyes widened. Footsteps approached. Slow but deliberate. The living room door opened. Ethan stood there. His expression was unreadable. His gaze landed on her face before dropping lower. Toward her stomach. A strange look flashed through his eyes. One she'd never seen before. And suddenly, Ava knew. Somehow, some way he knew. Ethan took a slow step toward her. "Ava," he said quietly. Too quietly. His gaze never left her. "Is there something you need to tell me?" For the first time since seeing those two pink lines, Ava felt genuine fear.