CHAPTER 4: BACK FROM THE DEAD
1557 Words
(Devina's POV)
I couldn't believe my ears. I looked at the doctor again, hoping I had misheard or that there was a hint of sarcasm in his eyes—but none came. I had heard correctly, and he was dead serious.
"Mrs. Foxx," he called again, handing me the test results, which Darius quickly snatched from him.
He glanced over them in a frenzy, his eyes flickering with an inexplicable glint.
"You're really pregnant," he said, his eyes shining with a strange emotion, one I had never seen in the eight months we've been married.
"Yeah, I am?" I stuttered, my head spinning in confusion. I couldn't understand what was happening.
How am I pregnant? This must be a mistake. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was carrying a baby, a baby I never even knew existed until now.
Darius came close, his eyes still flickering with that strange emotion.
He placed his hand on my stomach, his gaze meeting mine. For the first time since I'd known him, there was no coldness or irritation in his charming hazel eyes.
I looked away and pulled back from him. Guilt swelled inside me—fear too, if he found out that I didn’t know who the father of this child really was I would be toast.
"I’ll have to speak to Mr. Hills about the contract. We may need to make a few adjustments since it seems I’ll soon be a father." His eyes gleamed with a familiar glow, a glow that appeared only when he was pleased, which was rare.
"Darius, can I speak to my dad first?" I pleaded, unsure why I wanted to see my father.
Maybe I needed an excuse to leave the house, to clear my head and confirm if I was really pregnant. It still didn’t feel real.
"Whatever suits you," he replied in his usual cold demeanor.
"Thank you very much Dr Smith." He cheerfully greeted and walked straight to the car afterwards with me following behind.
"Take us to the Hills' Villa," he ordered the chauffeur as soon we got into the car.
I was a bit surprised by how quickly we left. I didn’t expect it, and while I didn’t want to protest, I was frightened.
I knew what my father’s reaction would be. I’d been scared of him ever since he came to our family villa and proposed this arrangement.
As we stopped in front of the house, I felt a little nostalgic. It reminded me of the days when I had been a prisoner within these walls.
Not that I’m free now.
I stepped out of the car, hoping Alfred would drive away, but he didn’t. Instead, he rolled down the window and stared at my petite figure.
"You have thirty minutes," he said, glancing at his wristwatch.
"I don’t plan on coming home tonight," I stammered, my mind blanking out in fear. Did I just dare challenge the Alpha king?
"You don’t have a choice!" he growled. "I still own you until the contract expires." His eyes bore coldly into mine. I shivered as I abruptly turned on my heels and headed toward the door.
Opening the door, I was greeted by the familiar scent of baked chicken and soup. The villa hadn’t changed at all since I’d left.
"Mom! It's Devy!" my little brother Angus squealed with delight, rushing into my arms.
"Devina, is that you?" my mother asked, shock evident in her voice. She rushed out of the kitchen, still unable to believe it was me.
She hugged me tightly, her sobs muffled against my shoulder.
"Mother, please stop. I’m all right," I said, trying to soothe her. She stopped abruptly, worry creasing her forehead.
"But you’re not supposed to be here until the contract ends. Did something happen?" Before I could answer, a voice boomed through the room, a voice I knew all too well, one I had dreaded my entire life.
"What are you doing here, Devina? You’re not supposed to be here." It was my father, Jonas Hills. He growled as he approached, his stern eyes searching mine for answers.
"I came with the Alpha's permission, Father. He asked to speak with you later this week," I croaked, fear lacing my voice.
"You haven’t done anything to breach the contract, have you? You know what that contract means to the family!" he snapped.
"No, Father."
"Why would Alpha Darius want to speak with me?" He mumbled, his stern gaze never leaving mine.
"Father I’m..pregnant," I blurted out. I wasn’t sure how easily that word had slipped out.
I just hadn’t been thinking straight today. I didn’t know how my father would react, but I didn’t expect it to be good.
But I was wrong.
I watched in shock as his stern demeanor gradually softened into a wide grin, a very rare sight to behold.
The last time I’d seen him grin like that was when he signed the contract with Alpha Alfred Williams.
"This is the first time you’ve done something worthwhile, Devina," he said, patting my head.
"Not only have you secured the contract, but you’ve also solidified your marriage with the Alpha. This is good news," he added, his face glowing with joy.
I scoffed lightly, what was I expecting?
My mother held me close, her eyes wide with shock. She looked at my stomach and placed her hands on it, still unsure if she’d heard me right.
"How did it happen? You weren’t supposed to be intimate," she asked, her voice trembling with confusion.
"It was a mistake, Mother. I don't know how..It wasn’t supposed to happen, we—"
"It doesn’t matter how or when it happened, Amelia," my father interrupted.
"This is good for the family. We now have legal claims to the company and our inheritance. Do you know what this means for our family?
The connections we’ll gain in Oakville as the Luna’s family?" he smirked, his eyes gleaming with greed.
I felt nauseous. All he ever cared about was wealth and status, never his family’s happiness. He would trade us for power without a second thought.
Suddenly, the door swung open, startling us all. Angus clung to me tighter as Alfred entered the room, his presence stiffening the air.
"It seems my wife has lost track of time," Darius said, his voice ringing through the vast room.
"Alpha Darius, what a pleasant surprise. Please, have a seat," my father said, trying to ingratiate himself.
"Another time, Mr. Hills. I’ve come to take my wife home," Darius replied coldly, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Ah! Then we must not keep you waiting. Devina!" my father called, giving me a stern look, as if trying to communicate something.
"Mr. Hills, I’ll see you in my office later this week. My secretary will inform you of the date," Alfred said, finally taking his gaze off me to address my father.
"That’s fine, Alpha Darius. I hope there’s no issue with the contract or my daughter?" he asked, searching for a reaction.
"There will be a slight adjustment to the contract," Darius replied, his face expressionless.
Without warning, Darius stepped forward, grabbed my hand, and muttered a goodbye to my family as we headed toward the door.
I could hear my mother’s quiet sobs as I was dragged out.
Suddenly, driven by an unseen force, I pulled away from Alfred and ran back to my mother, embracing her tightly. Tears spilled down my face as I sobbed uncontrollably.
Without warning, a forceful hand yanked me back, followed by a blinding slap across my face. I cringed at the impact, my head spinning.
"How dare you disrespect the Alpha this way!" my father snapped. For a moment, my mind was in chaos as I stood there, stunned.
"Mr. Hills, you have no right to lay a finger on my wife," Darius growled dangerously, stepping forward.
"I’m sorry, Alpha. I couldn’t stand such insolence," my father apologized, glaring at me.
Darius walked closer and whispered something in my ear, but I couldn’t hear a thing—my ears were still ringing from the slap.
"If there's anyone who can punish her for any insolence then it should be me. We would extend the contract. Meet me in my office later for the details of the contract."
"Yes Alpha." Father bowed slightly.
He took my hand, this time more gently, and led me to the door. "Oh the Augar project has been handed to your company. Do well to take care of that." Darius added before leading me out of the house.
I didn't need to look to know my Father's expression.
He must be overjoyed out of his wits.
The Augar project is one of the biggest in Oakville. A multi billion dollars project.
I couldn't just imagine how happy he must be at the moment.
Then I stole a glance at Darius, my heart drumming in my head. I wondered why he had given the project to my Father all of a sudden.
Could it be because of the baby?
I was really scared of my life and wondered what would happen from here on.
Just as we were about to step out, I heard mother's shrill voice call out.
"Adrian. He came by. He's alive."
At that moment, my heart stopped in fright.
- Writer
