Pregnant for my husband's brother

Chapter2

A Secret Between Us

Amelia's heart raced, beating against her ribs while staring down at the small, white test in her hand. It was a result clear and undeniable. A well of emotions roared up inside her, a mix of fear, shock, and deep, deep inside, a flicker of joy. She was pregnant. But this wasn't Damian's child. It was Leo's.

And her mind reeled as she tried to put into focus the reality of it. Her marriage to Damian had been cruelly arranged, a contract that continued to make her feel worthless and trapped. But with Leo, she'd felt free, alive. Their love had bloomed unexpectedly-a quiet rebellion in the tautly demanding world that left her so empty. Leo had been her refuge, her beacon in the darkness, and now they were bound together by something neither had planned.

Amelia hugged herself, bracing against the chill in the room, as she heard the soft knock at her door. She didn't have to turn to know who it was. There was just something about Leo-he knew when she needed him most.

"Amelia?" His voice was soft, laced with concern.

She turned, meeting his gaze, and for a moment, she felt everything was going to be okay. But when she held up the test, the look in his eyes changed from warmth to worry as he stepped forward, reaching for her hand.

"We'll figure this out," he whispered, his thumb gently brushing over her fingers. "You're not alone in this, Amelia. Whatever happens, I'm here."

Amelia nodded, but her eyes hadn't lost their fear. "Leo… Damian will never believe it is his child. He barely recognizes me as his wife, and we… well, we've barely been together. If he finds out it's yours…”

Somberness entered Leo's face, and the weight of the situation settled into his bones. He knew well enough, just as she did, what kind of man Damian was: cold, calculated, unyielding. To find out about the affair, about the baby, he would never let this go. He would view it as a betrayal to his pride, but more still to his control over Amelia. Damian wouldn't stop until he'd hurt them both.

“We don't have a choice," Amelia whispered, shaking. "I have to tell him it's his."

Leo clutched her hand a little firmer, his face twisted in a maelstrom of emotions. "Are you sure? We could-"

"What else can we do?" she cut him off, anguish in her eyes. "He holds all the cards. I just can't risk him finding out, Leo. Not now. He will never let us be together. And I just can't lose you… or this baby.”

The silence descended between them as they both were lost in the magnitude of what they were about to do. They knew it just wasn't going to be easy, as Damian was way too sharp and observant not to suspect. And yet, it was their only option. For the sake of their child, for the sliver of hope they held onto for a future together, this had to work.

The following morning, Amelia found Damian in his study flipping through a ream of financial reports. He barely looked up when she entered the room, no more than to nod slightly.

"Damian," she said, her voice calm, though her heart was racing wildly in her chest. "I have something important to tell you."

And then he looked up at her, his skeptical gaze narrowing into near-slits. "What is it?”

She took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

For a long moment, Damian was silent; his eyes hard and calculating as he stared at her face. A flicker of surprise crossed his features, but in almost the same instant, it disappeared. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

"Oh?" he said with glacial slowness, his voice dangerous and low. "And I'm supposed to believe this is my child?"

Amelia held his gaze, refusing to let him see the fear lurking beneath her calm veneer. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind, prepared for the doubt and accusations she knew he would throw her way. Yet, she also knew she had to hold firm.

"It is your child, Damian," she replied without the slightest hesitation. "I may not have chosen this marriage, but I have honored my vows. You are the father."

He did not stop staring at her, the narrowing of his eyes is his way of looking for something to believe her words. Amelia shivered under his pointed regard, yet didn't buckle. She had to make him believe her.

"Funny," he said with a cold smile, "considering we have barely been… close. But, I suppose it is biologically possible." He leaned forward as his expression crossed between incredulous and anger. "Don't think for one moment that I don't know you, Amelia. You're hiding something. I may not know what it is yet, but believe me, I will find out."

Amelia fisted her hands at her sides. The urge to snap something was great. "Believe what you will," she said, in an even tone. "But this is your child, Damian. Whether or not you trust me is beside the point; this is happening.”

Damian watched her another long moment before finally leaning back, his expression unreadable. "Fine," he said coolly. "We'll play it your way, for now. But should I find out you have lied to me, Amelia…" His voice trailed off, with the threat heavy in the air.

She forced her head to nod, biting back the retort that had risen to her throat. She knew Damian would never love or even care for her, but his suspicion was something she'd have to manage, carefully and cautiously.

Later that night, Amelia met Leo in the garden, finding comfort with him in the quiet shadows. He pulled her into his arms, holding her as though he could shield her from it all.

"How did it go?" he murmured into her hair, his warmth steadying her.

"Not great," she admitted, leaning against him. "He suspects something. He doesn't believe me, but he's letting it go—for now."

His jaw clamped shut, his eyes flashing with a protective intent. "He will never hurt you, Amelia. I won't allow it. We'll find a way to be together. Once the baby is born. Maybe we could find a way out of this. Away from him."

She looked up at him, a flame of hope beginning

to flicker in her eyes. "I want that too. More than anything.”