His unexpected mate

Chapter two

Paul’s gaze dawdled on Ryder Steel, his mind reeling in shock. This man, with his chiseled features was the father? His initial skepticism began to fade as he took in Ryder’s exquisite appearance.

Ryder’s tailored suit accentuated his broad shoulders and lean physique, exuding confidence and power. His dark hair was perfectly styled and his sharp jawline seemed carved from granite.

“who are you?” Selena’s father asked.

Confidently Ryder answered. “Ryder Steel. I’m the father.”

“you’re…you’re the one?” Paul asked to reconfirm.

“yes, Mr. Chuck. I assure you; I’ll take full responsibility for Selena and our child.” Ryder nodded, his right palm on his chest as if taking a vow.

Paul’s eyes housed a brief hesitation. “How can I trust you? I don’t even know you.”

Ryder answered calmly with a smile, surprised as to why his status wasn’t recognized by a lot of people. “you don’t have to, Mr. Chuck. But I promise you, I’ll provide for Selena and our child. They’ll want nothing as you can see.” He said, his pride taking over.

“I…I don’t know what to say.” Paul replied as he looked at Selena’s tear stained face, her eyes flashing in protest.

“Mr. Chuck, I understand this as a shock, but I assure you I’ll do what’s best for your daughter, we’ll keep in touch, and can have a wedding when she is delivered of the child.”

Paul carefully looked at Ryder’s confident demeanor; it didn’t seem necessary to confirm from Selena. “you seem…capable.”

Smiling slightly to flash his set of orderly white teeth, Ryder replied. “I am Mr. Chuck. With your permission, I’d like to take Selena home now.”

“yes…yes of course. Take care of her, and you can come pick up her stuff from the house” selena’s father readily agreed.

“there will be no need for old belongings. Thank you, Mr. Chuck, your daughter is in safe hands.”

Without uttering a word, Selena followed Ryder, not saying goodbye to her father nor the doctor who had stood fixated like a gargoyle, her quiet agreement a testament to her resignation. Dr. Dave watched them leave with a heavy sigh, weighted with guilt.

As they stepped out of the hospital, Ryder quietly led her to a sleek, black customized Bentley.

“Get in.” he instructed, opening the passage door.

The interior was opulent, cream-colored leather and polished wood trim. Selena’s eyes widened as she settled into the seat.

A black SUV followed them; Ryder glanced in the rearview mirror. “brothers,” he said with a boyish grin.

The occupants, rugged and imposing, didn’t resemble bodyguards. They exchanged nods with Ryder before falling back.

As they arrived Ryder’s estate, Selena’s jaw dropped. The grand, modern mansion sprawled across acres of manicured green lawns.

“welcome to my home.” Ryder said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

The maids standing at the front door, were dressed in crisp, long-sleeved, high collared white blouse with subtle lace trim paired with dark grey skirts with a steel family crest embroidered, discreet but Selena had a quick and sharp eye. Their feet covered in black stockings and black low-heeled shoes, clearly showing Ryder’s attention to detail and understated sophistication. They greeted Selena with cold indifference, their visage stiff and formal.

“Take her to her room,” Ryder instructed, his tone firm.

As Selena walked behind a maid, she turned to see Ryder whispering to the two men. They bowed slightly; fists clenched in a subtle gesture of respect. Entering the mansion, the opulent interior enveloped her causing her uneasiness to grow; it wasn’t just a home but a fortress.

“your room is upstairs,” Ryder’s voice rang behind her. “Rest. We’ll talk later.”

Selena quickly turned yet again, but this time to meet Ryder’s eyes, searching for answers. But his expression remained guarded, leaving her with more questions than answers.

As she stepped into her assigned room, the maid followed, surveying her with a critical eye before leaving.

“your dinner will be served shortly,” the maid announced, her voice detached.

The door closed softly behind her, and Selena was alone. Her eyes amplified as she took the grandeur of her new surroundings. The room was a stark contrast to her small corner at her father’s cottage. Plush carpets, soft golden lightening and elegant furnishing created a haven of comfort but her heart wasn’t settled.

A sprawling four poster bed festooned with delicate curtains, summoned her drained frame. Selena sighed, feeling the weight of the day’s event bearing down on her. She collapsed onto the bed, sinking into its softness.

Shutting her eyes, she began to ponder, replaying the shocking revelations in her mind. Ryder’s sudden appearance, the hospital and her father’s reluctant agreement all swirling in a dizzying enigma.

Time lost meaning as she laid there, unmoving, drowning in her sea of thoughts. An hour, maybe two passed before a gentle knock on the door broke the pin drop silence.

“dinner is ready, miss,” a husky voice called from outside. But Selena didn’t bulge; her appetite had vanished replaced by a consuming sense of uncertainty.

The knock was repeated, slightly louder. “Miss, shall I leave the tray outside?” the voice asked.

Still Selena didn’t respond. The maid’s footsteps retreated, leaving Selena to her solitude.

As the stillness enveloped her once more, her thoughts drifted back to Ryder, the enigmatic stranger who now held her life in his hands.

Soon the door opened and Ryder entered without knocking, carrying a tray laden with a steaming dish. The aroma wafting from the food stirred Selena’s appetite. She sat, up her stomach growling with hunger.

As she began to eat, Ryder stood beside the bed watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

She paused mid-bite, meeting his gaze.

“The maids are finished for today. Just me and you now. So, tell me, why didn’t you come down for dinner?” Ryder asked, his tone fortified with amusement. “And more importantly, why haven’t you cleaned up?”

Selena face revealed discomfort. “I…I didn’t have any clothes. No family?” she questioned alongside.

Ryder’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “None as you see” he then strode to the closet and swung open the door revealing a row of dresses.

“Oh!” she gasped.

“consider it a welcome gift,” Ryder said hinting at something more, nodding towards the bathroom. Taking that as a cue she quickly walked to bathroom. Under the warm shower, she tried to clear her head.

When she emerged. Ryder was still there, his gaze tracing her towel-clad figure. She ran back hastily to the bathroom. “could you… please leave” she said loudly, trying to sound firm.

Ryder chuckled, “your mouth was shut tight at the hospital, but now you’re finding your voice. I like that.” With a wink, he exited the room leaving her to change.

Few moments later, Ryder returned, when she was dressed in a sleepwear that surprisingly fit perfectly. He gazed at her without a blink.

Her uneasiness grew, “why did you bring me here?”

Ryder’s expression shifted, pride and possessiveness imprinted on his face. “you’re mine, Selena. My child’s mother. Remember?”

Selena’s eyes flashed. “I am not pregnant, and even if it were true, certainly not for a stranger.”

Ryder’s jaw clenched. “At least the test revealed so, you’re lucky I was there to save the day, your father clearly was ready to disown you.”

Pissed, Selena articulated “Do not…. do not use my vulnerability to dictate my life. I’m only here until I prove the results are false. And God help me I keep up with your selfish, commanding, egocentric…”

“Enough!” Ryder’s voice boomed. His eyes blazing.

Her words were caught off by the ferocity in his tone. Tears swelled in her eyes, but she refused to back down.

“oh! Prince charming, you save me. Thank you…. how dare you?” she spat, her voice trembling along with the quick transition. “you think you can just waltz into my life and turn everything upside down and expect me to play docile?”

His face darkened and just as he was about to unleash a response, a deafening crash echoed from downstairs, followed by a shattering of glass.

Ryder’s head jerked towards the door, his expression a mixture of alarm and fury. “stay here.” But Selena was already following.

As they reached the top of the stairs, the scene unfolding below froze her blood.