[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322A01459-504":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},504,11,"Chapter 11: The Pregnancy Ultimatum","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The winter night was biting, the air sharp enough to cut skin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The freezing rain had just stopped, leaving the world slick and miserable. I was wrapped in a heavy puffer jacket, yet the chill still seeped into my bones.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Vienna Cruz stood on the porch, shivering in nothing but a thin knit sweater, her knees tucked against her chest. Desmond Knight pulled off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She looked up, tears clinging to her eyelashes. \"I was wrong today. I shouldn’t have laid a hand on her.\" Her voice trembled, more tears spilling over. \"Desmond, I know I messed up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond’s voice softened, the cold edge of his tone blunted. \"Let's go inside to talk.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Vienna grabbed his sleeve, pressing a medical report into his hand. \"I’m pregnant.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I stepped around them, my movements brisk. \"Excuse me. I need to get inside.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This wasn’t my stage, and I had no intention of playing a part in this scene.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Behind me, Vienna’s wailing persisted. \"What are we going to do? You can't just ignore the baby. Your parents have to know the truth.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before I could hear Desmond’s response, my phone buzzed with an incoming FaceTime request from Fletcher Reed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When I answered, it wasn’t just Fletcher on the screen. He was with the handsome guy I’d seen in the photos earlier. We exchanged a few awkward pleasantries, the air thick with the realization of what was being arranged for me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Fletcher walked a few paces away from the camera. \"Serenity, look, I’m practically like a big brother to you. I’m not trying to meddle, but you know the dynamic between Desmond and Vienna. You need to start looking out for yourself.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I offered a polite, distant smile. \"I know, Fletcher. Don't worry.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’ve already made up my mind,\" I added, my voice steady. \"I’m not interested in being the third wheel. To me, Desmond is just my brother.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I hung up, and found Desmond standing in the doorway. He must have entered while I was distracted. His face was a mask of thunderous annoyance—perhaps Vienna’s news was more of a headache than he’d anticipated.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I smiled at him. \"Desmond, let's head to your parents' place tomorrow. We should settle everything with them once and for all.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His eyes darkened, unreadable and heavy. He stared at me for a long time before he gave a curt nod. \"Fine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next day, I waited for him at the coffee shop downstairs from his office.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But when he arrived, he wasn’t alone. Desmond and Vienna had brought another man with them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Serenity, meet my cousin, Kylian Gomez,\" Vienna said, her smile wide and artificial as she shoved Kylian into the seat beside me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I shifted away, but she pushed him right back into my personal space.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The suffocating discomfort forced me to look at Desmond, hoping for some semblance of support. He didn’t even glance my way.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’ve looked into Kylian’s background, his character, and his education,\" Desmond said, his tone clinical. \"He’s a good match for you. The guy Fletcher introduced? He’s nothing but a pretty face.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He didn't look at me, his gaze fixed somewhere past my shoulder. \"Only when we both find people we actually like will my parents stop obsessing over this marriage.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I finally understood the game he was playing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I forced a smile, stretching my hand out toward Kylian. \"Nice to meet you, Kylian. I’m Serenity Knight. Should we exchange contact info?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The rest of the lunch felt like an eternity. As soon as the bill was paid, Vienna shot a sharp look at Desmond and pulled Kylian away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My smile vanished the second they were out of earshot. I grabbed my bag and stood up. \"Let's go. Your parents' house. Now.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272916205]