[Sarah]
Theodore Pierce’s car glided past me in the gathering Manhattan dusk. I wiped away a stray tear before it could fall, straightening my shoulders as I walked toward our penthouse. The first drops of rain began to fall, gentle as whispers against my skin.
I stood in the lobby for nearly an hour, watching rain trace patterns on the floor–to- ceiling windows. The twins fluttered, too early for true movement but I felt them all the same. My hand wanted to rest protectively over my stomach, but I forced it to remain at my side.
When exhaustion finally drove me to my suite, the room spun slightly as I changed. I
wrapped myself in a blanket and fell into an uneasy sleep.
Morning brought temporary relief. I showered quickly, choosing a loose–fitting cream sweater and tailored slacks. In the breakfast room, Mrs. Thompson watched with poorly
concealed concern as I picked at my toast.
“You should eat more, Miss Sarah,” she said quietly, refilling my ginger tea. “Especially
with your schedule today.”
I forced myself to take another bite. “I have an MIT event this afternoon. I won’t be home
for dinner.”
Her eyes held knowing sympathy. “Shall I have the car brought around?”
“I can take a taxi-”
“Mr. Pierce insists,” she said firmly. “James will drive you.”
The ride to campus felt longer than usual. James kept glancing at me in the rearview mirror, his usually stoic expression tinged with something like concern.
Liv was waiting outside the computer science building, her eyes widening at the sight of the car. “Whoa, since when do you travel with a private driver?”
“Just a family friend helping out,” I said quickly, hoping she wouldn’t press further. “How’s the new project going?”
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We found a quiet corner in the student center. Liv spread out her startup documents, her enthusiasm infectious. “The natural language processing algorithm is nearly perfect,” she gushed. “With your medical tech background, we could revolutionize healthcare
communication…”
“Liv.” I touched her hand gently. “I can’t.”
Her smile faltered. “What do you mean you can’t? This is our dream! Remember all those
late nights planning this?”
“Things are complicated right now with my father’s company.” I studied the papers, filled
with brilliant ideas I could no longer pursue. “I need to focus on Sullivan MedTech.”
“Since when did you become so… corporate?” Liv frowned. “And what’s with the fancy car
and clothes? You’ve been different lately. Distant.”
“Just busy.” I forced a smile. “Everything’s fine.”
“Is it?” She leaned forward. “You barely come to study groups anymore. You’re always rushing off to mysterious meetings. And now you won’t even tell me what’s really going
on.”
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed. James’s message was brief but clear: “Mr. Pierce requests your immediate return.”
My stomach clenched. “I have to go. Rain check on coffee?”
“Sarah. Liv caught my arm. “You know you can talk to me, right? About anything?”
Not about this, I thought, touching my still–flat stomach. Not about any of it.
“Of course,” I said instead. “I’ll call you later.”
The drive back was silent save for the soft purr of the engine. James cleared his throat as we approached the penthouse. “Mr. Pierce seemed… displeased earlier.”
“Did he say why?”
“No, ma’am. But perhaps… prepare yourself.”
I spent the elevator ride mentally reviewing my actions. The pregnancy remained hidden,
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Chapter 17: The Footage?
the Sullivan MedTech crisis contained. What else could have triggered his anger?
The penthouse doors opened to silence. Theodore sat alone in the living room, the setting sun casting long shadows across his wheelchair. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, as if he’d been running his fingers through it in agitation. The muscles in his jaw worked as he stared out the window, tension radiating from his broad shoulders.
“Sarah.” My name came out clipped, controlled. “We need to discuss your activities
before.”
“What activities would those be?” I asked quietly, fighting the urge to protect my
stomach.
Theodore’s eyes met mine, dark and unreadable. A muscle twitched in his cheek – the only sign of the fury I could sense building beneath his surface.
“Sit down.” He gestured to the chair across from him. When I hesitated, his expression
hardened further. “Now.”
lowered myself into the chair, watching as his hands gripped the wheelchair’s armrests
with barely contained rage. Outside, rain pelted against the windows, punctuating the heavy silence between us.
“Do you know what I discovered today?” His voice was dangerously soft.
“I don’t-”
“Don’t.” The single word cracked like a whip. “Don’t pretend ignorance. Not about this.”
My mind raced through possibilities. Had Victoria revealed my pregnancy? Had someone leaked Sullivan MedTech’s desperate financial situation?
Theodore wheeled closer, close enough that I could see the fury burning in his eyes.
“I thought I knew what kind of person you were. Naive, perhaps. Ambitious, certainly. But
this…”
“Theodore-”
“I’m not finished.” His knuckles whitened on the armrests. “Tell me, Sarah. What exactly
were you doing in my room while I was unconscious?”
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My blood ran cold. What is he talking about?
“I suggest,” he continued, each word precise and cutting, “that you think very carefully about your next words.”
The twins fluttered again, as if sensing my distress. I forced myself to meet his gaze, even as my heart thundered in my chest. Whatever he’d seen, whatever he thought he knew, I had my own secrets to protect now.
“What exactly are you accusing me of?” I kept my voice steady.
Theodore’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
He reached for his tablet. “Would you like me to show you the footage?”
Rain lashed against the windows, matching the storm about to break between us. I straightened in my chair, preparing for whatever came next. I said in shock.
“The footage?”
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She’s trying to get her education, run a failing company stay ahead of her many lies while living with a megolomaniac, easy peasy. Theodore is always in a mood and one is always prep…
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Did the ass think she took advantage of his vulnerable body?09
