Chapter 4 Chapter 4- The Scandal

“Kristine Iglesias is pregnant with Zayne Nightwood’s child! 

Yes! She was in love with his rival, Edric Carton, but their breakup led to a twisted one night stand where she is now pregnant with Mr. Nightwood’s baby.

Was it revenge... or the beginning of something far more dangerous?

We are waiting to hear further from Miss Kristine and Mr. Nightwood. 

Are they going to keep the child? Stay tuned with us to find more!” 

The headline glared at me from every digital billboard in the city. Two weeks. That's all it took for my lie to become the city's biggest scandal.

We were the new hot topic, a vicious headline plastered across every digital and print tabloid.

I sat in Zayne’s high-rise office, legs crossed elegantly, watching the news cycle churn.

SMASH. 

The remote shattered against the massive LED screen on the wall. He turned, his blue eyes burning with an intense fury.

“What the hell is this, Kristine?” 

“Who told you not to wear a condom?” 

“You are telling me,” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous hiss, “That after one night, you are carrying my child?”

“Biology is a funny thing,” I smiled coldly.

He glared for a long time before regaining his composure and pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Look at the reports yourself. Check the date, two weeks after our sweet time,” 

The reports were a masterpiece. 

A hefty bribe to my doctor had shifted the gestation date from five weeks to two. 

On paper, this baby was a Nightwood. In reality, it was that motherfucker’s.

Depraved of me, I know.

But, to secure my baby’s future I had to lie. I would do it without remorse.

After confirming, he threw the papers away outrageously, “Shit!”

He dragged a hand through his dark hair before loosening his tie.

We both were staring at each other. He was attempting to decrypt my intention but failed to do so.

After a piercing silence, Zayne finally asked in a sigh.

“What do you want?” He finally asked.

“I want a father for my child,” I said, my voice steady, like it was the most obvious thing.

“And I want a husband who can help me burn Edric Carton to the ground. I want him to watch us together, grovel and lose everything, including his dignity,”

Zayne’s eyes narrowed, jaw clenching, “So, I am just a weapon to you against him? An asset?”

“... Maybe,” 

The second I trailed off, he snapped his fingers twice and pointed at his door dominantly.

“Out,”

“Huh?”

“Get the fuck out of my office, Kristine Iglesias. I am not a pawn in someone's revenge fantasy.” He declared, eyes sharply narrowed at me with disgust. 

I returned the same gesture, glaring back at him. 

“Then you should have thought about your actions before, asshole,” 

I stood up, smoothed my skirt, and walked out without a word because I knew he would call. 

Men like Zayne didn't let their ‘blood’ walk around unprotected. 

He would take the responsibility… right? 

By the next morning, I was already praying he would call.

I convinced myself he would.

Because if he didn't…

I had just destroyed my own life for nothing.

The next day,I walked toward my car, my mind already thinking how to contact him until a group of women–Zayne’s obsessed followers–surrounded my path. 

“You liar!!”

“Social climber!”

One of them even reached down, grabbed a stone, and hurled it at me.

I braced for the impact, my hands instinctively flying to cover my stomach.

But, the blow never came.

Zayne had already stepped between us without hesitation, shielding me with his body.

“Touch her again,” Zayne growled at the crowd.

“And I will make sure you never see the light of day.” 

A single warning was all it took for him to send them away. 

“Zayne…?” 

“Are you hurt?” He asked, hesitantly placing his hand over my stomach, gaze softening.

Forming my lips in a thin line, I nodded. “Yes,” 

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me back toward my apartment building, not giving me enough time to comprehend.

He shoved his way inside, slamming the door shut behind us.

He didn't give me space to breathe, to register, to speak.

He simply pushed me against the door, a large hand clasped my wrist before securing it beside my head.

His eyes never left mine. There was hunger there, but something else too. 

Something dangerous. 

Something that might haunt me for eternity.

But what? I had no idea.

“You want your revenge?” His voice was low but seductive.

“Yes. I do.”

“Fine.” He enunciated.

“I will give you a wedding that will make Edric choke on his own heart. But, I don’t do charity, Kristine.”

I blinked, “Come again?”

“I have my conditions,” 

I gulped, “What… conditions?” 

“Be mine. All mine.” 

Wrapping his hand around my throat perfectly, he brought me closer, blending the heat from his hot body into mine. 

“And you–” 

His eyes moved all over my body, giving my throat a squeeze, enough to steal my breaths. 

“–won't resist.” 

I tried to get back but he didn’t allow me and pressed me harder into him, forcing me to maintain the intense eye-contact.

“....Why?”

He smirked maliciously, “Offers should be made equal. And I want every. single. piece.”  

I began to have second thoughts. My pride screamed no. My gut already told me to retreat.

But, my hatred whispered yes.

My hand refused to move.

….Until I remembered Edric sliding that ring onto Amie's finger.

Inhaling sharply, I held his wrist to remove it from my throat. 

“Will you truly help me, Zayne?” 

“Yes. I will, Kristine.”

Taking a step back, holding his chin up in pride, he offered his hand to me, making the terms crystal-clear.

I get my revenge.

He gets me.

“Offer your heart, your body, your soul to me, Kristine, and I shall ensure you get anything you want.”

I realized then that I wasn't just making a deal with a billionaire. I was signing a contract with the devil. 

My fingers stopped inches away from his.

Once I touched him… There would be no pretending this was revenge anymore.

It would become my life.

I told myself it was to make Edric pay. For my baby. For our future.Therefore, I had my answer ready.

Slowly, I took his hand in mine as I kissed his knuckles.

“From this moment onwards, I am all yours, My Dear Husband.”

Somewhere deep inside… I knew this marriage wouldn't save me.

It would destroy us both.