The days after Natalia's dramatic entrance at the mansion were a storm of tension and uncertainty. Her threats echoed in the halls and in my mind, making the air feel heavier with each passing day. Kieran, once distant but at least present, seemed to vanish further into himself. He was a shadow flitting through the house, barely speaking to me, his eyes always somewhere far away.
I tried to focus on preparing for the baby, organizing the nursery, attending doctor's appointments, letting Margaret and Abigail fuss over me, but nothing could shake the feeling that I was living on borrowed time. Natalia's words haunted me: You'll regret ever stepping foot in this house. I wondered if she was right.
One crisp, clear morning, the mansion's gardens called to me. The autumn air was sharp and fragrant, and I needed to clear my head. As I wandered the winding paths, lost in thought, I spotted Kieran on a stone bench beneath a sprawling oak. He was hunched over his phone, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, I hesitated. My heart pounded with hope and dread. Maybe this was my chance to finally break through the wall he'd built between us.
I called out, "Kieran." He jerked upright, quickly shoving his phone into his pocket.
"Lila," he said stiffly. "Didn't expect to see you out here."
I eased myself down beside him, feeling the strain in my back from the weight of my growing belly. "I needed some air. And honestly, I was hoping we could talk."
He looked away, jaw tight. "About what?"
"About us. About the baby. And about Natalia." My voice trembled. "I feel like I'm drowning here, Kieran. I need to understand what's really going on."
He let out a long, weary sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Lila, you already know. It's… complicated."
"Then uncomplicate it for me," I pleaded. "Please. I'm carrying your child. Don't I deserve the truth?"
For a split second, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes, regret, maybe, or longing. But then his face hardened. "You don't need to worry about Natalia and me. I told you I'd provide for the baby. What more do you want?"
His words hit me like a slap. "What more do I want?" I echoed, my voice rising. "Kieran, I want a father for this child. Not just someone who sends a check every month. I want someone who's actually here."
He shot to his feet, frustration etched across his face. "Lila, I never wanted this. I never wanted kids. You can't expect me to change who I am because of one mistake."
I recoiled, wounded. "A mistake? Is that all this baby is to you?"
He seemed to realize he'd gone too far. "I didn't mean… I'm trying, Lila. But I'm not an easy person."
"And you think this is easy for me?" I fired back, tears stinging my eyes. "My whole life has been turned upside down. Whether you help or not, I'll be raising this child. All I'm asking is that you try to be a real father."
Kieran's face closed off. "I can't give you what you want. I'm sorry." He turned and walked away, leaving me alone on the bench, clutching my belly as a storm of emotions crashed over me.
I sat there for a long time, trying to steady my breathing, trying to convince myself I could do this on my own if I had to. But the truth was, I was scared, scared of being alone, scared of failing my child, scared that Natalia's poison might seep into everything I was trying to build.
When I finally made my way back inside, I was met with a sight that made my blood run cold.
Natalia was gliding down the grand staircase, wrapped in a scarlet dress that matched her hair and her mood. She looked every inch the queen of the castle, her eyes glittering with malice.
"Well, if it isn't the little homewrecker herself," she purred, stopping in front of me.
I straightened my shoulders, refusing to let her see how shaken I was. "Natalia, I'm not in the mood. Please, just leave me alone."
She laughed, a sound as sharp as broken glass. "Oh, sweetheart. You don't get to make demands here. You're just a guest-and not a welcome one."
"That's not true," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Margaret and Abigail want me here. And whether you like it or not, this baby is a Vaughn."
Natalia's eyes narrowed dangerously. "A baby doesn't make you family. Do you really think you can erase years of history with one little accident? Kieran and I have plans-plans you'll never be part of."
I felt my resolve waver, but I forced myself to stand tall. "If you and Kieran are so solid, why isn't he with you now? Why did he ask you to leave last time?"
For a split second, doubt flickered across Natalia's face. But she quickly recovered, her smile turning cruel. "You really are naive. Kieran doesn't want you or your brat. He'll send a check, maybe a birthday card, but that's all you'll ever get. Family? Home? That's me, not you."
Her words sliced through me, but I refused to let her see the pain. "You don't know me, or my child. And you clearly don't know Kieran as well as you think, or you wouldn't be so threatened."
Natalia's eyes blazed. "Threatened? By you?" She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "If I wanted to, I could ruin you. But it's more fun to watch you unravel. You're already cracking-I can see it in your eyes. How long before you break?"
I stepped back, instinctively shielding my belly. "You're wrong about me. And you're wrong about Kieran. This baby changes everything, whether you admit it or not."
Natalia's lips curled in a cold smile. "Keep telling yourself that, darling. Enjoy your little fantasy while it lasts. Because it won't last long."
She brushed past me, her perfume lingering in the air like a warning. I stood frozen, trying to catch my breath, trying to convince myself I was strong enough to withstand her games.
The baby kicked, as if sensing my distress. I rubbed my stomach and whispered, "We're going to be okay. I promise."
But even as I said it, doubt gnawed at me. For the first time since moving in, I wondered if I should leave, if I was strong enough to walk away from the security the Vaughn's offered, even if it meant facing the world alone.
Back in my room, I spotted the ultrasound photo on my nightstand. I traced the outline of my baby's profile, feeling a fierce surge of love and determination. "We don't need anyone else," I whispered. "As long as we have each other, we'll be fine."
A knock at the door startled me. I wiped my eyes and called, "Come in."
Abigail entered, her face etched with concern. "Lila, dear, how are you?" She glanced over her shoulder. "I saw Natalia leaving, looking far too pleased with herself."
I hesitated, but Abigail's kindness broke through my defenses. I told her everything, the argument with Kieran, Natalia's threats, my fears about the future.
Abigail listened intently, her expression growing more troubled with every word. When I finished, she squeezed my hands gently.
"Oh, my dear girl," she said softly. "You've been so brave. I'm sorry you've had to face this alone."
Her compassion nearly undid me. "I just don't know what to do anymore. Maybe I should just leave."
Abigail's grip tightened. "Absolutely not. This is your home now. You and your baby belong here, no matter what Natalia or anyone else says."
She hesitated, her eyes sparking with determination. "I think it's time I had a word with both Kieran and Natalia. This nonsense has gone on long enough."
Her words gave me hope, but doubt still lingered. "What if Kieran never comes around? What if he decides he doesn't want to be a father?"
Abigail cupped my face, her gaze fierce and loving. "Then we'll cross that bridge together. You have me, Margaret, and Sophia. You're not alone, Lila. We'll make sure you and your baby have all the love you need."
Her embrace soothed some of the ache inside me. Maybe she was right. Maybe I wasn't as alone as I felt. And maybe, with Abigail and Margaret on my side, I could find the strength to fight for my future.
That night, as I lay in bed, I made a silent vow: I wouldn't let Natalia, or anyone, drive me away. I would fight for my place in this family, for my child, and for the life we deserved. Whatever it took.
But as I drifted off to sleep, a new message flashed on my phone, its words chilling me to the bone:
You're running out of time, Lila. Some secrets are better left buried.
My heart hammered in my chest. Who was watching me? What secrets were still hidden in the shadows of the Vaughn mansion?
One thing was certain: the real battle was just beginning. And this time, I wasn't sure who would be standing with me when the truth finally came out.
As midnight crept across the mansion, a shadow slipped past my door. The floor creaked, and I held my breath. Was it Kieran? Natalia? Or someone else entirely?
I clutched my belly and whispered, "We'll make it through this." But as the darkness pressed in, I couldn't help but wonder: at what cost?