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Chapter 9 The Fake Report
Mia’s Pov
My world tilted on its axis as I stared at the medical report in my trembling hands. This couldn’t be right. The dates, the details – everything was wrong. Three months? That was impossible. I’d only discovered my pregnancy two weeks ago. The black text seemed to swim before my eyes, each word a fresh blow to my racing heart. T
The study felt smaller somehow, the walls closing in as Kyle’s presence loomed larger than life. The lamp on his desk cast shadows across his face, making his expression even more terrifying. I could hear my own shallow breathing in the thick
silence.
“Kyle,” I whispered, my voice barely audible in the thick tension of his study. “This isn’t… this can’t be…”
“Can’t be what?” His voice cut through the air like steel, each word precise and deadly. “Can’t be true? Can’t be discovered?” He stood behind his desk, shoulders rigid, knuckles white where they gripped the polished wood. The veins in his hands stood out, betraying his barely contained rage. “Tell me, Mia, how long did you think you could hide this?”
I took an instinctive step back, my spine hitting the bookshelf behind me. “I–I wasn’t hiding anything,” I stammered, fighting to keep my voice steady. My fingers clutched the edge of my sweater, twisting the fabric. “But this report, it’s wrong. I’m only two months pregnant, I can prove it-”
“Prove it?” Kyle’s laugh was harsh, devoid of warmth, echoing off the study walls. His eyes, usually storm–grey, had darkened to nearly black. “The way you proved your loyalty? Your faithfulness?” 2
“Please,” I begged, one hand instinctively moving to protect my stomach. The babies – our babies – seemed to sense my distress. A wave of nausea rolled through me. “Just let me explain-“‘
“Explain what?” He stalked around the desk, each step measured, predatory. The carpet muffled his footsteps, but I could feel the vibration of his movement in my bones. “Explain how you’ve been spending your days at his studio?” His lip curled in disgust. “How convenient that your new ‘job‘ coincided with this pregnancy?”
“No! Kyle, these are your babies-” My voice cracked on the word ‘your‘, desperation clawing at my throat.
“MY babies?” The words exploded from him, making me flinch. The paperweight slammed onto his desk, the sound like a gunshot in the quiet room. “I was in Dubai three months ago. The entire month. Or have you conveniently forgotten that too?” Tears burned in my eyes as memories of those lonely nights flooded back. “I haven’t forgotten anything! I’ve only ever been with you, Kyle. Only you.” 1
“This report is fake!” I insisted, my voice shaking. I pushed the offending paper away. “I can prove it. My real report is in my drawer – it shows I’m only two months pregnant. I’ll go get it right now-”
Kyle’s hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my chin, forcing me to meet his stormy gaze. His touch burned against my skin. His laugh was cold, lethal. “Your drawer?” His other hand thrust another paper in front of my face, so close the edges brushed my nose. “That is where I found this exactly. In your drawer, Mia.”
The world seemed to tilt beneath my feet. “No… that’s impossible. My report showed two months…” My voice sounded distant, foreign to my own ears. “Kyle, please, we can go to John right now. He can verify-”
“John?” Kyle’s laugh was bitter, his fingers tightening fractionally on my chin. “Our personal physician who you specifically avoided? I wonder why.” His thumb traced my jawline, the gesture almost gentle, completely at odds with the fury in his eyes. “Because I needed time!” The words burst from me, hot tears spilling down my cheeks. “Time to think, to process. I didn’t want to involve anyone until I was sure-”
“Sure of what?” His voice dropped dangerously low, his breath fanning across my face. The familiar scent of his cologne, usually so comforting, now made me dizzy. “Sure you could pass off another man’s children as mine?”
“They’re yours!” I cried, tears flowing freely now. My hands found his chest, clutching at his shirt. “I swear, they’re yours!” Something flickered in his eyes – doubt? Pain? – but it was gone before I could be sure. His hand dropped from my chin as if
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Chapter 9 The Fake Report
burned, He stepped back, creating a chasm between us that felt impossible to cross.
“You have no choice.” he said, his voice ice–cold. The words fell like stones in the silence.
“Kyle, no-” I reached for him, but he was already turning away.
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He strode toward the door, each step echoing with finality. The slam reverberated through the house like a gunshot, leaving me alone in his study, my world crumbling around me. The sound seemed to go on forever, ringing in my ears along with his final
words.
My legs gave out, and I slid to the floor, the plush carpet doing little to cushion my fall. The enormity of what had just happened crashed over me in waves. Kyle thought I’d betrayed him. Kyle thought these precious lives growing inside me weren’t his.
I forced myself to stand, stumbling to my room like a wounded animal. My hands shook as I yanked open the drawer where I’d placed my original report. Empty. The familiar blue folder was gone, replaced by… nothing. This couldn’t be happening. 1
My phone slipped from my trembling fingers, screen shattering on impact – a perfect mirror for my breaking heart. The sound startled me, making me jump. Tiny pieces of glass scattered across the hardwood floor, catching the light like tears.
Making my way back to the living room, each step an effort, I discovered another shock – the door was locked. The handle refused to turn under my desperate grip. Kyle had locked me in. Trapped like a prisoner in my own home.
Pain shot through my abdomen, sharp and warning. I pressed my hand against the wall, trying to steady myself. Breathe, I had to breathe. The babies needed me to stay calm.
I slid down the wall, the cool surface grounding me somewhat. “It’s okay,” I whispered to my babies, my hands cradling my still -flat stomach. “Mommy won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” My voice cracked on the last word.
Kyle’s threat rang in my ears, a constant, terrifying loop. He thought I’d betrayed him. Thought these precious lives growing inside me belonged to someone else. He would try to force me to abort them – my babies, our babies.
I closed my eyes, fighting back another wave of nausea.
