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"You were a stranger in my house," he says. "And I had trust issues because of what happened with the last nanny."

"Oh, you definitely have issues," I say, rolling my eyes.

His actions have gotten on my last nerve now. And like always, he never gives me a proper explanation for anything.

He stands abruptly and walks toward the window.

Dawn has kissed the sky, making it shift from velvet black to deep purple and red.

"I'll pay for all of the child's needs," he says. "Everything from diapers to college. You'll have a house and a car to your name, along with a generous monthly allowance. My only request is that I want to be a part of the child's life. We can discuss custody after the birth."

Another contract.

His words are so cold, like this baby is the result of a loveless one-night stand. It was silly of me to think we had something special. It was all in my head the whole time.

Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them away.

"How generous of you," I say. "Are you sure you don't want to have a paternity test done?"

Without another word, he leaves the room.

When he's out of sight, I let myself cry.

I don't know how I ended up here.

I fell for the very kind of man I told myself I would avoid. I know firsthand how wealth and power can go to a person's head. It changes the way they view the world. And if they lack integrity, they start seeing people as a commodity. As a means to an end.

Klaus's words were insulting because he couldn't be more far off.

I dreamed of this moment. Of telling him that we were going to have a baby. But I never imagined it would go like this.

I place my hands over my womb.

"It's going to be you and me against the world, little one," I say. "I'll be everything you need and more."

46

KLAUS

“Dude, you need to cleanse your aura,” Alaric says, glancing over at me from the driver’s seat. “I can feel your negativity from all the way here, and it’saffecting my aura too.”

“Leave me alone, man,” I say,keeping my eyes on the car ahead of ours. Emma was discharged from the hospital an hour ago, and we’re all heading to Alaric’s house now.

“She’s not going to vanish into thin air,” Alaric says. “You can relax.”

“It’s not that,” I say. “For once, I’m actually not worried about her safety.”

Emma’s stalker was killed in the fire that he started. He’ll never be a problem ever again.

But it feels like my life is an endless cycle of challenges. Just when one ends, another one begins. She was the only one who ever brought me any semblance of peace, but all of that is ruined now.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Alaric says.

I look over at him. I know he’ll be thrilled to hear the news.

“Emma is pregnant with my child,” I say.

“Wait, are you serious?” Alaric’s eyes widen like a cartoon creature. “That’sthe best news ever.”