The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the hospital room, a reminder of fragility that weighed heavily on the air./ Nadine sat on the bed, her palms pressed protectively against the curve of her stomach, her face pale but composed. The doctor, a middle–aged woman with tired but steady eyes, flipped through the chart before finally looking at them./
“You need to be careful, Ms. Nadine,” the doctor said firmly. “Your pregnancy is highly sensitive. Emotional stress, crying, even arguments–they could trigger complications. You cannot afford unnecessary pressure. If you want this child to be born healthy, you must avoid anything that could upset you.“”
The words struck Leandro harder than he expected. His throat tightened as he glanced at Nadine, her expression wavering between relief and quiet fear. And then it hit him–this was his child too.
A piece of him growing inside her, fragile, dependent, vulnerable. Memories of Emerald’s bloodied body, Gwen’s cries, and the weight of loss clawed back into his chest. He couldn’t lose another life. He couldn’t bury another child.”
Nadine’s eyes lifted to his, searching, almost pleading. For the first time in weeks, Leandro’s hardened exterior cracked. He reached for her hand–awkward at first, but steady when her fingers curled against his.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low, almost broken. “For all the times I pushed you away. For all the weight you’ve carried alone. can’t undo what I’ve done, Nadine, but I swear…” His jaw clenched as he forced the words out. “I won’t let anything happen to this child. I won’t let you suffer.”
Her lips trembled, and tears pooled in her eyes, but she blinked them back quickly, remembering the doctor’s warning. “Do you mean it?” she whispered. “You’ll stay? You’ll take care of us?“”
He nodded, the guilt gnawing at his chest. “Yes. From now on… I’ll make an effort. I’ll be here.“}
For the first time in a long while, Nadine’s face lit up–not with smugness, not with manipulation, but genuine relief. She leaned into him, her body softening as she whispered, “Thank you, Leandro. That’s all I ever wanted.“”
From that day forward, he tried.
Leandro became present. At every checkup, he sat beside her, listening to the doctor, asking questions, even holding Nadine’s hand during ultrasounds.
When the gender reveal came, he was the one to slice through the cake, his chest tightening when the blue frosting spilled out. A son. Another chance. His heart ached at the memory of Gwen, but he forced himself to smile when Nadine’s delighted laughter filled the room.
At the baby shower, he stood by her, silent but attentive, arranging decorations, carrying gifts, letting her bask in the attention she craved. When she grew tired, he guided her gently to a seat, even bringing her water himself. It was strange–playing the part of a doting partner–but deep down, part of him believed this effort might atone for the lives he had failed before. Nadine was radiant, glowing with triumph. She clung to him in public, never missing the chance to display their supposed closeness. For once, she had what she wanted–his presence, his protection, his attention.”
But rumors have a way of spreading faster than truth.
It started with whispers, then bold headlines. Newspapers carried glossy photos of them together, captions blaring with confidence: “Leandro Villareal to Wed Nadine Reid Soon.” “Wedding Bells Amid New Beginnings.” Business magazines speculated about mergers and family legacies, painting pictures of a union that would secure power and wealth for years to
come.”
Leandro froze the moment he saw the paper on his desk. His hands crumpled the edges, fury boiling in his veins. This was not his doing. He had never agreed to this.
That night, he stormed into Nadine’s room, the paper clenched in his fist. She looked up from her vanity, calmly brushing her hair, and smiled faintly–as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“What is the meaning of this?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. He threw the paper onto the table, the bold headline glaring back at them both.
Nadine’s smile didn’t falter. “Exactly what it says.”
His jaw tightened. “I never agreed to this. You know damn well I said we’d only co–parent.“}
She turned slowly, her gaze locking on his with a glint of steel beneath her sweetness. “And I told you before–I’m not settling for scraps, Leandro. I carried your child. I endured your distance, your coldness, your guilt over a dead woman. I won’t be discarded. Not again.”%
He stepped forward, voice rising. “So you forged this? Fed the press lies?“”
“If that’s what it takes,” she said, her tone dripping with venom. “Don’t test me. Because if you refuse, I’ll ruin you. I’ll tell the world everything–that you drove Emerald to her death, that you let your daughter die, that you abandoned me. And I’ll make sure this child grows up hating you.“”
Leandro’s breath caught, his hands curling into fists. “You wouldn’t.“”
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12.15 PM
Her smile widened, cruel and triumphant. “I would. I’ll go as far as I need to. Because I refuse to lose to a ghost, Leandro. I refuse to lose to Emerald. She’s gone, and I’m here. So you’ll marry me, or you’ll lose everything–your reputation, your company, even your chance to know this child.”
For a long, tense moment, silence pressed between them. Leandro’s chest rose and fell, his fury clashing with guilt, his pride battling fear.2
He could almost hear Emerald’s laughter in the back of his mind, see Gwen’s smile–but both were ghosts, untouchable, unreachable. What he had left was here.
Finally, he exhaled, his voice breaking in defeat. “You’re insane.” He shook his head slowly. “But fine. For the sake of this child… I’ll marry you.“Z
Nadine’s eyes softened with victory. She reached for his hand, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. “That’s all I wanted to hear.“%
Leandro didn’t return the smile. His gaze was distant, locked on the ghosts only he could see.
