** Could she be pregnant **

Dragons**

"Are you okay?" Jack asked, making me burrow deep into her eyes. Among the different dishes beside her, she chose to play with the spaghetti omelet instead. I had just noticed that she hadn't touched her food.

"Don't you like the food?" Jack asked again, making me glare at her in anger. A smile curled up on her lips as she hurriedly added,

"I'm not hungry, but I had to eat anyway."

I wanted to smash her head against the wall the moment she said that, but before I could react, Jack quickly added,

"It's nice, Araya. I know these dishes seem new and weird compared to what you usually eat, but if you come with me, I bet you won't regret your decision."

"Araya..." I saw her eyes light up the moment he called her by her name instead of the 'doll' she had grown accustomed to, and I rolled my eyes.

"Thank you, Jack, but I'm not hungry."

I detested the hostility in her voice when she said that but was even more annoyed when Jack opened his mouth to speak again. So, I interrupted him immediately.

"How about dessert? It's delicious and appetizing. I'm sure you'll love it," he said, gazing at her. She rolled her eyes, as if disgusted by my presence alone, and shifted her gaze back to Jack.

"I wish I could, but I don't feel like eating. I'd rather go back to my room," she said, then glanced at me before quickly looking away with a frown. Jack ran a hand through his hair empathetically.

"You can't... go... because-"

"And who says you can't go to your room, Araya?"

The moment the words left my mouth, they froze.

I felt a stir in my emotions when her hazel eyes, filled with disbelief, met mine. The feeling was familiar-mutual and real.

I could already imagine the tiny lines of shock forming on Jack's face, silently asking, *What is wrong with me?* And just like I predicted, he blurted it out.

"Boss... did you just call her Araya?"

I broke away from the intense stare, stood up, and awkwardly said,

"The maids will bring your dessert to your room."

Then, I walked away.

---

### **Outside on the terrace**

My eyes drifted downward to the spacious garden, where beautiful birds chirped happily among the vibrant flowers. I shifted my gaze to the heart-shaped pool, my mind wandering back to memory lane.

#### **Flashback**

"What happened to you, Erick? Why are you covered in bruises?" Mom asked as she leaned forward to kiss my wounds.

"Mum, am I really a nerdy ass?" I asked the moment she scooped me up from the floor and wiped my tears.

"Have your classmates been bullying you again?"

I couldn't help but smile as her hand gently caressed my face.

"You are strong, my dear. Don't let what they say get to your head," she said.

I swiftly ran my hands over my mother's tummy and smiled.

"They told me I'm a spoiled rich mama's boy and don't deserve to be called a man."

"And you believed them, Erick?" I watched as Mom pulled out the first-aid box with keen interest.

"You are the strongest child I have ever met, and I am the happiest mom in the world to have you," she muttered, dabbing a cotton ball against my wound.

"You think so?" I asked excitedly.

She chuckled. "I don't think so, my dear. I *know* so."

The ticklish peck she gave me made my heart swell with emotion. That was when I caught sight of the bruises on her wrist.

"What happened to you, Mum?" I asked innocently. But when her eyes met mine, she quickly hid the bruise behind a smile.

"I got burned while cooking dinner."

"But, Mum... how come it's so big? That doesn't look like a burn... it looks like-"

"Don't pry further, Erick," she interrupted, forcing a smile. "Come, I made dinner. I'm sure you'll love it."

However, I had a nagging feeling in my heart. I looked up at my mother and saw the unshed tears she was hiding behind her smile, but I dismissed it immediately.

That day was my birthday, and I was sure Mum and Dad had a big surprise for me.

"Good morning, Erick," Ria, the maid, greeted as she walked toward the curtains.

"How are my parents, Ria? Are they going to throw a huge party for me?" I asked, making an excited hand gesture.

"Of course, darling. You are the most handsome, well-behaved, and kindest little boy I have ever known."

"Really, Miss Ria?"

"Yes, and I'm sure, little master, your birthday will be exceptionally celebrated."

My eyes lit up, and I hugged her.

Ria was my nanny and my third-best friend-after Mum and my baby sister, Emma, who was still in Mum's womb.

My relationship with Dad, however, was different. The first time I saw him kill someone, I was only seven.

That night, I had gone to fetch my ball when I saw my father shoot his best friend, Mark, after a heated argument. Ever since then, I had been scared of him.

"Come, Erick, it's time for your makeover."

After Ria finished dressing me up, I thanked her and decided that the first person I wanted to see on my ninth birthday was Mum.

Dressed in a red suit and tie, with my curly hair neatly combed back, I ran to my parents' room. After knocking several times with no response, I pushed the door open-only to be met with an unforgiving, grave scene.

---

"Boss..."

Jack's voice snapped me out of my trance. I turned to face him, noticing his confused grin.

"Are you falling for her?" he asked, clearing his throat.

A look of displeasure crossed my face as I glared at him.

"Watch your mouth, Jack," I warned.

But he stepped closer. "Why did it seem like you were jealous when I was talking to her?"

I clenched my fists, grinding my teeth.

"Does it seem like it?" I asked nonchalantly.

He smiled knowingly. "Don't tell me you're going to keep this a secret from her. And I think you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes, you should let go of the pain."

"Enough, Jack!" I snapped. "The fact that you're my friend doesn't give you the right to spew nonsense."

Jack silently glanced over at the pool before speaking again.

"She refused to eat, and none of us can convince her. If you care, you should calm her down or-"

"I'll try," I cut in. "But while I'm at it, I want you to go on a business trip for me."

"Where to?"

"Chicago. Oversee everything and ensure things run smoothly."

"Yes, Boss," he said before walking away.

I took a slow sip of my cocktail wine.

---

### **Araya's POV**

I leaned against the bed, staring at the different desserts in front of me. My stomach grumbled, reminding me of my skipped meal, but I quickly averted my gaze.

I was still lost in thought when the door suddenly slammed open, making me jump.

Dragons stepped inside, his gaze immediately falling on the untouched desserts. He gritted his teeth before lifting his eyes to glare at me.

"Why haven't you eaten?" he growled.

I clenched my dress tightly out of fear.

"I'm not hungry," I muttered, finding his intense stare ridiculous.

In the blink of an eye, his hand shot out. I braced myself, expecting a slap, but instead, his fingers slid under my chin.

He leaned in, his hot breath fanning my face, before crashing his lips against mine.

"You're so beautiful, Araya," he murmured. "What baffles me is why you ever dated someone like Jason."

He rested his head on my lap, absentmindedly running a hand over my stomach.

"i wish I can tell you Ara but how would i? All I've always wanted is to have the family of my own. a baby that I will shower unconditional love to and cherish forever. He blabbed as tears fell from his face. I knew he was drunk when he said that.The tips of my noze itched red as tears pricked my eyes.

**Araya's POV**

The room was heavy with silence, but my heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it even in his sleep. Dragons lay beside me, his face calm, free from the usual hardness that sent shivers down my spine. His words replayed in my mind over and over again.

*"All I've always wanted is to have a family of my own, a baby that I will shower unconditional love to and cherish forever."*

Tears pricked my eyes as I stared at him. My fingers trembled as I reached out, hesitating just above his cheek before pulling back. He looked vulnerable-something I never thought I'd associate with him. This man, who had controlled everything around him with cold precision, was breaking apart right before me, and I was the only one who knew.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, pressing a hand to my belly. *His child.*

I should tell him. I should whisper it now while he lay there, his walls lowered, his heart bleeding with longing. I should tell him his wish had already been granted.

But fear paralyzed me.

Would he believe me? Would he be happy, or would he push me away like he always did when emotions surfaced? Would he accuse me of trying to trap him? My lips parted, the words forming at the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them back down.

I wasn't ready.

Not yet.

Instead, I sat there watching him, memorizing every line of his face, every slow breath he took. It was foolish, I knew. But for this moment, I allowed myself to pretend. Pretend that he belonged to me, that this wasn't all just a cruel twist of fate.

The warmth of his body was comforting, intoxicating even. I closed my eyes, feeling my heart ache.

*"I am pregnant with your child."*

I rehearsed the words in my mind, but they never left my lips.

Instead, I gently pulled the blanket over him, wiping away the stray tear that had dried on his cheek before slipping off the bed.

I needed to think.

I needed to breathe.

Before I lost myself completely in the storm that was Dragons.

---

**Dragons' POV**

The cold air brushed against my skin, stirring me awake. My eyes fluttered open to the dimly lit room, and I immediately felt the emptiness beside me.

She was gone.

I sat up, rubbing a hand over my face, trying to clear the remnants of my intoxicated mind. But even through the haze, I remembered every word I had said to her.

I had exposed a part of myself I swore I never would.

A curse slipped from my lips as I swung my legs off the bed. My head throbbed, but the pain was nothing compared to the dull ache in my chest. I had let my guard down, and I knew Araya had seen it.

I could still feel the warmth of her presence, the lingering scent of her skin.

Had she judged me for my weakness? Did she think less of me now?

Or worse-did she pity me?

The thought made my jaw clench. I couldn't allow that.

A flicker of movement caught my eye. The door was slightly ajar, the faintest sliver of light seeping through. I knew where she had gone.

Without thinking, I stood up, grabbing the robe that hung by the chair and draping it over my shoulders before stepping out into the dim hallway.

I found her in the garden, standing by the pool, her arms wrapped around herself as she stared into the water. The soft glow of the moon bathed her in silver light, making her look almost ethereal.

For a moment, I just watched her, my heart twisting at the sight.

She looked lost.

Just like me.

I exhaled slowly and stepped forward, my voice rough but gentle.

"Araya."

She tensed, her shoulders stiffening before she turned to face me.

Her eyes-those deep, beautiful eyes-held so many emotions.

And for the first time, I was afraid of what she might say.

Would she push me away? Would she throw my vulnerability back in my face?

**Araya's POV** 

I stared at him, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. The sight of him—his broad frame draped in a robe, his ocean blue eyes burning under the moonlight—should have made my heart race. Once, I might have felt something close to admiration. 

But now, all I felt was hate. 

The kind that poisoned my veins, the kind that clawed at my chest, the kind that made my lips tremble with the force of unspoken words. 

Dragons took a step forward, hesitant, like he knew he was stepping on fragile ground. "Why did you leave the bed?" His voice was lower now, softer, as if he cared. 

I let out a bitter laugh, the sound foreign even to my own ears. "Are you really asking me that?" 

He frowned, the crease between his brows deepening. 

I took a step back, creating distance between us. "Do you want me to lie, Dragons? Do you want me to tell you I felt safe in your arms? That I wanted to wake up beside you?" My voice was shaking, but I didn't stop. I wanted him to hear it. Every venomous truth. 

His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. 

"I hate you." The words came out quieter than I expected, but they carried more weight than any scream. "I hate you, and I always will." 

I saw the flicker of something in his eyes—something unreadable, something dark—but he masked it quickly. 

"You don't mean that," he murmured. 

I let out a cold laugh, my chest tightening. "I don't? You kidnapped me, Dragons. You locked me away. You tortured me—broke me apart piece by piece, and you have the audacity to think I could ever—" My voice cracked, and I clenched my fists harder. 

He took another step forward, but I flinched, and that stopped him in his tracks. 

That small movement—so small, yet so loud—made something shift in his expression. His hands curled into fists, his lips pressing into a thin line. For a moment, the mask cracked, and I saw it. 

Guilt. 

Good. He should feel guilty. He should drown in it. 

I turned away, wrapping my arms around myself. "You said you wanted a family," I whispered, my voice hollow. "You wanted a child to love. A child to cherish. But you never once thought about what kind of monster that child would be born to." 

Silence. 

Thick, suffocating silence. 

Then, he spoke. 

"I would never hurt my own child." 

I laughed again, shaking my head. "You hurt me." I turned, my eyes burning into his. "You hurt me in ways I'll never recover from, and you expect me to believe you'd be any different with a child?" 

Something dark flickered across his face. 

"I never meant to—" 

"Don't," I cut him off, my voice sharp like a blade. "Don't you dare stand there and act like you regret any of it." My breathing was uneven, my nails digging into my skin. "You don't regret what you did to me. You only regret that it makes you look like the monster you are." 

His expression turned blank. Cold. As if shutting himself off from my words. 

That was all I needed to see. 

"Goodnight, Dragons." My voice was empty. "Or rather, I hope you never sleep peacefully again." 

I turned, walking away, feeling his gaze burn into my back. 

I didn't care if he was hurting. 

Because no matter what he felt, no matter how much guilt or regret he pretended to carry… 

It would never compare to the scars he left on me. 

--- 

**Dragons' POV** 

She hated me. Good , I should have expected it. Should have embraced it. 

So why did it feel like she had driven a blade straight through my chest? 

I stood there, unmoving, watching her disappear into the shadows of the mansion. My hands clenched at my sides, my heart hammering against my ribs. 

She was right. I had hurt her. I had broken her. 

But the worst part? 

I had fallen for her. 

And I would never allow myself to admit it. 

Love was weakness. Love made men foolish. 

I had seen it before—I had seen how love turned kings into cowards, how it made men like me lose control. And control was all I had left. 

So I forced myself to bury it. 

I forced myself to kill whatever it was that had begun to grow inside me. 

Araya would never love me. 

And I would never give her the satisfaction of knowing… 

That I had loved her first.