Julian's POV

I didn’t—couldn’t hear anything else after Asher’s last sentence.

‘You’re leaving now.’

The words echoed heavily around in my head, my throat slowly growing dry in embarrassment and shock at the instant rejection.

I stood there in the middle of the hospital’s corridor, folder still clutched tight in my hands, heart pounding so loud I could barely hear my own thoughts.

Leaving? That was it?

Not a ‘how did this happen?’ or ‘I’m sorry, how do we even fix this?’ Just—kick her out, and voila, problem solved.

I followed him outside in a daze, the late afternoon sun stabbing my eyes like it had its own personal vendetta against me.

“Asher, wait,” I finally managed to say, my voice coming out sharper than I’d intended. “I didn’t ask for this. At least go through—”

“I’m not interested in whatever excuse or story you’re about to make,” he cut in smoothly, not even slowing down as he reached his car. “I've seen this before. This isn't the first time women try to prey on me to create scandals the moment I go into seclusion.”

I froze on the sidewalk, my chest tightening at the accusations. “Scandal?”

His eyes moved to me, cold and unreadable. “I’ll have someone transfer you enough money to cover the road incident and… your situation.” His voice lowered at the last words as he typed in something on his face. “You’ll be taken care of. You and the baby.”

I stared at him, heat rushing to my face. “So that’s it? Just throw money at any problem that comes to you until it disappears? Is that how all you millionaires behave? Gosh, I’ve never felt so bad in my life!”

His jaw flexed at my response, but he didn’t answer and continued typing.

I shook my head, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. “You know what? Keep your money, Asher. I can find my way just fine from here! I’m thankful for the help you’ve given me already, but I’m not going to be someone’s… trophy. Or a charity case.”

The corner of his mouth twitched like he might say something, but he didn’t. Instead, he opened the driver’s side door and slid in without another glance, his hands gripping his steering wheel tightly as he sat there for sometime.

And just like that, the car took off, leaving me standing in the open, and coming to the realisation that Asher Blackwood was gone.

*****

I didn’t go back to my apartment.

Not when Watt had taken over them.

There was no way I was stepping my feet in that place again.

However, there was still one place left for me to go, even though I’d spent the last two years pretending it didn’t exist.

My father’s house.

Or, more accurately, my billionaire father’s house.

The man I’d finally found after years of not knowing him, only to keep it a secret from Watt, my ex-husband. I’d told myself it was for my own protection since he went into seclusion for a reason.

I tried to convince myself that I did that because I didn't want anyone to meddle again into my personal affairs, but deep down, I knew it was because I was scared of venturing into that kind of life.

Not after the one Watt had already shown me.

I swallowed hard when the gates to the estate swung open, allowing me to step inside, it was like welcoming me back into another life entirely.

Staff in crisp uniforms moved around to attend to their duties, decorations lined up in all the grand entry halls, and I could hear music and laughter drifting in from the terrace the closer I got.

Everyone seemed… busy.

I took a deep breath when I spotted my father in the middle of all the activities. A tall, distinguished man with the kind of presence that demanded respect despite how sweet he was whenever he talked. His smile lit up when he saw me.

“Julian!” he announced with a hearty laughter, pulling me into a hug that smelled faintly of expensive cologne and a home I'd missed all my life. “This is perfect! You came at the right time!”

Perfect time for what?

Apparently, for a party I didn’t know I was starring in.

Before I could protest, he was guiding me toward the terrace, where people in designer suits and expensive gowns sipped champagne under long strings of fairy lights.

I blinked in surprise and awe when I recognized some faces that starred in magazines and shows.

What on earth was going on?

“Ladies and gentlemen,” my father called out, his voice stood out from the low whispers of conversation in the place, “thank you all for coming to welcome home my only daughter.”

I'm sorry? Was there an invitation I missed?

I froze, suddenly aware of every pair of eyes turning toward me. Flashes of smiles, nods of approval and intrigued looks all placed on me.

God, I wanted to shrink into the floor so badly.

But apparently, that wasn't even all.

“Ah, and here’s my son,” my father said, his voice beaming with pride and excitement as his arms splayed out to a hall behind us.

I turned just as a familiar tall figure stepped into view, my heart and jaws dropping in complete disbelief.

What was he doing here?

He was wearing a dark suit this time, the cuts from the edges sharp enough to slice through papers, his hair perfectly in place like a formal look. And walking in like he owned the entire evening, which—knowing him for barely two days—he probably did.

“Asher,” my father continued, oblivious to the way my entire world was falling apart from where I stood, “I was just introducing your sister to our guests.”

Sister…

I was Asher's freaking sister!

The word stung hard, almost like a gun kept firing bullets into my chest. Did Asher know? Is that why he….let me in in the first place? But he looks just as shocked as I am…or is he faking it?

I barely heard the rest of his conversation until the worst finally happened.

“…and of course, we’re so happy to have your fiancée, Regina here too, for a proper wedding this time.”

My vision started to blur as a headache took over, my hands going cold with the champagne still frozen in my hold. My brain tried to process three pieces of information at once.

One, I was pregnant.

Two, I was pregnant….with my brother's child.

Three, he was getting married?!