I watched in shock as a genuine smile formed on Kaid’s lips as he spoke to the woman on the phone. He had called her name.

Vivian.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn’t help but wonder who she was. She must be exceptional—the type of woman who could make an arrogant man like Kaid Geyson appear human. I gently walked over to the door of my room and placed my ear against the surface. The faint muffle of his voice could be heard. But there was no mistaking the tenderness in his tone.

While still trying to pick out his words clearly, another wave of nausea hit me, and I rushed to the bathroom, locking myself in and emptying the contents of my bowels. Unfortunately, nothing came out except for a few liquids, as I had almost nothing to eat the night prior.

By the time I was certain there was nothing left for me to puke, my hands moved of their own accord to the tap and scooped some water to splash on my face while my heart churned with the thought of a life growing inside me—for a man who hated me as much as I hated him, maybe more.

This child was not meant to happen. It wasn’t part of the plan nor the contract.

If Kaid knew about this child, he definitely would use it as leverage against me. Not to mention the dynamics in our relationship.

This was a disaster.

“Sage,” Kaid called out to me, jerking me from my reverie that I almost flinched in shock.

“Restroom. I'd be out shortly.” I called out hurriedly without taking my eyes from the mirror. Other than the fact that I looked pale, there was nothing giving off that I was currently pregnant.

Just a while longer…I would have to tell him sooner or later, and perhaps we could decide on the child. Whatever the case was, I wasn’t going to raise my child with a man like him, much less in a toxic environment.

The child is innocent and deserves better.

Then the fear crept into my mind.

The contract.

I had barely fulfilled all the obligations on the contract, and if I asked for its annulment, what would that mean for my father’s company? Our properties—my mother’s house.

‘Think about the baby, Sage,’ I murmured. ‘Nothing else matters except this child.’

A small smile curved my lips as I placed my palm over my belly. I wasn’t showing yet, but the thought of a life growing inside me—someone to call my own filled me with hope.

Nothing else mattered.

Squaring my shoulders, I released a shaky breath and stepped out of the bathroom. I was met with Kaid’s dark aura.

I scoffed and walked past him.

There was no denying that there was something between us…

Hatred.

Why did he marry me when he had Vivian?

Suddenly irritated at the line of my thoughts, I languidly picked up a fork from the food tray to dig into breakfast.

If I didn’t eat now, he definitely would know something was wrong with me, and I was not ready for another bout of arguments right now.

“We have a banquet to attend by 8 pm tonight. The driver will bring you to the venue. I won’t be able to wrap up in time from work to come get you.”

“Right. Anything else?” My tone was sharp, obviously irritated with the business-like tone he always conversed with.

Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, but my tolerance level of Kaid’s overbearing and arrogant nature seemed to have gone high over the roof.

He paused, his glare on me like he was trying to peel off layer of my flesh and bones and bare my soul.

Ignoring his blatant stare, I focused on breakfast and opted for a hot cup of tea to calm the fluttery feeling in my lower abdomen.

“You look pale. Are you ill?” His fingers suddenly brushed my cheeks lightly, my breath hitched, and my eyes flew to his face.

Why was he suddenly touching me, and with such tenderness? If there was anything I knew about Kaid was that he was never tender—well, not where I was concerned.

This was probably one of his sick twisted mind games he always played, where he was the hunter and I was the helpless prey.

“What are you doing?” My voice was higher than intended, but I couldn’t help it.

“You didn’t answer my question, Sage,” He growled.

I hissed and held his hand to stop his caresses.

“I’m fine,” I hissed, pulling his hands away from my face, and angrily muttered. “You’ve never cared anyway, so I don’t see why you’re bothered about how I look. Pale or not.”

There was no use pretending—I couldn’t have this breakfast. Not when another wave of nausea was threatening to hit.

I stood up and walked past him to the huge glass window that led to a balcony overlooking the estate. I carefully opened the sliding windows and stepped onto the balcony. Closing my eyes briefly as a wave of air kissed my face. The impact of the cold air did wonders for my nausea, suddenly pushing it back.

Suddenly, I felt a sudden movement behind me, and turned to find Kaid standing a few steps from me.

“For someone who is under my mercy, you sure know how to overplay your hand.” His chin hardened as I glared at him with an equally pissed look of my own.

“I have done everything you’ve asked me. I still do everything you ask of me. Why do I have to answer you on matters that are mine alone?”

His hands grabbed my neck forcefully, slamming my body against his, making me acutely aware of the thin fabric I was wearing as my skin suddenly felt hot, pressed against his hard flesh.

There was nothing soft about this cold, ruthless stepbrother of mine.

“Oh, but you do,” His lips curved into a wicked smirk. “Because I own you—every inch of you,” His voice gruff as his breath fanned my face.

“Go fuck yourself, Kaid!” I muttered between clenched teeth as I met his gaze, ignoring the pain of his hand on my neck.

Before I could think, his lips slammed into mine into a possessive kiss, as he released his hold on my neck. Just as suddenly, his hands moved to the back of my neck, keeping me firmly in place as his lips devoured mine in a sinful kiss.

My body burned with rage, but I guess it didn’t burn as much as I found myself opening up to him as his tongue delved deeper into my mouth, branding me, and before I knew it, I was kissing him back. Touching him shamelessly while his hands squeezed the roundness of my butt.

His breath mingling with mine made me overwhelmed with need. His hands moved to squeeze my waist and moved up to my breasts, squeezing them. A helpless moan escaped me, and I sighed against his lips, then leaned in for another taste.

My body was on fire despite the cold, chilly air. My hands moved to his neck, wrapped around him like a loose-fitted glove as the onslaught of his lips on mine continued, and his hands on my body made me a hot mess.

I was hot and desperate for him.

My needy moans filled the air around us, then he suddenly stopped. Just when he was meant to go further—and give me the release from the fire he had ignited.

His hands pulled away from my flesh, and he folded them across his chest, and looked at me like a teacher who was about to reprimand a naughty student. His cold blue eyes trailed every part of my body, making me aware of how the fabric I had on displayed my curves.

Slowly, his lips curved to that wicked smirk I’ve almost gotten accustomed to.

“See you at 8, Sage,” And with that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me pining, needy, and a hot mess.

He didn’t need to exchange words with me. All he needed was to show me who was in charge.

The Bastard.