Months had passed since Eva's pregnancy was confirmed, and the King household was a mix of excitement and chaos. Eva’s moods swung like a pendulum, and Andrew bore the brunt of her emotional whirlwind.

“Andrew!” Eva’s voice rang out sharply.

Andrew sighed, closing his laptop as he looked at her. “What’s wrong, Angel?”

“I’m hungry,” Eva pouted, crossing her arms.

“You just ate, sweetheart,” Andrew said gently, trying not to smile.

Eva’s glare could have set him on fire. “Are you saying I’m eating too much?” Her eyes filled with tears, and Andrew froze.

“No, no! That’s not what I meant,” Andrew panicked, standing up to comfort her.

“You don’t love me anymore!” Eva sobbed, her voice trembling with heartbreak.

Andrew cursed her pregnancy hormones silently. “Angel,” he said softly, holding her face in his hands and wiping her tears with his thumbs. “Of course I love you.”

“No, you don’t!” she said defiantly. “You’re always on your laptop. Maybe you should just marry your laptop!” She turned and stomped out of the room, leaving Andrew dumbfounded.

“Mom!” Eva called out, rushing into Vanessa’s arms.

“What’s wrong, my girl? Who made you cry?” Vanessa asked, her voice filled with concern as she stroked Eva’s hair.

“Mom, he’s cheating on me!” Eva declared, sniffling dramatically.

“What?” Orion entered the room, his voice booming. “Who’s cheating?”

“Grandpa! Andrew is cheating on me!” Eva wailed, burying her face in Vanessa’s shoulder.

“I’m not cheating!” Andrew exclaimed, following behind, his frustration evident.

“Don’t speak,” Vanessa snapped at Andrew, silencing him. “Eva, tell me what happened.”

Andrew stood there, stunned by how quickly the family had taken Eva’s side.

“See, Mom?” Eva sniffled. “He won’t even admit it.”

“Andrew!” Leonard entered, glaring. “How dare you cheat on my daughter?”

Andrew was about to explode. “I didn’t cheat, dammit!” he shouted, his voice echoing in the room. “I love her. She’s the only one for me.”

However, Eva had missed his confession as she fell fast asleep on her mother-in-law.

“Shush. Let her be happy. It’s just her mood swings,” Vanessa said soothingly, brushing Eva’s hair as her daughter fell asleep in her lap.

“Enjoy the next four months, brother,” Alex teased, chuckling as he watched Andrew’s defeated expression.

“I’m so fed up,” Andrew muttered as he carefully lifted Eva from Vanessa’s lap and carried her to their bedroom.

“Well one son has grown up. Now I just have this brat,” Vanessa sighed was she turned her attention towards Alex.

“Let’s go, Little Devil,” Alex said, pulling Ariana by the hand to his bedroom. “That’s my cue to leave.”

Inside his bedroom, Alex announced he was going to shower, leaving Ariana to sit on the bed, lost in her thoughts. Six months and he hasn’t touched me. Why? she wondered, her insecurities bubbling to the surface.

When Alex returned, dressed casually in sweatpants and a t-shirt, he froze in the doorway. Ariana stood before him, wearing a black silk robe that clung to her curves.

“Little Devil,” Alex started, his voice husky. “What’s this?”

Ariana untied the robe, letting it fall to the floor, revealing a lacy black lingerie set.

“Do you like what you see?” she asked seductively.

“Very much,” Alex admitted, swallowing hard as he stepped closer. His fingers tilted her chin, his eyes blazing with desire. “You’re playing with fire.”

“Then lose control,” Ariana challenged.

“I’ve been holding back, but I can’t anymore,” Alex growled before claiming her lips in a fiery kiss.

He kissed her neck, his hands exploring her body. “Once I take you, there’s no going back,” Alex said, his voice deep with lust.

“I’m sure. Please don’t stop,” Ariana whispered.

Alex positioned himself over her, entering her with a quick thrust. Ariana cried out his name, their passion igniting like a wildfire. They moved together in perfect rhythm, their moans filling the room as they reached their peak in unison.

Lying side by side, Ariana sighed, “That was amazing.”

Alex turned to her, his expression darkening slightly. “You weren’t a virgin.”

Ariana froze before answering quietly. “I was raped once, and the second time was a drunken mistake.”

Alex’s jaw clenched, rage simmering just below the surface. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. Whoever hurt you will pay.

Kissing her forehead, Alex vowed silently to protect her from that day forward. As Ariana drifted off to sleep, Alex made a promise to himself: he would find the man who had hurt her and make him regret the day he was born.