ck-up date had finally arrived. But Dominic was away on a tr

on the well-being of her unborn child. As she exited

allowed to go outsi

ointment. Do you want Dominic to punish you? Th

but his resolve remained. "Sorry,

teely tone. "Call Arthur no

o alone," Arthur said firml

r, don't talk like Dominic. I'm feeling suffo

cker of warmth danced in his eyes at the sound o

my responsibilit

ders sagged. "T

but promise me you'll return within an hour. It

tened. "I'll be home

nodded.

ng up t

st. Unknown to Dominic and the rest of the world, Valerie and Alastair had a history, one filled with moments of tendernes

rie and Alastair had meticulously kept their history concealed, ensuring it didn't compromi

*********

d picture of her baby. The doctor's words still echoed in her mind: "It's a boy

e frequently drifted to the image of her unborn s

ing watched. Valerie's eyes darted to the rearview m

the tail, but the sedan persisted. Panic set in as Valerie rea

egnant, her re

the rear window. Valerie's scream was dr

andoning the car. Valerie stumbled out, h

regnant body protested. Eac

e darted between pedestrians

inning her around. Valerie's eye

go!" she

s grip t

ng with us,"

away, her thoughts consumed by her unborn chi

ough hands grasped her, a cold

ng surprise. "Oh my god, the wife of th

yes widened

," Valeri

uards? How can you roam without protection? Look

trembled. "I'm p

took my precious thing – my love. How can I leave his preci

yes widened

ase..." sh

d, a sinister grin s

heart skip

u," she s

tes to run. If you reach your car, I won't h

erie sprinted, fueled by her des

Valerie fell, her ar

. "Shit! I mi

d, desperate t

d her injured arm, a

ome," Viktor sneered, kick

ed, crying o

sumed him, oblivi

and darkness engu

ifeless body, his chest

whispered, before disap

**********