The tension in the penthouse was suffocating.
Liam hadn't left Elina's side since last night, watching her like she might vanish at any moment. She, in turn, avoided eye contact, her expression unreadable as she cradled their child's ultrasound in her hand like it was the only thing grounding her to reality.
Liam knew he had to do something. Not just to protect her—but to uncover the full truth. His father's secrets were deeper than he thought, and if Elina was involved, then their baby was already part of the storm.
But before he could open his mouth, Elina spoke first.
"I want to meet him."
Liam blinked. "Who?"
"Your father."
The words hit like ice water. "Elina, that's not a good idea. He's not—"
"I need to see his eyes when I tell him I'm carrying his grandchild," she said calmly. "I need to know if the monster who destroyed my mother is capable of pretending to care about mine."
Liam clenched his jaw. "He won't give you closure."
"I'm not going for closure. I'm going for power."
He hesitated. "I'll go with you."
"No," she said firmly. "This is between him and me."
Two hours later
The Randall estate was a cold, sprawling mansion built more like a fortress than a home. Elina stood before the door, her heart pounding but her back straight.
The butler greeted her, recognizing her immediately. "Miss Elina. Mr. Randall is expecting you."
Expecting me?
She followed the man into a massive office where Charles Randall sat behind a desk, drinking scotch and flipping through a file. He didn't even glance up.
"You have your mother's eyes," he said casually.
Elina flinched. "You knew her well, didn't you?"
Charles raised his eyes slowly, cold and sharp. "Well enough to ruin her. And now you're here, thinking you'll get revenge?"
"No," Elina said, stepping forward. "I'm here to tell you that history doesn't get to repeat itself."
He chuckled. "You think marrying my son gives you leverage?"
"No," she said, her voice firm. "But carrying your heir does."
His face changed—just slightly. Enough for Elina to see the crack in the mask.
"You're pregnant?"
"Yes."
He stood. Walked around the desk. "Does Liam know you're here?"
"No. And he won't. If you touch him, if you even breathe in his direction with malice, I will destroy everything you built—piece by piece."
There was a long silence.
Then Charles did something Elina didn't expect.
He smiled.
"You've got fire," he said. "Just like her."
"Don't compare us."
He nodded once. "Fine. But let's make a deal."
"I'm not interested in anything you—"
"Listen carefully," he interrupted. "If you want to protect that child, you'll do as I say. There's a board vote coming up. If Liam takes control of the company, you'll be in danger. Not from me. From the people I've kept quiet all these years."
Her blood ran cold.
"Give me Liam's resignation," he said. "Convince him to walk away. In return, I'll make sure you and the baby are untouchable."
Elina stared at him. "You want me to betray him."
"I want you to save him."
Back at the penthouse…
Elina returned just after sunset, her expression unreadable.
Liam stood up immediately. "Where were you?"
"Nowhere important."
"Elina, talk to me."
She turned to him, her heart cracking. "What if walking away from your legacy was the only way to protect what you love?"
He frowned. "What are you talking about?"
She hesitated. "Would you… leave your company behind, if it meant keeping me and the baby safe?"
Liam walked to her slowly. "What happened?"
"Answer the question, Liam."
He cupped her face. "I'd burn it all down if I had to."
But she could see in his eyes that he didn't mean it—at least not fully. It was a part of him. A burden, a legacy, but still his.
And that was when she realized the truth.
If she wanted to save him, she couldn't ask him to walk away.
She'd have to take on his father herself.
Later that night…
Elina sat on the balcony, her laptop open, files scattered across the table. The envelope from earlier, with the photograph, was beside her. She traced the edges of it like it held the answers to everything.
Then, her screen lit up.
A name appeared.
Unknown Sender: I have the rest of the story. Meet me. Tonight. Alone.
A location followed.
Elina stared at the message.
Was this a trap?
Or the key to unraveling everything?
She didn't wake Liam.
She just left.
---
End of chapter✍️.