Chapter 0282

Hannah

“Then prove it,” Leonard hissed, stepping closer. “Take the serum.”

I was backed against the wall, claws and fangs extended, but fear paralyzed me. Before I could react, Leonard lunged, grabbing my hair.

I stifled a cry of pain as he yanked my head back, bringing the vial to my lips. The cool glass pressed against my mouth, and I clenched my teeth, refusing to open them.

“Stop fighting,” Leonard whispered, his breath hot against my ear. “Just drink it!”

I couldn’t bear it any longer. Fear for my baby overwhelmed me, and I knew I had to tell the truth.

“I’m pregnant, Leonard,” I blurted. “I can’t take that serum!”

Leonard froze, his eyes widening in shock. His grip on my hair loosened slightly, but the vial remained pressed against my lips.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a thunderous bang, falling from its hinges and crashing to the floor. Noah stood in the doorway, eyes blazing with fury, chest heaving. A crushed bouquet of roses lay forgotten behind him.

“You’re pregnant?!” he roared.

Caught in the act, Leonard dropped the vial, the glass shattering on the floor. He mumbled something unintelligible and fled down the hallway. Neither Noah nor I paid him any attention, too focused on each other to notice his escape.

My heart pounded as I stared at Noah, terrified of his reaction. For several long moments, we stood in stunned silence.

“Is it true?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “Noah, I—”

“Don’t lie to me, Hannah,” he cut me off, stepping closer. “Are you really… pregnant?” His eyes flicked to my belly.

For a moment, I considered denying it—claiming it was a lie to deter Leonard. But I knew it would be futile; Noah would see through the deception. There was no more hiding it.

So, I nodded slowly, hot tears welling in my eyes. “Yes,” I whispered.

Noah’s face registered a whirlwind of emotions—surprise, anger, betrayal, and something akin to hope—before settling on betrayal.

Chapter 0292

I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “About three months,” I admitted, my throat raw. “Although I had it confirmed at the hospital after… after Jake.” I shook my head, unable to speak the words. “I’m supposed to go for my first checkup tomorrow morning.”

Noah’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Three months?” he growled. “You’ve known for three months, you have an appointment tomorrow, and you didn’t tell me?”

I flinched at the venom in his voice. “I was… scared,” I said softly.

“Scared?” Noah scoffed. “Of what? Me?”

I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. “I was afraid you would try to take the baby in the divorce.”

“Fuck, Hannah,” Noah growled, clutching his hair—words he’d once murmured sensuously, but now… “So that’s why you specified taking any Nightcrest members with you when you left.”

All I could do was nod, frozen. Pressed against the wall, I felt my fingernails dig into my palms.

Noah’s face darkened with rage. “You were going to steal my child?” he snarled, closing the distance between us. “After everything we’ve been through, after all the years we’ve tried for a baby, you were just going to run away with my heir?”

I felt a surge of anger, momentarily eclipsing my fear. “Your heir?” I spat. “Is that all this baby is to you? An heir?”