Richard looked down at the fragile-looking girl in his arms. It was clear she was in pain.
"Pedro! Call the family doctor!" he shouted as he rushed her to the car and headed straight for his penthouse.
At the penthouse, Richard asked anxiously, "Doctor, how is she doing?"
"Mr. Richard, how could you be so careless?" the doctor replied, shaking his head. "She is severely malnourished, and it's not good for the baby's health. Her pregnancy is unstable because of the malnourishment."
"Doctor, what's the way forward?"
"I'll prescribe some medicine. She needs to eat healthy, nutritious food. Also, no bedroom activity her body is far too weak for that right now."
"Okay, doctor. Thank you."
"Here is the prescription. I'll be on my way now," the doctor said as he walked out of the room.
"Pedro, tell the butler to prepare nutritious food and get the medicine the doctor prescribed," Richard instructed, his eyes fixed on her pale, sweet, innocent face as she slept soundly. "I'm going to my study. Make sure she is well taken care of. I have some unfinished work."
"Yes, sir," Pedro replied with a bow as Richard walked out.
Claudia yawned and stared at the bed. It felt so soft.
"Agh!" she squealed as a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. Why does it hurt so badly?
Suddenly, everything that happened yesterday flooded back into her mind. Wait, where am I? Is this Richard's house? she whispered to herself.
A knock on the door snapped her back to reality.
"Please come in!" she called out.
"Good morning, ma'am," an elderly lady greeted her warmly.
"Ma'am?" Claudia asked in disbelief.
"Oh, Mr. Richard ordered us to call you ma'am as the lady of the house," the woman replied with a kind smile.
"Lady of the house?" Claudia repeated, shocked.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Please call me Claudia."
"Oh, okay. I'm Butler Lucy."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am Lucy."
"Please, just call me Lucy or Butler, whichever you prefer."
"Okay, Lucy," Claudia replied.
"Here is your medicine and some food," Lucy said, placing the tray on the bedside table. "Mr. Richard said you shouldn't leave the house until you're better."
"What?!" Claudia exclaimed. "But I have to go to school. I have exams today!"
Lucy gave a small bow and quietly left the room.
"But I have to be in school… I can't miss today's exams," Claudia muttered, pacing around the room.
She hadn't even noticed how big the room was. Wow… this is real luxury. So spacious, with a huge king-size bed so big and incredibly soft.
Her hand drifted back to her stomach. The pain was still there, duller now, but constant. A reminder.
I'm carrying his child. And he knows. And instead of throwing me out or pretending I don't exist… he brought me here. To this palace in the sky. And told people to call me ma'am.
Her throat tightened.
But why? Is it guilt? Pity? Control? Does he think he owns me now because of this baby? Or… or is he actually trying to take care of me?
She looked around the enormous room again—the kind of space that made you feel small on purpose.
I don't belong here. Richard is way out of my league.
Tears stung suddenly.
I'm scared. I'm so scared. Of him. Of this baby. Of what happens next. Of failing my exams and never escaping. Of him changing his mind tomorrow and sending me back to that house.
But underneath the fear, tiny, fragile, almost too dangerous to name, something else flickered.
He didn't leave me on the street. He carried me. He called a doctor. He's making sure I eat.
She swallowed hard.
Maybe… maybe this doesn't have to be the end of everything. Maybe it could be… something else.
Claudia reached for the spoon with shaking fingers.
One bite at a time, Claudia. Just survive today. Then figure out tomorrow.
The oatmeal was warm. Sweet. Perfect.
And for the first time in weeks, her stomach didn't immediately rebel.
She closed her eyes and let one tear slip free.
Maybe I can do this.
Maybe we can do this