My Baby Told Me to Marry a Villain

I was Elara, the false heiress of the Montgomery family.

To clear the path for their real daughter to marry her true love, my adoptive family forced me into an arranged marriage.

My groom was her infamous, ruthless fianc, Dominic Thorne.

On my wedding day, everyone pitied me. But my only concern was the secret life growing inside me.

Just as Father Michael asked if I would take him as my husband, I heard a voice from within my womb.

"Mom, say yes! Do it now, or your self-righteous sister wins!"

"You think you are entering hell. But Dominic has loved you in secret for ten years!"

"Your sweet, caring true love is a fraud. He is marrying Seraphina Montgomery only to steal the family fortune."

"Say yes. Or tonight, both of us will be staged as an accident and drowned in the river."

I snapped my head up and stared at the man everyone called ruthless and cold.

I stood beneath the harsh glare of the spotlights. Father Michael's solemn vows hummed in my ears.

"Miss Elara, do you take Mr. Dominic Thorne to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward..."

Did I? My hand moved instinctively to my stomach, where a three-month-old life pulsed softly.?My baby. Jasper's and mine.

For him, I had to refuse. I couldn't chain myself to that tyrant, Dominic, and drag us both into ruin.

Below the stage, my gentle Jasper Hayes watched me with a look that carved through my heart. Beside him, my so-called sister Seraphina held his arm with quiet possession, a smile of pure victory already curving her lips.

I drew a slow breath, poised to voice that single, defiant word:?No.

"Mom! Have you lost your mind?! Just say 'I do'!"

A tiny, urgent voice detonated inside my skull.

My body stiffened. I instinctively scanned my surroundings.

Who was speaking?

"Stop searching! It's me, the best kid you'll ever have, right here in your belly!"

"Oh my God, you're not seriously thinking of backing out for that scumbag down there, are you? He was with Seraphina in the green room this morning. He said once you marry Dominic, that living nightmare, you'll be driven insane within three months. Then he'd sweep in like a hero, 'rescue' you, and 'deal with' you and your baby for good."

What?

My mind went blank. An icy hand seemed to clamp around my heart, choking off my air.

Jasper...wants to 'deal with' us? No. That's impossible. He loves me. He promised to wait, to find a way to save me from this.

"Love-struck idiot, you're unbelievable! Mom, open your eyes! If he loved you, would he have knocked up Seraphina? Would he have shoved you into this marriage with Dominic?"

"Oh, wait. My bad. Seraphina's baby...isn't even his."

My head jerked up. My gaze locked onto the 'perfect couple' in the front row.

Seraphina was pregnant too. With that child, she had finally secured her engagement to Jasper. And I, the false heiress who had stolen her place for eighteen years, was nothing but a peace offering from the Montgomerys to the Thornes, neatly packaged and delivered.

"Her baby? It belongs to your dear brother, Arthur Montgomery. Tsk, what a mess. A sister pregnant by her own brother, then marrying some outside fling? Your family certainly knows how to have a good time."

The sheer volume of revelations stunned me.

How could this be? It was utterly absurd!

"And there's more! You think you're marrying hell, but this is heaven. The man before you, Dominic, has loved you secretly for ten years. Since high school. Every gift you ever gave Jasper, he threw in the trash. And every time, that poor fool Dominic would retrieve them and cherish each one like a treasure."

"Say yes, now. If you hesitate any longer, Jasper will activate his backup plan. He has already arranged everything. Tonight, he will stage an accident to ensure both of us end up dead at the bottom of the river. Then he will not only claim compensation from the Thornes but also smoothly take over the Montgomery family. He plans to kill three birds with one stone."

An icy dread shot from my feet to the crown of my head. I felt all the blood in my veins turn to ice.

My supposed great love was nothing but a carefully laid trap. And the abyss I feared was, in fact, my only path to survival.

Father Michael, seeing my prolonged silence, repeated. "Miss Elara, will you-"

"Wait." A clear, cold voice cut through his words.

It was Dominic. The man who had not spoken a single word since the ceremony began finally turned his head to look at me.

His features were carved from ice, devoid of all warmth. Yet in those unfathomably dark eyes, I thought I caught a flicker of something... nervousness?

"If you don't want this, you can leave right now," he said.

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Jasper's fists clenched instantly, and Seraphina's smile froze on her face.

I saw Jasper's lips form the silent command:?Elara, refuse him.

"Mom! Don't buy his act! Walk out today, and they'll fish us out of the river tomorrow. He's banking on you being too afraid of a public scene to actually do it!"

I closed my eyes. When I opened them, ?all the despair and grief had been forged into icy hatred.

I met Dominic's gaze, then, under the shocked stares of everyone present, I spoke each word, clear as a bell.

"I do."

The wedding concluded in an unsettling silence.

Dominic drove me directly to his secluded villa in the hills.

The entire ride was filled with a deathly silence.

Several times, I wanted to ask him about the 'ten-year secret crush' rumor, but looking at his profile, colder than an iceberg, all my words got stuck in my throat.

Maybe the Little One wasn't entirely right. Secretly in love with me for ten years? Impossible.

A man like Dominic, at the pinnacle of power, could have any woman he wanted. Why would he waste his time on a fake heiress like me?

The villa was vast, decorated in minimalist cool tones, so empty it lacked any warmth, much like its owner.

"Your room is over there." Dominic pointed to a guest room at the end of the hall, his voice devoid of warmth.

"Our marriage is merely a contract, for one year. During this year, stay in your lane, don't cause me trouble. After a year, I'll give you a sum of money, and we'll be even."

My heart sank. The faint spark of hope that had ignited at the wedding, after saying 'I do,' was completely extinguished by his cold words.

Just as I'd thought, I'd been delusional.

"Okay," I murmured, preparing to go upstairs.

"Wait," he called out again.

I turned back, a flicker of hope I hadn't even recognized myself stirring within me.

He pulled a black card from his pocket and tossed it onto the console table in the entryway.

"No pin, spend as you wish."

Then, he walked directly into his study, not sparing me another glance.

I stood frozen, feeling like a commodity with a price tag.

Humiliation, embarrassment, and a flicker of unidentifiable disappointment washed over me.

Just then, my phone rang, an ill-timed interruption. It was Mrs. Montgomery.

I pressed 'answer.' Before I could even speak, a barrage of reprimands rained down on me.

"Elara, have your wings grown, have they? Get your butt back here tomorrow, immediately!"

"Mrs. Montgomery, is there something wrong?" I gripped my phone tighter.

"Wrong? Your sister is heartbroken over your little stunt with Dominic! Even with Jasper, she can't bring herself to eat. And you, as her older sister-shouldn't you be here, comforting her? Let me make this clear. If you hadn't stolen eighteen years of Seraphina's life, she wouldn't be going through this hell!"

Her every word was like a needle, sharply piercing my heart.

"Seraphina is the true Montgomery heiress, and Jasper was always meant for her! You're nothing but a fraud, and marrying into the Thorne family is a blessing you don't deserve, so don't you dare be ungrateful!"

"I..." Humiliation burned. I bit my lower lip, almost agreeing.

A large, strong hand, knuckles prominent, suddenly reached over my shoulder and took my phone.

I gasped, turning to meet Dominic's icy gaze.

I hadn't even noticed him emerge from the study.

He brought the phone to his ear. I only heard him speak in a chilling, unquestionable tone:

"The Thorne family doesn't apologize to anyone."

Mrs. Montgomery on the other end seemed stunned, then her voice turned sickly sweet. "Mr. Thorne, I... I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted Elara to come home and visit..."

"My wife," Dominic cut her off, "from today forward, her only duty is to take care of herself. As for comforting others, she's busy, and I won't allow it."

He hung up abruptly, handing my phone back. Throughout the entire exchange, his expression remained unchanged. After that, he turned to the waiting butler. "Prepare a light supper for my wife." Then, without another backward glance, he ascended the stairs.

I stood there, dumbfounded, my heart pounding uncontrollably.

"Hehe, Mom, I told you! He's just a big softie underneath!"

"His words sound so harsh, but his actions are louder than anyone's. He wasn't reading a single word in his study just now; he was totally eavesdropping on us! The second he heard you being bullied, he rushed right out!"

"He's blushing! Definitely blushing!"

The early pregnancy symptoms were tormenting me.

I had planned to tough it out, but Dominic turned out to be even more anxious than me.

The next morning, he practically dragged me out of bed and insisted on taking me to his private hospital for a prenatal check-up.

"I'm not going, I'm fine," I protested, struggling.

"Quiet," he commanded in an unquestionable tone. "This child isn't yours alone."

I froze. Was he... willing to accept this child?

My heart fluttered with unease the entire ride.

At the hospital, just as we stepped out of the car, we ran straight into an unexpected pair.

Jasper was meticulously supporting Seraphina, who leaned weakly into his embrace, her face pale, looking utterly fragile and helpless.

Speak of the devil.

"Elara?" Jasper froze when he saw me, then his face contorted into an expression of profound tenderness and pain.

He released Seraphina and hurried toward me.

"Elara, what are you doing here? Is he... is he treating you badly? You look so pale."

As he spoke, Seraphina immediately reddened her eyes, whimpering plaintively. "Elara, don't blame Jasper. He's just worried about you. Are you... are you okay? Mr. Thorne, he hasn't been difficult, has he?"

Her 'innocent' act made my stomach churn with nausea.

"Whether I'm fine or not is none of your concern," I replied, my voice icy.

A flash of pained surprise crossed Jasper's face. "Elara, how can you say that? I know you're still angry with me. But don't worry. I'll find a way to get you out of this mess soon."

As he spoke, he reached out to me, seemingly trying to take my arm. His hypocritical face made me want to throw up.

"Mom! Don't let him touch you! Absolutely not!"

In my mind, the Little One's voice suddenly turned shrill and terrified.

"He has a syringe in his pocket! It's full of high-dose abortion drugs! He wants to inject you with it when he grabs you, then fake an accidental miscarriage and blame everything on Dad!"

My pupils instantly constricted. I gasped, stumbling backward a large step, and bumped into a solid chest.

Dominic had appeared behind me without me noticing. One arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me securely into his embrace.

He noticed my distress. "What's wrong?" he asked, looking down at me, a hint of barely perceptible tension in his voice.

Still shaken, I couldn't utter a word, only clinging desperately to his sleeve.

Dominic looked up, his icy gaze piercing Jasper.

Jasper's hand, still suspended in mid-air, froze awkwardly.

"Mr. Hayes," Dominic began, each word laced with ice, "extending your hand so far, are you trying to interfere with my family affairs?"

Jasper's face instantly turned ashen.

"Mr. Thorne, you misunderstand, I was just concerned for Elara, she looked unwell."

"Concern?" Dominic scoffed. "My wife's well-being is not a matter for strangers to concern themselves with."

He wrapped his arm around me and turned to leave. Just as he brushed past Jasper, he paused, speaking in a voice only the three of us could hear:

"Jasper, control your hands. Next time, I won't hesitate to cut them off for you."

The sheer menace in his voice made even me shiver.

My body was still trembling even after we stepped into the elevator.

Dominic didn't say anything, only pulling me closer.

"Whoa! Dad's so cool! Total boyfriend material!"

"Mom, did you see? That scumbag Jasper's face went completely green! Serves him right! Mess with my mom, and you're dead!"

The Montgomery family hosted a dinner, claiming it was to mend fences.

Mrs. Montgomery's voice on the phone had been dripping with sincerity, saying she knew she was wrong, and Seraphina knew too, begging me for a chance to make amends.

Dominic answered the call. I thought he'd refuse, just like last time. But to my surprise, he said. "Fine, we'll be there on time."

I looked at him, puzzled. He only said. "Some things need to be settled face-to-face."

I understood then; he wanted to stand up for me. But I never imagined this so-called family dinner was actually a meticulously prepared grave for me.

In the dining room, the Montgomery family was effusively welcoming, more than ever before.

Mr. Montgomery clapped Dominic on the shoulder, calling him 'good son-in-law' repeatedly.

Arthur Montgomery also came over, feigning friendliness, to offer a toast, but his hypocritical eyes kept darting to my stomach.

I just felt sick.

After a few rounds of drinks, Mrs. Montgomery herself carried a bowl of soup to me.

"Elara, dear, this is a calming soup I personally made for you. Drink it while it's warm. I was wrong before, please don't take it to heart." She smiled with such maternal affection, as if I were her own daughter.

I stared at the dark, murky liquid in the bowl, a sinister premonition washing over me.

"Don't drink it! Mom! It's abortion poison! A hundred times stronger than what Jasper prepared last time!"

The Little One's frantic scream drilled into my brain like an electric drill.

"They're in league with Jasper! They want you to drink it in front of everyone, then pin the murder of the Montgomery grandchild on you and Dad! They're insane!"

My hands and feet instantly went cold. I snapped my head up, my gaze sweeping past Mrs. Montgomery's hypocritical face, to an unfolding scene nearby.

Seraphina and Jasper stood side-by-side at the top of the stairs on the second floor. She leaned against the railing, looking down at me with a condescending, utterly venomous smile.

In that instant, everything clicked. It was a death trap. A no-win situation.

Either I drank this poisoned soup and both the baby and I perished. Or, even if I avoided the soup, they'd force me to the stairs under some other pretext, and Seraphina would 'accidentally' push me down, leading to the same outcome.

They had calculated every move. Today, I was trapped, unable to escape.

All eyes were on me. Mrs. Montgomery still gently urged. "Elara, why aren't you drinking? It's getting cold."

Upstairs, Jasper watched me with an expectant, amused gaze.

Dominic seemed to sense something, beginning to rise. But it was too late.

I looked at the soup, then at that despicable pair by the stairs.

The last shred of illusion I held for this family shattered completely. Fine. If you want my life so badly, then I'll give it to you.

Under everyone's shocked gazes, I picked up the bowl. Then I whirled and flung the scalding contents straight into the face of Jasper, who stood nearest.

Amid his raw scream, I didn't pause. I used every ounce of strength I had, charging like a madwoman towards the stairs.

Seraphina's triumphant smile hadn't yet dissolved before she saw me barreling toward her like a wrecking ball.

She shrieked in terror, instinctively trying to push me away. But I wasn't aiming for her at all.

Just one step from her, I pivoted. I threw my full weight, not at her, but against the unforgiving wooden banister.

Then I fell.

The world spun. Excruciating pain ripped through my entire body.

With my last bit of strength, I fiercely shielded my belly.

Blood spread beneath me, staining my white gown crimson.

Before consciousness completely faded, I saw the horrified faces of the Montgomery family, the ashen lips of Seraphina and Jasper, and Dominic rushing towards me, his face a mask of agony.

I looked at them, my heart utterly calm.

This life, I'm giving it back to you.

From now on, we owe each other nothing.