The morning air in the city felt different—heavier, like the sky knew secrets Mira wasn't meant to hear. She hadn't told Adrian about the pregnancy. Not yet.
Every time she stood in his office, she felt the words stuck in her throat, too afraid of what might follow. Instead, she buried herself in work, pretending the nausea was just from stress. Pretending the pressure on her chest wasn't from fear.
"You look like hell," Amy whispered as they passed in the hallway. "Want to talk?". Mira shook her head. "No time."
Amy frowned. "Is it true you signed something for him? A contract?"
"I didn't sign anything," Mira said quickly.
Amy raised an eyebrow. "He's got you on a leash, Mira. You just don't see it."
Mira didn't answer. She couldn't. Because Amy was right—she did feel like a pet. One with golden chains and no keys.
---
Later that afternoon, Mira was organizing files when she heard raised voices from Adrian's office. His door was shut, but the walls didn't hide everything.
"…You shouldn't be here," Adrian snapped.
A colder, unfamiliar voice replied. "I have as much right as you do. Half the company is mine, whether you like it or not."
"Legally, maybe. Morally? You forfeited that when you put a body in the ground."
"Careful, brother. You wouldn't want that secret unburied."
Mira froze. A body?
---
The next day, Adrian was gone for a meeting off-site, and that's when he showed up.
He looked like Adrian, but softer around the edges. Charming in a snake-like way. His name was Julian Steele, and he introduced himself to Mira with a too-perfect smile.
"So, you're the famous assistant," he said.
Mira straightened. "I'm busy."
Julian chuckled. "Of course. He's always good at keeping his toys busy."
Her spine stiffened. "I'm not a toy."
"No? Then what are you?" he asked, stepping closer. "Because my dear brother's not known for hiring out of the kindness of his heart."
"What do you want?" she asked.
Julian leaned against her desk, eyes glinting. "I want balance. Adrian's forgotten what it means to share power. But you… you could help me remind him."
Mira's blood ran cold. "You're insane."
"Maybe," Julian smiled. "But I'm also patient. And I always collect on my debts." He left before she could respond. But his presence lingered like smoke.
---
That night, Adrian returned. Mira confronted him.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a brother?"
"Because he's irrelevant."
"He threatened you. I heard everything."
Adrian's jaw tightened. "What Julian did years ago… it's buried. But he's always wanted what's mine."
"Why was he here?"
"Because of you." Mira's heart dropped. "What?"
"He's testing me," Adrian said. "Trying to find a weakness. And you…" he stepped closer, lowering his voice, "you're the only thing I haven't been able to control completely."
She stepped back. "You're wrong."
"Am I?'' He stared at her stomach. "You've changed. Are you going to tell me why?"
Mira's lips parted—but no sound came, she wasn't ready. Not yet.
---
Over the next few days, Mira grew increasingly paranoid. Julian lingered in the building, speaking with staff, whispering into Amy's ear once in the breakroom. When Mira asked Amy what they'd discussed, her friend shrugged.
"Just business. He's funny. Less terrifying than your boss."
Mira didn't buy it. She knew Amy had grown resentful of her. And if Julian wanted to ruin Adrian, she was the easiest target.
---
The final straw came when Amy confronted her after work.
"Listen," Amy said, arms crossed. "Julian knows everything. About Room 41. About the money. About your mom. He has screenshots, texts, photos—everything."
Mira's world tilted. "You gave him my information?"
"I didn't give him anything," Amy hissed. "But he offered me ten thousand dollars to send him the pictures you once trusted me with. The ones you sent when you were desperate."
Mira's hands trembled. Her throat tightened until it hurt to swallow. Her heartbeat was so loud, she was sure Amy could hear it. Betrayal didn't just sting, it burned through her.
She stepped back, disgusted. "You'd blackmail me?"
Amy's face twisted. "You think you're better than everyone just because the billionaire chose you. But we both know you're just his plaything."
Mira slapped her. Hard.
Amy gasped, eyes wide.
"You're done," Mira said coldly.
Amy held her cheek, but there were no tears. Just venom in her stare.
"You think that makes you strong?" she sneered. "He's going to break you, Mira. And when he does, don't come crawling to me."
Mira didn't reply. There was nothing left to say to someone who had sold her soul for ten thousand dollars and a petty grudge.
"You want to leak my photos? Do it! I have nothing left to lose."
But she did. The baby. Her mother. Liam. And that terrified her more than anything Julian or Amy could threaten her with. She went home and cried herself to sleep.
The next morning, in the silence of her apartment, Mira sank into the warmth of the bed, clutching her stomach. She thought of her mother's smile, Liam's warmth, and the baby growing inside her. And then, like a slow poison, Adrian's voice echoed in her memory.
You're the only thing I haven't been able to control.
She had tried to pretend this wasn't about power. That it wasn't a game. But it was. And she was losing. A tear slipped down her cheek. One. Then two. And then the dam, she bought three bus tickets. She packed one luggage, booked a room far from the city. Somewhere quiet, where black rooms didn't exist and billionaires didn't try to own people.
She planned to run. She would leave everything behind. Take Liam and her mother and disappear. She was done playing pawn in a game she never wanted to be part of.
But Adrian would not let her go so easily. And neither would Julian.