Page 16 of Pregnant By A Rich Demon 3

I’d told a man no.

I’d refused to be manipulated, controlled, or played.

And it felt good.

It felt like freedom.

I tossed the phone onto the bed and walked to my dresser, pulling out a pair of sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt. I dressed slowly, deliberately, feeling the fabric settle against my skin like armor.

I wasn’t the same woman I’d been this morning.

I wasn’t the woman who’d walked into that clinic expecting a routine ultrasound.

I was someone new.

Someone stronger.

Someone who knew her worth.

And I wasn’t going to let anyone—not Amai, not Kaisen, not Winston, not anyone—take that away from me.

I walked to the window and looked out at the quiet street, at the houses lit up with warm light, at the world continuing on like nothing had changed.

But everything had changed.

For me, at least.

I placed my hand on my stomach, feeling the slight curve where my babies were growing.

“It’s just us now,” I whispered. “Y’all and me. And I’m going to protect y’all. No matter what.”

I didn’t know what came next.

I didn’t know how I was going to navigate the mess I’d found myself in.

But I knew one thing for certain.

I was done being a victim.

I was done being controlled.

I was done letting men make decisions for me.

From now on, I was in charge.

And anyone who didn’t like it could stay the hell away.

My phone buzzed again on the bed—Raven’s name flashing across the screen for the third time in ten minutes.

I stared at it, my jaw tight, and let it go to voicemail.

Then Saroya called.

Then Mama.

I silenced each one without answering.

I loved them. God, I loved them. But I couldn’t talk to them yet. Not until I had a plan. Not until I knew what my next move was.