Chapter 6: Secrets Unravel

The next morning, I was woken by my ringtone.

No idea who was calling.

Half asleep, I reached for my phone, but couldn’t get it.

“Babe, keep sleeping.”

Someone gently patted my back.

I was really sleepy, so I rolled over in his arms and slept like a log.

When I woke up again, I opened my eyes and found a pair of pitch-black eyes staring at me.

Derek was looking at me, his gaze different from usual.

Normally, when he woke up, his eyes were either full of desire or gentle.

But today…

It sent a chill down my spine.

“Derek?” I tugged his sleeve, nervous.

What was with him?

Derek was holding my phone.

He must’ve answered my morning call.

Was it about the call?

I racked my brain—who could’ve called me?

Besides telemarketers, my dad, and the housekeeper, no one.

None of them would make Derek angry.

So what was it?

He twirled a strand of my hair around his finger, voice hoarse: “Babe, are you hiding something from me?”

I shook my head instinctively. “What?”

He leaned in, gently lifting my chin.

“Then tell me—what’s this appointment for a check-up and abortion in your calendar?”

His words felt like ice cubes down my back, and I caught my breath, the whole world narrowing to his dark stare and the sick, metallic taste of fear blooming on my tongue. The phone in his hand glowed with my secrets, and the silence between us stretched, heavy as lead. I opened my mouth, but the words caught in my throat—because this time, the truth might actually ruin everything.