Drawn (BWWM)

Preferably

Gareth stepped into their sprawling mansion, his body heavy with exhaustion after a long flight. He didn't pause, heading straight up the grand staircase, his footsteps soft against the polished marble floors. The house was quiet, but his thoughts were anything but—he needed to see Nalia.

Upstairs in the master bedroom, his eyes swept across the luxurious space—sleek furniture, muted colors, and the soft glow from the chandelier overhead. Nalia lay against a pile of pillows, wrapped in silk sheets, lost in a book. She looked serene, but he was anything but.

"Nalia," Gareth's voice broke the silence, his words gentle but firm. "Come to bed."

She didn't look up, her brow barely furrowing. "It's only 3 in the afternoon."

His frustration simmered, and he exhaled sharply, pushing his patience. "Now, Nalia."

There was an edge to his tone that couldn't be ignored, and when he spoke again, his words cut. "Is this what you do when I'm gone? Acting like you're someone else's for the taking?"

Nalia's eyes snapped to his, a flash of anger behind them. "I didn't do anything."

"Has he been lying about you, then?" Gareth asked, his voice tight.

Her defenses went up instantly. "I didn't throw myself at him. You know I cared for him before any of this."

Gareth's expression darkened. "And what did I tell you? He never felt the same."

Nalia let out a bitter laugh. "Why does it even matter?"

"Because you're my wife," he said, his voice low, the frustration boiling over. "You can't keep holding onto feelings for him. This is our life now. We need to think about the future, especially if we're going to start a family. I won't put up with this."

"And why does he matter to you so much? Why do you care?" Nalia shot back.

Gareth's gaze softened, but his words still held weight. "Because, Nalia, I love you. I've always loved you. Marrying you was supposed to show you that. What else can I do?"

"Let me go," she said, her voice steady and sure. "Let me follow what my heart wants."

Gareth's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he held her gaze. "Nalia..."

"If you really love me," she interrupted, her tone unwavering, "then you'd let me go."

Gareth's frown deepened. "You should be grateful."

-----

Nalia stared at the pregnancy test in her hand, the positive result glaring up at her. She hadn't even had time to process it before Gareth intercepted the letter that confirmed her suspicion. His face lit up instantly, and without a second thought, he swept her off her feet, spinning her around the expansive living room. His joy filled the space, but Nalia's mind was elsewhere.

Later, she lay back on their bed, her eyes unfocused, lost in the swirling thoughts that occupied her mind. Gareth, noticing her distant mood, spoke up, concern threading through his voice. "You don't seem as excited as I thought you'd be."

Nalia hesitated, her voice soft. "I'm just... thinking through all our options."

Gareth didn't waver. "There's no need to think. We're keeping it."

She turned to him, her voice edged with uncertainty. "Gareth, there's a lot we need to work on. Between us. We can't just ignore that and bring a child into this."

He looked at her, his expression darkening. "Are you considering an abortion?"

Nalia rolled her eyes, biting back the urge to answer. The silence between them thickened.

Gareth leaned closer, his voice softer but insistent. "You're glowing, Nalia. You're carrying our child. But I need you to meet me halfway, to work on this with me."

A bitter laugh slipped from her lips. "You don't actually believe that."

"I do," Gareth said firmly, his eyes locking onto hers, his words laced with sincerity. "This could be the turning point for us."

Then, bitterness crept into his tone. "Who else would want you, Nalia? Do you really think Kyle would, after he rejected you?"

Her jaw tightened. "Why do you care so much about him? Kyle hates you. You know that."

Gareth's face twisted with resentment. "He does. But this isn't about him. It's about us. We're about to have a child."

Nalia's voice was quiet, but her words carried a weight that made Gareth's stomach drop. "...and maybe our child will never know you if I decide to go through with it."

His eyes narrowed, his voice sharpening. "Are you threatening me? Where would you go, Nalia? How would you raise our child on your own?"

She scoffed, disbelief in her voice. "You're unbelievable."

Gareth's voice grew colder, his control slipping but still intact. "I make the rules in this house, Nalia. You've always known that."

----

"That's a very pretty picture."

Nalia flinched, the unexpected voice breaking the silence of the kitchen. She hadn't heard Gareth come in. Before she could react, he was behind her, his body pressing firmly against hers, trapping her between the oven and his chest. The warmth of his breath brushed her neck, his hands sliding along her hips as he leaned into her, his presence both invasive and suffocating.

"Barefoot in the kitchen and pregnant," he murmured with a smirk, the teasing tone in his voice unmistakable. "I'll have to get you like this again, after the baby comes."

Her jaw tightened as she stared straight ahead, gripping the countertop for support. "Over my dead body," she shot back, her voice laced with irritation.

Gareth chuckled, clearly unbothered by her resistance. "What's gotten your panties in a twist today?"

She turned her head slightly, frowning, confused by his sudden shift. "What are you even talking about?"

He let out a sharp cough, his tone hardening. "You're acting like a bitch, love. The baby doesn't need that kind of negativity."

Nalia's eyes narrowed, anger flaring inside her. She exhaled sharply, trying to keep her temper in check. "Can't you just let me be? I'm really not in the mood for this crap today."

But Gareth didn't back off, his body still pressed against hers, a smug smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You can't keep pushing me away, Nalia."