Ties of Betrayal

The Unseen consequences

The days after Victoria’s disastrous birthday night were a whirlwind of work, meetings, and attempting to put her mind at ease. But no matter how much she tried to focus on her job, a growing sense of unease settled in her chest. She couldn't quite explain it—something felt off.

It wasn’t until she began to feel overwhelming exhaustion, coupled with bouts of nausea that the realization struck her. One afternoon, as she sat at her desk feeling particularly queasy, it hit her like a thunderbolt.

I’m late.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing. She quickly pulled up her calendar on her phone, counting the days. Victoria’s hand trembled as she realized she was nearly two weeks late.

No, it can’t be… she thought, panic rising within her. But deep down, she knew. She knew exactly when it had happened—the night of her birthday, the night she had been drugged and ended up in Alexander’s hotel room.

Her stomach twisted into knots as the implications sank in. She couldn’t stay at work, not like this. She grabbed her bag and left the office in a daze, barely hearing her colleagues as they asked if she was okay. Victoria needed to be alone, to think, to process.

Once she was home, she stared blankly at the pregnancy test in her hand. The minutes stretched into eternity as she waited for the result. When the two lines appeared, confirming her worst fear, tears filled her eyes.

I’m pregnant. The words echoed in her mind, over and over again.

What was she going to do? How was she going to tell Alexander? Would he even believe her? Would he think she had planned this, that it was some kind of trap? The thought made her heart ache, knowing that he already saw her as someone unworthy. But this—this would change everything.

Victoria felt lost, torn between the love she still held for Alexander and the reality of her situation. She didn’t know how he would react. Would he hate her even more?

She didn’t have much time to dwell on her thoughts, as her phone buzzed with a message from Mia, asking if everything was alright. But before Victoria could reply, her doorbell rang.

She opened it to find Mr. Bennett standing there, his expression unreadable but his eyes kind.

“Victoria, we need to talk,” he said, his voice soft but firm.

She stepped aside, letting him in, confusion swirling in her mind. Why was he here? And why did he look so serious?

Mr. Bennett took a seat, gesturing for her to sit as well. “I know this might come as a shock, but I’ve been keeping a close eye on my grandson, Alexander, for some time now. I wasn’t sure how to approach this, but I need to ask—did something happen between you and him the night of your birthday?”

Victoria’s heart raced, her face paling. She hadn’t expected anyone, let alone Mr. Bennett, to ask about that night. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “But it wasn’t what you think.”

Mr. Bennett nodded, his gaze gentle but serious. “I know. I know you were drugged, Victoria. And I know what happened afterward. I’ve seen how Alexander has treated women in the past, and I won’t let him destroy your life.”

Victoria felt her throat tighten, tears welling in her eyes again. “I don’t know what to do,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “I found out today…I’m pregnant.”

Mr. Bennett’s expression softened even more as he took her hand in his. “You’re not alone, Victoria. We will take care of this. You’re carrying my great-grandchild, and I won’t let Alexander run away from his responsibility. It’s time we set things right.”

Victoria looked at the old man, overwhelmed by his support. She never imagined that the man who had become her friend would now be her greatest ally. Yet here he was, standing by her side in the most difficult moment of her life.