Roxanne’s heart pounded heavily against her ribs as she pushed the heavy door of her office open and stepped inside. She pressed her back against the smooth wood, letting out a trembling breath as she placed both palms over her lower stomach.
Standing in the sudden stillness, the board chairman’s harsh demand echoed relentlessly through her mind: I was really hoping you would have said that you plan to marry Roxanne and give her and your child your last name.
Her thoughts raced out of control as she forced herself to step away from the door. Marriage. The mere word sent a sharp spike of anxiety through her chest.
She walked over to her desk, pulled out her executive chair, and sank into the soft cushions. Her pulse thudded so loudly in her ears that it completely drowned out the steady hum of the air conditioner overhead.
"I cannot do it," Roxanne murmured into the empty room, her voice barely a breath.
She leaned back, resting her head against the headrest as a wave of doubt washed over her. What if history repeats itself? What if this turns into another nightmare like Christian?
She closed her eyes, forcing herself to take a slow breath. No, she reasoned internally, shaking her head. Christian was toxic and cruel. Richard is completely different from him. I can trust Richard.
She leaned forward, resting her elbows against the cool glass surface of her desk and propping her chin on her hands. "Richard is not the real issue here. His mother is," she whispered into the quiet space. "Though Henry and Pamela have been so warm and supportive."
She brought one hand down, gently resting her palm over her belly again. A soft warmth spread beneath her fingers, grounding her. "I refuse to let you be born into a family environment where you are treated like an unwanted intruder. I could never forgive myself for that," she said, her voice trembling with raw emotion.
Roxanne leaned back again, staring up at the white ceiling. "I cannot marry Richard. Not like this," she whispered, the words tasting bitter on her tongue. "It is simply the wrong choice right now." She paused, her mind spinning in circles. Then why does a part of me desperately wish it felt right?
Taking a deep breath to clear the fog from her head, she squared her shoulders. "I need to focus strictly on work," she told herself, shaking her head to dispel the dilemma.
She had barely reached for her computer mouse when her phone buzzed loudly against the desk, vibrating with an incoming call. Theodore’s name flashed bright across the screen. Roxanne quickly swiped to answer and tapped the speaker icon.
"Theo?" she asked, leaning over the phone as the line connected.
"Hello, Roxanne," Theodore’s steady voice came through the speaker. "I managed to get all the information you asked for."
Roxanne’s heart skipped a sharp beat, her posture straightening instantly. "Really? I am listening."
"I just emailed you the full summary," Theodore explained. "There is zero record of Cara ever being admitted or examined at any of those medical centers. And as for Saints Laboratory, the facility is either entirely fake or operating without a valid license."
"Oh, my God," Roxanne breathed out, a surge of pure shock rushing through her veins.
"Mind you, I wanted to be extra thorough," Theodore added over the line. "To be ten thousand percent certain, it would be ideal to get hands on the hard copies she presented to you."
Roxanne nodded to the empty room. "I understand, but I am not sure I can get those documents right now," she said smoothly. "Besides, I doubt your sources are mistaken. I called one of those clinics last night, and the receptionist confirmed they do not even process paternity testing at that facility."
"That would be Cardinal Hospital," Theodore confirmed. "And even their network partners have no record of her."
"So that clears up any remaining doubt," Roxanne said, a weight lifting from her chest as she leaned back into her chair. "Cara fabricated the entire story."
"That is the exact conclusion the data points to," Theodore agreed. He paused for a moment before his tone softened. "I also saw the news alerts online about your pregnancy."
Roxanne’s shoulders sagged, a dull ache settling behind her eyes. "Richard’s brother decided to leak the news. He decided to use my baby as a weapon against him," she admitted, her tone heavy with quiet pain.
A brief silence hung on the line before Theodore spoke again. "How are you holding up through all of this?"
Roxanne let out a long, weary breath, rubbing her forehead. "Honestly? I feel completely overwhelmed," she confessed, letting her guard down. "I have not had a single calm moment to enjoy being back with Richard, nor have I had space to process this pregnancy. Everything is coming at me at once. The office drama, Cara’s lies, and Margaret making every single day a trial."
"You are carrying a child now, Roxanne, and your peace comes first," Theodore said firmly, his voice filled with protective care. "Do not let anyone force you into a lifetime of feeling like you have to constantly prove your worth. You are amazing, and anyone who fails to recognize that is not worth your time."
Roxanne smiled softly, feeling a rare sense of comfort. "I know, Theo. Thank you so much for the reminder. I will keep that close to heart."
"Alright. We will speak again soon," Theodore replied. "I am always a phone call away if you need anything."
"Thank you," Roxanne said softly before the line went quiet. She stared at the screen for a moment as the call ended, absorbing his words.
"He is entirely right," she murmured to herself, her resolve solidifying. "I am not going to spend my life auditioning for acceptance."
With renewed energy, she opened the attached files Theodore had sent. She scanned the clear evidence on her screen, a spark of determination lighting up her eyes as a subtle smirk touched her lips.
"Now that we have solid proof," she said softly, her eyes narrowing as she tapped her desk, "it is time to make an important call."
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