[NOT EDITED]

Katherine's POV

I winced at the pain when i felt the piece of glass piercing into my feet. I shut my eyes letting a low whimper escape past my lips

"Katherine !" I heard Ashton directly say in alarm , i opened my eyes , he was no longer on the bed and now standing right in front of me. I was about to move when he said , "Don't move !"

"You hurt your feet." He said inching closer making sure not to step over the broken pieces of the mug that is scattered around me.

He lifted me up in his arms and placed me on the bed while inspecting my feet. Once he touched it , I directly flinched.

He furrowed his eyebrows, "You should be more careful." He said meeting my eyes. My mind was going wild thinking if he had the chance to read what's on the papers or not.

"I will get the first aid kit." He added , "Stay here." With that he went out of the room.

With my heart beating so fast I directly looked around me searching for those exact papers.

When i found them laying on the bed beside me still folded , a part of me got relieved. He didn't see them.

Or did he ?

But I don't think he had the time to read what's written inside. I just hope so. He can't know like this. He can't discover it on his own. He will know that i was lying to him all this time.

I should be more careful. I am signing them and tomorrow I'll give them back to the doctor.

But i have to tell him one way or another. I can't hide this anymore. Two months is all it is left.

I can't keep lying.

But with everything happening , how could i ? He just knew his mother is alive and I can't find it in me to ruin this for him.

I pushed these thoughts to the back of my mind for the time being , i directly took the papers and placed them inside my purse again, when i heard Ashton's footsteps nearing I directly pushed the purse away , for him not to suspect anything.

He entered then came beside me , i was about to take the kit from him but he directly removed it out of my reach , he shot me a glare , "I'll do it."

He kneeled in front of me rubbing the wound with alcohol, i gritted my teeth trying to suppress my pain pressing my palms into the mattress even more.

"When will you stop being so clumsy ? " he asked while placing the bandage over my feet.

He lifted his eyes and looked at mine , i tried to search in them for something that would prove if he really did see the papers or not.

But he looks normal.

Thanks god. He didn't see them. But till when this situation would last ?

"The cup just slipped out of my hand." I said , my heart beats went back to their normal rate feeling relieved.

He shot me an amused look before standing up, "Come on lay down, i will clean this." He said.

"No it's okay , i will clean them." I said and i was about to stand up but Ashton blocked my way , he leaned closer , he kissed the tip of my noes making me smile , "I am not taking your opinion , It's an order."

His tone showed there is no room for negotiation so i did as he said and laid down on the bed as he started removing the broken pieces from the ground.

I don't know how it happened, but as i was watching him i drifted to sleep without noticing.

I woke up few minutes later when i felt arms being wrapped around me , i opened my eyes slightly, darkness welcomed me.

I shifted around in Ashton's arms to face him , his blue eyes were looking directly at me , "I didn't mean to wake you up." He whispered before his lips brushed over mine softly , "Go back to sleep."

I snuggled deeper into his embrace, my eyes still opened feeling the sleep leaving my body as my mind started recalling the events of today.

"Thank you." Ashton suddenly said , i lifted my head and looked at him confused.

"For noticing that it's her when i was so damn blind." He said answering my confusion , referring to his mother.

I shook my head. There is no need for him to thank me , "I am just so happy that you have her back."

"You have your mother , your father and soon you'll have little Chase running around." I said , his lips curved into a genuine smile.

He have them now. He is not alone like he used to be. They will be by his side. They'll help him move on.

He leaned closer if that's even possible , then pressed his forehead over mine , "And i have you." He said , each letter of these words pierced into my heart

I couldn't utter a thing after that , I don't want to lie and tell him yes.

You have me Ashton , but not for so long.

A moment of silence settled between us till he decided to break it again , "Katherine , what was written on those papers ? I saw the hospital's name on them."

My body stiffened , i bet he felt it too. I wasn't expecting him to ask about them again.

And here goes another lie.

"They're just some test reports , the doctor gave me a copy you know just in case." I said trying to not let my voice shake.

I don't know if he bought my lie or not, but he didn't argue further.

"Okay." He said ,maybe it's just me but i felt his tone changing somehow ,"Go back to sleep , it's been a long day."

True.

It's been a really long day.

Little did i know that tomorrow is going to be longer..

******

The next morning ,when we woke up , we all ate breakfast together , Me , Ashton and his mother.

She told us she needs to go back to Australia to manage everything and then come back and settle here. Ashton started to argue that he will do it , but Elizabeth didn't accept no matter how he much he insisted.

And now for sure i know where Ashton inherited his stubbornness.

But just seeing them together , arguing , talking , and laughing makes me so happy and brings this warmth into my heart.

After breakfast , Ashton had to go back to work , Elizabeth asked him to drive her to her sister's house first so she could introduce her son to them.

And me being the lazy me , after they left , i took a short nap that magically turned into a really long one.

It was afternoon when i woke up and decided to go to the doctor's clinic.

Sitting in my car seat parking in front of Ashton's company i was having a debate with myself wether i should go down and tell him before handing the papers to the doctor.

Or i should just leave it for another time. Postponing it like i am always doing.

I let out a sigh thinking of a possible way to start such a conversation.

I can't go and just tell him , Hey Ashton , you know if i gave birth to your child , there is a big risk over my life and yeah two months from now there is a 90% i am going to die.. and oh wait , i was lying to you all this time.

Ugh !

Why it have to be so difficult !

I will just go down and see him first , if i found it in me i will tell him. If not , then I'll just leave it for another time.

I tried to gather the left courage in me and went out of the car.

Taking a deep breath , i entered the building and went up toward his office.

Passing by his secretary's desk, she didn't even notice me as she was typing something , the laptop screen blocking her face.

I walked toward the office and i was about to knock when i heard Ashton's voice from inside , his angry tone made me stop.

"How the f*ck that happened ?" He said ,more like growled , i can say he is really angry.

"We don't know sir." A man said , i bet he is shitting his pants by now , "But we think his father was able to get him out."

"I hired you to make sure everything will go right !" He snapped again , "Do you at least know where he is now ?"

"No." the other man said , his voice low.

"F*ck !" Ashton said , "You better find him, do you understand !"

Realizing the fact that i am eavesdropping , i directly knocked on the door and then opened it.

Ashton's eyes snapped toward my direction , he rubbed his jaw furiously. Just from a look into his eyes , i can say he that he is not just angry , he is fuming.

I wonder what happened.

"Get out." He said looking at the men in front of him , "Call me when you find something."

The man nodded and went out immediately. I directly walked closer toward him , placing my hand over his tensed arm , "What's wrong ?" I asked feeling slightly worried.

His jaw ticked ,he kept silent for few seconds, "Caleb." He said , one name to explain all his anger. "He is out of jail."

My eyes brows furrowed , "What ? How ?"

What the hell.

"His father have some connections , so with a couple of thousand dollars he was able to get him out." He said , he let out a frustrated breath and walked toward his desk.

"I am not letting him get out of it like this !" He said raising his voice. Always talking about Caleb gets him tensed.

"I am going to find him." He said , "They didn't make him pay but i will."

I didn't like his tone , the promise of vengeance in it made me more worried , "Ashton don't do anything. Please just stay out of this."

He shook his head , he won't listen to me.

I walked closer toward him, "Please Ashton ! Don't do this , don't bother yourself with him.. just forget it, forget about him."

"Don't f*cking tell me what to do !" He growled , "I am not backing off." He said slamming his hand over the table making me flinch.

I heard him let out a sigh before walking from behind the desk toward me , he cupped my face with his hands , "I am sorry." He said , his tone soft , opposite to what it was moments before.

"I am sorry for snapping at you like this." He added , his hand went toward my waist pulling me closer toward him.

"It's just the thought that he hurt you , he hurt Alex yet he is out there not getting punished , it drives me crazy." He said.

"But i am afraid you would get hurt. What if what happened to Alex would happen to you , i would definitely lose my mind." I said , the thought of Ashton getting hurt drives me insane.

"Nothing will happen to me , i promise." He said , "From tomorrow on i will have people watching over you when i am not around , I am afraid he would come to you again when i am at work or anything."

I nodded , he had a point. A part of me is still afraid of Caleb and of what he may do, of what he is capable of doing.

"Why you came here ? Is there something wrong ?" He asked and then when I remembered why i actually came here.

And for sure after hearing all this , no way in hell i am not telling him.

"Umm nothing." I said hesitantly ,"I just get bored."

"You can't stay away from me , can you ?" He said, a playful smirk on his lips.

I smiled and nodded, "I definitely can't."

He leaned closer taking my lips with his , he kissed me making me forget about it all for a moment. About all the obstacles we're facing. About all the drama , about all the losses and tragedies, about the past and about the future.

Everything seem to fade when his lips locks with mine , when he hold me in his hands , i seem to let it all go.

Even after all this time , his presence, his touch , still give me this feeling.

A feeling I don't think words alone can explain.

When we pulled apart , his face was so close , a smile crawled to my lips as my hand went and with my thumb i tried to remove the lipstick my kiss left from over his mouth.

He chuckled and kissed my finger. "How can you change my mood this fast ?" He said amused.

I cleared my throat , "I am just pretty awesome." I said pulling a confident face.

He chuckled and shook his head , "Okay you go back to your work now and i will leave."

He frowned , "Come on , come on." I said shoving him toward his desk.

"Finish your work and try to come early today." I said because lately we're not spending much time together. Work is getting him so busy.

He nodded , "Be careful on your way back." He said , his tone back to serious , "I think i should just drive you home , i am not comfortable with you leaving alone."

"No , you stay here and finish your work. Don't worry . Nothing is going to happen to me." I said trying to assure him. He can't drive me home. I have to pass by the hospital first.

"Okay , call me once you arrive." He said and i nodded.

Bidding my goodbye , i left the company and made my way toward the hospital, feeling really guilty for lying. I am doing it a lot lately.

When i arrived , they directly let me in , i handed the agreement papers to the doctor , he asked if i told Ashton and when i said I didn't he gave me that unsatisfied look but he didn't argue further.

He then gave me a copy to keep it with me. I should hide these really well for Ashton not to find them again.

Walking toward my car , holding the papers in one hand , i used the another to get the keys from my purse. I stopped when i couldn't find them.

When suddenly a hand touched my shoulder from the back, i jumped in my place. The papers fell from my hand as my heart started beating fast.

I tuned around and when i saw him standing there in front of me I directly took a step backward as fear rushed in my veins.

"Please liste-" he stared to say stepping forward.

"Stay away !" I said raising my voice , "Stay away from me Caleb !"

I grabbed the key in my shaking hand and directly turned around to unlock my car but couldn't, my hand was shaking , my mind recalling what happened before.

"Katherine please listen to me." He said , his words didn't register in my mind because his voice just took me back to that day.

Even standing away from him now , i still can feel his poisoned touch from before , i can feel it burning into my skin.

I closed my eyes for a second trying to calm my racing heart , trying to not let my hand shake so i can get in the car and get the hell out of here.

"I am sorry." He said , his voice low , my back still facing him , "I am so sorry , i was drunk , i would never hurt you on purpose, please believe me."

I turned around , anger and hurt rushing in my chest , "You can't hurt me and hurt the people i care about and then just come and tell me you're sorry." I said , my voice raising, the apologetic look on his face didn't affect me this time.

Even if he was drunk. That's not an excuse.

"Just stay out of my life. I am begging you Caleb , just stay out of it, you've done enough already." I said , my tone changing , my voice lowered.

The pain I felt numbed my inside.My eyes pricked with tears. I was glad he didn't say anything so I directly turned around , unlocked my car and drove far away from him.

Few minutes ticked by and that's when i realized something.

I forgot the papers on the ground.

*********

Ashton's POV

There is something wrong.

Something odd. Something bad yet I can't point it out.

This uncomfortable feeling since yesterday night is clouding my body and my mind.

Something is going to happen. I can feel it. Katherine is hiding something from me.

But what ?

The way her body tensed when i asked her about the papers, the way her voice shook as she told me that it's just some test reports , it proved that there is something wrong.

The papers looked like some kind of agreement. They're definitely not test reports.

But i decided not to argue with her till i really find what's happening. Maybe i am just imagining things.

I let out a sigh and went back to my work but that didn't last long when the office phone started ringing.

"Mr. Ryder , there is a man who wants to see you and he is saying it is really urgent." My secretary directly said.

Confused , i said , "What's his name ?"

There was a pause , i heard her talking with whoever is outside , "What's your na- .. Sir you can't go like that .. wait."

With that the door of my office was pushed open. My eyes flicked quickly to the door , I directly shot up from my seat as i saw him standing right there in front of me.

Anger blurred my vision driving me to lunge toward him. Wrenching him by his shirt , i backed him against the wall slamming his body hard , "You definitely have balls coming back here !" I growled fisting my hand ready land a punch on his jaw but he directly caught my hand.

"I am not here to fight." He said trying to free himself from my hold.

Oh but i am !

"Get the security now !" I ordered my assistant , she directly nodded and stormed away.

"Listen to me , i am not here to fight." Caleb said again , he was much calmer than i am.

"You have to listen , Katherine's health is in danger." He said clenching his jaw,his voice raising, his words startled me , "The pregnancy is killing her."

My hands involuntary loosened over his shirt.

What the f*ck he is talking about.

Katherine is okay. She is fine.

Right ?

"You're lying." I said my voice much lower. The anger started to fade , something else started to replace it.

"I wish i am !" He said raking his finger through his hair, his hand went to his pocket , he took something.

A paper.

Suddenly the security guys stormed inside , they held him from his arms making the paper drop in front of me. They started pulling him away, "Wait !" I said stopping them.

My eyes flickered to the paper laying in front of me.

My heart drops in my stomach as I recognize it as the paper i saw in Katherine's purse yesterday.

I clenched my jaw preparing myself to read whatever is inside it.

I knelt down in front the paper , tracing my fingers above the letters, making sense of each word.

Something inside me broke.

Pain , real pain , i felt it in my chest.

I wish i can say he is lying. I wish he is lying.

But No , this is her signature, this is what she is hiding, this is the truth.

The ugly truth.

"No." I whispered still not digesting the idea.

Life can't be that cruel.

My throat closed up. I didn't hear what the security guys were saying. I didn't hear what Caleb was saying.

Their voices went into oblivion as i stared at the words in front of me , the words that doesn't make sense in my mind , the words that just assure me what i always thought about before.

I knew somewhere on the way i am going to lose her.

My chest tightened , my hand curled into a fist , i slammed it above the paper. I bellowed , "NO !"

**********************************

Sorry for not updating more often like i used to, but i am really busy these days.

Once i have a free time , i will write the next chapter.

So yeah , what you all were waiting for happened , Ashton knows about Katherine's condition now *sniffs*.
Do you think he is going to accept that or not ? 🤔

Next chapter is going to be sad.

Stay tuned 😊
Love ya all ❤️