"Who is responsible for it?" he asked, his voice hard.
Amelia looked up at him, confused. Why was he asking her such a question?
"When I return," he continued coldly, "you will tell me who is responsible for the pregnancy."
With that, he turned and walked out.
Amelia broke down immediately. Tears streamed down her face as the weight of his words settled in her heart. She hadn't expected him to react this way. She thought it had been safe—being with the king without protection. She had trusted him. Now, all she could feel was betrayal and sorrow.
She ran to her bedroom, collapsed on the bed, and cried. The walls felt like they were closing in on her.
Moments later, Maya walked in. She froze when she saw Amelia in such a state.
"Your Highness… what happened?" Maya asked, concerned. "Did Saanvi hit you?"
But Amelia didn't answer. Her cries only grew louder, her hands shaking. Maya rushed closer, touching her arm gently.
"Talk to me. What's wrong?" she begged, wiping Amelia's tears.
Amelia sniffled and finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper.
"Maya… I'm pregnant."
Maya's eyes widened. She gasped.
"What?" she exclaimed. "You mean… there's a baby inside you? You're carrying a child? A soul?" Her voice trembled, eyes fixed on Amelia's stomach.
She paused, confusion washing over her.
"Wait… the other day, when you said I was trying to touch something that wasn't mine—was this what you meant? Were you already pregnant then?" she asked, blinking rapidly, trying to process.
Amelia shook her head.
"No. You were trying to touch my private area… because you were curious where I was hurting," she explained softly.
She gripped Maya's hands.
"I swear, Maya—I never slept with another man. He was the first. He took my virginity," Amelia cried.
Maya's lips parted.
"Who? Who are you talking about?"
"The King," Amelia whispered, her voice shaking. "It was him."
Maya stared at her, shocked.
"The King?" she repeated, stunned.
Amelia nodded slowly.
Maya stood up, pacing now.
"Wait—so all those nights you were gone… when you came back smelling like him… You were with him? You two had sex?" she asked, her tone mixed with disbelief and hurt.
Amelia broke into fresh sobs.
"I'm sorry, Maya. I know you must be disappointed in me. But I didn't have a choice. I tried talking to him—he wouldn't listen. Please forgive me," she pleaded, pressing her palms together.
Maya took a deep breath, her voice gentle.
"Your Highness, I'm not mad. I understand. I'm just… surprised. That's all." She offered a small, shaky smile.
"What did you say when he asked who was responsible for the pregnancy?" she asked next.
"I couldn't speak. I was in shock. He broke the news like it was nothing and expected me to respond," Amelia said.
She wiped her tears and looked into Maya's eyes.
"I swear, Maya—I never slept with anyone else. I've never left this palace. You're my witness."
Maya nodded and wrapped an arm around her.
"Please stop crying. Your baby doesn't deserve this sadness. And the King? He's probably just messing with you."
"You think so?" Amelia whispered.
"Yes. He wouldn't abandon his own child. He was probably just teasing—being dramatic." Maya assured her, holding her close until her tears calmed.
Meanwhile, the King—Henderson—rushed to a hotel, alone, without his guards. Omega stood waiting for him outside.
"You called. You said it was urgent," Henderson said.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please follow me," Omega replied.
They entered the elevator and went up to a quiet room. Inside, a woman sat on the couch.
"What's this all about?" Henderson asked, glancing at her.
"It's about the past. I told you before—Amelia isn't Grayson's daughter," Omega said.
"Get to the point," Henderson ordered, calm but firm.
"Ms. Miriam here has shared everything. She's confident Amelia isn't Grayson's child," Omega explained.
"What evidence do you have?" Henderson asked.
"There are many people who know the truth. They're just afraid to speak. But… we have a tape," Omega revealed.
"Play it," Henderson demanded.
Omega opened his laptop and played the recording. Miriam's voice filled the room. Every word she had said in confidence was captured. She hadn't known there were hidden cameras in her home.
As Henderson listened, he was shaken. His eyes welled with tears. The truth hit him hard. He quietly excused himself to the washroom, leaned against the cold wall, and cried. He punched the wall several times in frustration and shame.
He had turned Amelia into a prisoner, a slave to his revenge. He had taken her innocence.
After splashing water on his face, he returned to the room.
"I'm sorry I didn't listen sooner," he said hoarsely. "I hurt her so much. I doubt she'll forgive me."
"She's kind," Miriam said. "She's soft-hearted. She will forgive you."
He nodded slowly.
"Thank God I didn't harm the child. If I had… he might have returned one day to take revenge," Henderson whispered to himself. "I've stained my hands in the name of revenge."
"How can I repay you, Ms. Miriam?" he asked.
"Do what's right. That's all I want," she replied, bowing.
Later, Henderson arranged for a driver to take Miriam home. He also rented her a comfortable apartment. Omega, pleased with how things had turned out, left the hotel with him.
"What can I offer you in return?" Henderson asked Omega.
"Nothing, my lord," Omega replied with a smile.
Back at the palace, Henderson went straight to his private garden.
"Mom, Dad… I've sinned," he whispered. "If this were someone else, I would have sentenced them to death. I thought she was the enemy. But she wasn't. Forgive me."
He drank from a bottle of whiskey, trying to numb the guilt.
Omega joined him and took the bottle from his hand.
"Don't drown yourself in this. It won't fix anything," he warned.
"I'm not drunk. Take me to her room. Please," Henderson said.
"In this state?"
"Yes. I need to talk to her," he insisted.
Omega nodded and led him to Amelia's room. Henderson didn't bother knocking. He opened the door and walked in.
Amelia opened her eyes and sat up, startled.
"My Lord," she greeted softly, confused by his silence.
He stared at her—at the small roundness of her belly. She shifted, uncomfortable.
He sat on her bed and patted the space beside him.
"Please… sit," he murmured.
She obeyed.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, voice gentler than she'd ever heard.
"I'm okay…" she whispered.
"About the pregnancy… I swear, I didn't sleep with anyone else. You're the only one who's touched me," she said, tears forming again.
He leaned forward and gently wiped her tears.
"I know. I was only testing you. I know you'd never do such a thing," he said, caressing her cheek. "I'm responsible. That baby is my blood—my first. I won't let you go through this alone."
He placed his hand on her belly. She covered it with hers. They lay back down on the bed.
He kissed her neck gently, rubbing her belly.
"Did you drink?" she asked, noticing the scent.
"Yes," he admitted.
"Why?"
"Because I finally saw the truth—and all the mistakes I've made."
"It's okay," she whispered. "Everything will be fine."
"Why isn't she angry with me?" he wondered silently. "I don't deserve this forgiveness."
She rested her head on his chest and soon fell asleep, a faint smile on her lips.
He lay beside her, letting himself fall into sleep too.
The next morning, Henderson woke first. He gazed at her face, sleeping peacefully. He kissed her gently before sneaking out.
After a quick shower, he sat in his room, staring at his laptop, lost in thought.
"How do I tell her what I've just discovered? Will she forgive me like Miriam said?"
Omega entered with a folder.
"You came early," Henderson said.
"You ordered it, Your Majesty," Omega smiled.
Henderson had forgotten.
"Did you talk to her?" Omega asked.
"Not yet. But… she's pregnant."
"That's wonderful news!" Omega exclaimed. "We must celebrate!"
"Only if she forgives me. Then… I'll be the happiest man alive," Henderson said quietly.
"She will. She's not hard like you," Omega teased.
They both laughed, sipping their coffee.