Seven Years in the Shadows

1
After seven secret years, I was pregnant with the Will family heir. But Graham still hadnt married mebecause I was the citys shame: an illegitimate daughter.
For me, hed defied his family, surrendered 40% of his controlling stake, and taken a reckless wager: to earn the company ten billion dollars before our child was born.
The impossible deal shocked everyone. They all believed his love was absolute.
At six months, I went to his office with my ultrasound. Outside, I saw him hand a major client to his biggest rival.
His friend Leo confronted him. Noras due soon, and youre giving away a billion-dollar deal? Youll lose the wageryoull never marry her!
After a silence, Grahams voice cut clear. Win or lose, Im still the Will heir. Whats there to fear? Shell stay by my side. Who would dare speak against her?
His tone hardened. But Rosalind was there for me during Noras three years abroad. She nearly died for me. The only reason she survives the Vance family vipers nest is the marriage contract I gave her.
If I actually win this wager what happens to Rosalind?
Rosalind Vance. My half-sister. The deepest shadow of my life.
I stared at the ultrasound, the words perfectly healthy blurring. After a moment, I raised my hand and knocked.

Leo Grant, Grahams best friend, saw me and immediately broke into a warm smile.
Nora! Youre here! Come on in, sit down. How was the check-up?
Graham, Im serious, man, he said, turning to my fianc. Noras getting bigger by the day, and you know every eye in the city is on you two. You need to hurry up! I heard that Caden Hayes has been asking around about Nora lately.
Leo shot Graham a meaningful look. Youve gotta feel the heat, man. Pay attention, you hear me?
I could tell Leo was trying to nudge Graham, to remind him what was at stake. In this treacherous world of ours, there werent many people who genuinely wished me well. He was one of them.
I held my breath, waiting for Grahams reaction.
Is that so?
Those three words, delivered so lightly, were like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head.
Thats it?
Seven years ago, or even just before I went abroad, the mere mention of another man near me would have sent him into a jealous fit.
Ill never forget the time hed jumped in front of me to fend off a group of thugs. Hed gotten bruised and cut, but hed still looked at me with that stubborn intensity and said, Nora Lane, the only man who stands by your side is me.
It wasn't until much later that I learned those thugs never bothered me again because Caden Hayes had quietly dealt with them.
But at that moment, Graham had been the only light in my gray world.
Three years abroad, and everything had changed.
The name Rosalind, spoken so easily from his lips, felt like a slap across my face, shattering every fantasy Id ever held.
Leo noticed the change in my expression and quickly tried to smooth things over. Nora, how were the results?
Everythings fine.
I handed the report to Graham, adding an explanation. Caden and I are old friends. He looked out for me a lot when I was overseas.
Graham just waved it off.
I know. My Nora only has room in her heart for me. Whats a Caden Hayes to worry about?
I forced a smile, unable to hide the bitterness. In our relationship, Graham had always been supremely confident.
I looked at him, finally asking the question that had been swirling in my mind for weeks. How is the project coming along?
The baby is already six months.
Graham rubbed his temples, a perfectly measured look of apology on his face.
Nora, Im sorry. This time I might have to disappoint you again.
Ill try harder next time, okay?
He reached for my hand, but I shifted slightly, and his fingers brushed against empty air.
If I hadnt overheard, who would have guessed that this project, already in the bag, was one he had deliberately let slip away?
How many next times had there been in these seven years?
It wasn't the first time he'd had to fight for us. Hed won the bid for a fiercely contested piece of land on the east side just so the family would allow him to fly overseas to see me for a single day. Hed secured a major international subsidiary just to get their nod of approval for us to officially date.
Every step forward was treated like a gift from the gods. Each one required a monumental effort from him and my boundless gratitude.
Yet, between him and Rosalind, these insurmountable obstacles seemed to never exist. Their engagement was public knowledge, a smooth and celebrated affair.
The year I first went abroad, I had secretly rejoiced, thinking the Vance daughter everyone was talking about was me.
Was it all wrong simply because I was an illegitimate child, a secret not meant for the light of day?
If this project fails, Ill likely lose the shares I currently hold in the company. His eyes held a pleading look, a strategic retreat. Nora, if I have nothing left, you wont leave me, will you?
There he was again, using my guilt and my sympathy to chain me to him.
No, I heard myself say, my voice flat.
Graham breathed a sigh of relief, his tone firming up again. Dont worry. Ill keep fighting the family for the next opportunity.
His gaze fell to my stomach.
It just means youll have to go through this alone for a little while. Youll have to deliver our baby first.
I lowered my eyes, hiding the storm of emotions inside me. Just like countless times before, I obediently agreed. Okay. I know. I dont mind.
I was never the type to press for answers or make a scene.
Just then, my phone rang. It was my father.
Come home for dinner tonight. Its your sister Rosalinds birthday. The whole family will be here. You have to come.
After hanging up, I told Graham I had to go. I couldnt stand to be in that room a moment longer.
But for some reason, I didnt leave immediately.
From inside the office, I heard Grahams voice again.
Have that pink diamond from the auction house prepared. Make sure its wrapped beautifully and send it over to the Vances.
Leo exploded.
Are you fucking serious? Youre really going through with marrying Rosalind Vance? A pink diamond? What about Nora and the baby? You know those two sisters are like fire and ice!
If Nora cant handle it and runs off, lets see how much you regret it then!
My heart stopped.
Then came Grahams voice, cold and sharp enough to cut through bone.
Once the baby is born, shell be tied to me. With that connection, even with Rosalind in the picture, Nora will never leave.
Besides, its a sham marriage. What does it matter? Nora isnt the type to make a fuss.
I leaned against the wall, slowly pulling myself upright. A faint, sharp pain twisted in my abdomen, making it hard to breathe. I placed a hand over the warmth of my belly.
And then, a single, crystal-clear thought cut through all my carefully constructed nonchalance.
This baby I couldnt keep it.
My steps were unsteady as I arrived at the Vance family home.
Nora, youre here! Oh, let me see, has the baby been behaving? Rosalind greeted me with a cloying sweetness, her hand reaching for my stomach.
Her circle of socialite friends immediately swarmed around us like a flock of chattering birds.
Oh, Rosalind, this baby will definitely be closest to you! Itll probably say mama to you first!
Exactly! Graham even gave Rosalind the marriage contract. Shes the official Mrs. Will. Who else would the baby be close to?
Their words confirmed everything I had overheard. There really was a marriage contract.
Then, another voice dropped a bombshell.
And did you hear? I think Rosalind saved Grahams life once! Its such a shame her health is so poor. The doctors say itll be very difficult for her to have children of her own. So tragic.
Wait could it be that this Nora girl, brought back from the countryside and getting pregnant out of wedlock was just meant to be a surrogate for Rosalind?
That one sentence opened the floodgates of all my doubts.
So, this child in my belly what was it to them?
A gift prepared for Rosalind?
An icy chill shot through my body, and I felt frozen to the spot.
Just then, Graham arrived.
His assistant followed, carrying a gift box containing a pink diamond the size of a small fist.
Gasps of awe filled the room.
Grahams voice was calm. Happy birthday, Rosalind.
What a gift.
I looked down at the delicate necklace I was wearing. It also had a pink diamond pendant, but it was no bigger than a grain of rice. It was an anniversary gift from him a few weeks ago.
It suits you perfectly, he had said.
So, in his heart, only Rosalind was worthy of a priceless treasure.
One of the girls beside Rosalind laughed openly. Thats a nice little thing around Noras neck, but the size
Well, its not surprising. Given her background, an illegitimate girl is lucky to wear a diamond at all.
Illegitimate. Again.
If it hadnt been for Rosalinds mother, crashing my own mothers wedding with a baby in her arms, my mother never would have suffered the shock that led to her dying in childbirth. I never would have been born without a mother.
For seventeen years, I was the wild child living with my grandmother, never once experiencing the warmth or privilege of the Vance family. How dare they mock me with my own scars?
Graham noticed my pale face and came over, pulling a translucent green jade bracelet from his pocket.
It was my grandmothers. For good luck and protection. He lowered his voice. Dont listen to them. Theres nothing between Rosalind and me. I only see her as a sister.
A sister? Right.
I was too exhausted to even question him. I pulled my hand away. Im a little tired. Im going upstairs to rest.
My room opened onto a garden, and I could hear Leo and a few of Graham's other friends confronting Rosalind below.
Rosalind, dont you get it? Grahams feelings for you are just a mix of pity and using your familys connections.
Everyone in the city knows who he really loves! Its Nora!
Are you that desperate? Nora, your sister, is about to give birth! Have some decency!
The argument grew heated. Suddenly, Grahams voice cut through, fiercely defending Rosalind.
Thats enough! Who said no one wants Rosalind?
In that instant, any shred of hope I had left crumbled to dust. My vision blurred with tears as I instinctively unlocked my phone.
Hello, Doctor? I need to schedule a procedure.
I was so thin that even after the procedure, no one could tell Id lost the baby.
When I stumbled out of the recovery room, I ran right into Caden Hayes. He didnt seem to notice anything was different.
Nora? He walked over. What are you doing here? You look terrible.
I managed a weak smile and, without a second of hesitation, told him the truth.
An abortion.
Cadens pupils contracted, a flash of fury crossing his face before he suppressed it.
You fool. I told you Graham Will was no good.
I smiled faintly. You knew about him and Rosalind, didnt you?
Caden looked away, flustered. I heard whispers, back when you were overseas. But I didnt think you would have believed me even if I told you.
He was right.
Back then, blinded by seven years of love, I would have automatically blocked out anything negative about Graham.
Nora, I wont tell anyone about this, Caden said as I was leaving. He grabbed my arm. What I asked you seven years ago are you willing to reconsider?
For a moment, the man standing before me wasn't the flashy, spoiled heir I knew. He was the sun-drenched boy from our small town who would ride his bike for ten miles in the summer heat just to buy me a milk tea.
But I didnt answer.
Right now, I didn't feel I had the right.
That night, I didn't go back to the apartment I shared with Graham. I went to the Vance house instead.
As I passed the study, I overheard Rosalind and her mother plotting.
We have to strike before that baby is born! We cant let her use the child to gain power, just like we dealt with her short-lived mother
Rosalind, you cant hesitate any longer!
I froze outside the door, my limbs weak. I was powerless against them, especially now that Rosalind held a position in the family company.
My only comfort was that Graham was leaving on a business trip soon. I could recover in peace at our apartment.
Three months later, Graham returned. His eyes instinctively went to my stomach, which should have been round and full.
You look like youve lost weight. Not eating well?
I quietly agreed.
He didnt press the issue, instead pushing several expensive gift boxes toward me.
I had no interest in opening them. They would be the usual jewels and limited-edition handbagsopulent but thoughtless. He had never once tried to understand what I truly wanted.
Thank you. Theyre beautiful.
Graham sat down, his voice serious. Nora, theres something you need to know.
The Vance family is a threat to the baby now, and so is my own family. This is the first Will grandchild, after all.
Ive arranged a villa for you overseas. You can go there and wait for the birth in peace. Once the baby is born safely, Ill bring you back.
I listened silently, my heart numb. It was as if he were confirming my darkest fears.
Then, he delivered the final blow.
Theres one other thing. The company is putting a lot of pressure on me regarding Rosalind.
She needs the title of Mrs. Will to secure her position on the board. So, I agreed well have a wedding soon.
He quickly added, his voice urgent, Its just an act! Its for show. We wont file any legal papers.
Once this all blows over, Ill give you everything you deserve.
Nora, you understand, dont you? Its just a strategic move.
I looked up, trying to find a trace of love in his eyes. All I saw was my own reflection, as if I were the only person in his world. But why did the words from someone who claimed to love me cut so deep?
Okay. Ill do whatever you say.
My consent clearly relieved him. Nora, I knew youd understand! Were going to be the happiest family of three!
That night, while Graham was in the shower, I lay in bed and composed a text.
[Caden, about your offer Ive thought about it. Lets meet and talk.]
The next morning, I woke to a heavy sense of pressure.
I opened my eyes to see Graham standing over me, holding my phone.
The screen was on, displaying my text exchange with Caden.
I didnt know how much hed seen. I had never contacted Caden before, so that one message was it. I didnt know what he might have replied. I had fallen asleep right after sending it, never imagining Graham would decide to check my phone.
His face was a thundercloud.
Nora, when did you start talking to Caden Hayes?
And what are these pills? Why were you at the OB-GYN clinic?

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