He Left Me Pregnant and Grieving—Now He’s the One Begging - Chapter 65: Chapter 65

I took a deep breath, forcing the tremble in my hands to disappear. My face remained unreadable as I stepped out of the restroom, slipping my phone into my pocket as if nothing had happened. No one needed to know.
Keeping my expression composed, I returned to where Lorenzo and Ronan were still deep in discussion, going over strategy. Lorenzo’s sharp eyes immediately scanned my face, sensing something was off.
"What was that about?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with suspicion.
"Nothing important," I answered smoothly, unwilling to let him pry further. "I need to go back to Darius’ house. There’s something I have to get."
Ronan frowned, clearly displeased by the sudden shift. "Now? We’re in the middle of planning—"
"It’s urgent," I cut him off before he could argue further.
Lorenzo leaned back slightly, narrowing his eyes as he studied me, his suspicion deepening. "I’ll drive you," he said after a moment.
"No. I need to be alone," I replied firmly, leaving no room for negotiation. "Ronan will take me."
Lorenzo’s jaw clenched, his displeasure obvious. "I don’t like this, Valeria."
"And I don’t like you breathing near Darius’ body," I shot back coldly, making sure he knew exactly where I stood. "If you try anything while I’m gone—if you so much as look at him the wrong way—I will kill you, even if I have to chase you to hell to do it."
For a second, his lips curled into something bitter, but instead of lashing out, he sighed and raised his hands in surrender. "I vow on my name, I won’t touch Darius."
I held his gaze, making sure he meant it, before giving a single nod. "Good."
Turning to Ronan, I didn’t waste another second. "Let’s go."
The drive back to Darius’ house was quiet, the silence thick with unspoken questions. Ronan glanced at me a few times, clearly trying to read my mood before finally speaking.
"You gonna tell me what’s so urgent?"
"No," I replied simply, unwilling to offer an explanation. "Just drop me off and go back to the hospital. Guard Darius."
His frown deepened, "I should stay with you—"
"No," I cut in, my tone leaving no room for argument. "I need rest. I want to be alone."
He exhaled sharply, reluctant but unwilling to push further. "Fine. But I’m leaving twenty men here to guard you."
I forced a small smile, knowing he wouldn’t accept anything less. "Whatever makes you feel better."
As soon as he pulled up to the house, his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings before unlocking the doors. "Call me if anything happens."
"I will," I lied effortlessly.
The moment he drove off, I sprang into action, wasting no time.
There was no room for hesitation. No second thoughts.
I changed into black from head to toe—fitted shirt, combat pants, sturdy boots. A tactical belt wrapped securely around my waist, each slot filled with weapons I might need. My gun was strapped to my thigh, knives tucked into my boots and hidden under my sleeves.
Tonight, someone was going to die.
And it sure as hell wasn’t going to be me.
Pulling out my phone, I opened the location Miranda had sent me earlier.
A townhouse. Secluded. A good distance away from the city.
It was the perfect place for a trap.
A cold smirk tugged at my lips.
Miranda thought she was hunting me? No. I was hunting her.
At the Townhouse
The building stood eerily silent as I approached. No backup. No safety net. Just me and my gun.
As soon as I stepped inside, slow clapping echoed through the dimly lit space, each deliberate clap slicing through the silence.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Miranda stood at the center of the room, arms crossed, a wicked grin playing on her painted lips.
"How brave you are," she purred, her voice dripping with mockery. "Risking your life for a child that isn’t even yours to begin with."
My eyes immediately landed on Penelope.
She was tied to a chair, her small frame slumped forward, her breathing ragged. Bruises marred her delicate skin, dried tears streaking her cheeks.
My fingers twitched toward my gun.
"Release her," I said, my voice razor-sharp.
Miranda let out a light, almost amused laugh. "Oh, Valeria… still playing the saint? Still pretending to be a mother when you’re just a replacement?"
I kept my stance firm, refusing to take the bait. "Let her go. Now."
She took a slow, calculated step forward, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement. "Or what? You’ll kill me?"
"If you touch her again, I’ll do worse than that."
She tsked, shaking her head like she found me foolish. "Do you know what’s funny? You actually believe she belongs to you. But the truth?" Her smirk widened as she tilted her head mockingly. "She’s my child. And yet here you are, bleeding for a girl who doesn’t even share your blood."
I remained still, gripping my gun tightly at my side.
"You’re pathetic," she sneered, voice laced with cruelty. "You think love makes you strong? No, Valeria. Love makes you weak. It makes you blind. Just like Isabella."
My blood ran cold.
"Shut up," I warned, my patience hanging by a thread.
Miranda grinned, stepping even closer. "She was just like you, you know? Desperate. Foolish. Clinging to love like it could save her. And what happened?" Her smirk deepened, voice turning almost gleeful. "She died. Because she was weak."
In a flash, I raised my gun, aiming it straight at her head, but Miranda only laughed.
"Oh, please. If you were going to kill me, you would’ve done it already," she taunted.
My grip tightened around the trigger.
"Let. Her. Go."
She tilted her head, the amusement never leaving her eyes. "You really think you have control here, don’t you?"
I didn’t respond. My patience was razor-thin, my finger itching to pull the trigger. Penelope’s soft whimpers filled the space, her tiny body trembling in fear.
"You’re wasting my time, Miranda," I said, my voice cold and steady. "You think this is a game?"
She chuckled, clearly enjoying every second. "Oh, but it is. And I love watching you lose."
I stepped forward, letting the weight of my gun ground me.
"Last chance. Let her go, and maybe I’ll make your death painless."
Her smirk never faltered. "Oh, Valeria. You still don’t get it, do you?" She leaned in slightly, voice dripping with venom. "Darius' accident… that was me."