CHAPTER 57: PREGNANCY BARGAIN

All eyes shifted to Julian. He had been stubborn from the beginning he didn’t want the child. But now, with the truth about his failing strength exposed, something in him wavered. The air around him shifted, his posture tense in a way that told me his instincts were fighting his pride. Could he still reject the baby knowing it might be the only one he would ever have?

"Julian..." Camilla whispered, voice trembling. Her eyes were wide with fear, desperate for him to choose her side.

"I want to keep the child," he said quietly.

Camilla’s eyes brightened just for a moment.

Then Julian continued, colder than before.

"But I won’t marry her."

Camilla’s face twisted. "Julian, I gave you everything. How can you say this now? If you won’t marry me, what do you expect me to do?"

Julian snapped.

"What do you mean, what are you supposed to do?" His voice rose, raw with anger. "You came to me on your own. You swore it wouldn’t interfere with Elena and me. And now you’re acting innocent? You told me you were taking birth control. So how are you pregnant?"

His anger filled the room like heat. There was no space left for lies not this time.

"Elena warned me about you," he spat. "She said you couldn’t be trusted. I should’ve listened. You tricked me, Camilla. I never loved you not then, not now. I’ll take responsibility for the child because he’s Hale blood, but you? Don’t think for a second you’ll marry into this family."

It was painful to watch, but also strangely satisfying. Camilla had built her plans with care, but desperation pushed her too far, too fast.

Vivian finally stepped forward, protective anger twisting her features. "Julian, that’s not fair. Elena is gone. Our families have been close for years. Everyone could see the connection between you and Camilla. If Elena hadn’t been around, things might have been different."

I stared at the woman I once called "Mom." In my last life, I believed she cried for me. I believed her grief was real.

But looking at her now using my death to defend the daughter who betrayed me I wondered...

If she learned what Camilla did, would she still protect her?

"Mrs. Morrigan," I said softly, "are you suggesting Elena and Camilla were just two sisters chasing the same man? And Julian stayed with Elena only because he had to?"

Vivian lifted her chin. "Yes. Everyone knows Elena was always running after him."

A small, bitter laugh escaped me. Not because it was funny but because the pain was too deep to swallow silently.

"What are you laughing at?" she snapped.

I lifted my gaze to hers. "I’m laughing because Elena must feel so pitiful, even in death. She gave everything to him. She sacrificed more than you ever knew. And what did it earn her? Betrayal on her wedding day. Betrayal on her wedding night. And now her own family stands here defending the people who broke her."

My voice shook, but I didn’t lower it.

"If Camilla was only her sister, why didn’t any of you protect that bond? Why didn’t you stop her from stepping over that line?"

Julian suddenly spoke again, voice heavy with regret.

"It wasn’t sibling love. From beginning to end, the only one I loved... was Elena. Camilla was just something else. A distraction. Nothing more."

He turned to Vivian, tone cutting.

"I’ll take responsibility for the baby. But take your daughter home. I don’t want her anywhere near me."

Malcom, stiff and pale, finally stepped forward and looked at Jeffrey.

"Jeffrey... what now? My daughter is unmarried. Your grandson used her. And with her heart condition, this pregnancy could endanger her life. How do you plan to resolve this?"

Jeffrey answered calmly, voice steady like an Alpha used to settling disputes.

"Matters of love require two willing hearts. From what I’ve seen, your daughter came to Julian willingly. If force was involved, I’d handle this differently. But since she carries my grandson’s child, I won’t let her suffer."

He paused.

"I’ve prepared a check for ten million to cover her living and medical needs. A villa will also be transferred to her name."

To the Hales, it was nothing.

To the Morrigans... it was wealth beyond anything they owned.

James surprised everyone by speaking up, his voice hard. "We don’t need your money or your villa, Jeffrey. We may not be as wealthy as your family, but we won’t allow our daughter to be treated unfairly."

Jeffrey leaned back, completely unfazed.

"Then," he said slowly, "what about the rights to the Westfolk project?"

The entire room froze.

The Westfolk project was worth millions. One of the most valuable territories in the region.

James and Malcom went silent instantly.

Even the air stopped moving.

Jeffrey’s cold, sharp eyes turned to Malcom. "What’s your decision, Mr. Morrigan

"Since the Hales are handling this properly, I won’t object... as long as our families stay on good terms."

Jeffrey didn’t react. His presence stayed firm and steady. "Good," he said. "Then it’s settled. The money, the villa, and the Westfolk project are yours. All I want in return... is the child."

Malcom’s shoulders loosened. His heartbeat steadied.

He’d gotten what he wanted.

"We’ll take good care of Camilla," he said quickly.

Of course they would. She was carrying ten million, a villa, and a territory contract in her belly now.

"But I have two conditions," Jeffrey went on, voice colder.

"First, Camilla cuts all ties with the Hales from today onward."

Vicky stepped in fast, trying to sound wounded.

"Jeffrey... she may not be my blood, but I raised her. I can’t just watch her be pushed out. She and I our bond "

He sliced through her excuses with one sentence.

"If that bond matters so much, feel free to move out of this house, leave James, and live with her."

Vicky froze.

Her pulse stuttered.

She wanted Camilla but not enough to give up her position here.

Malcom didn’t even blink. "No problem. We’ll sign."

Jeffrey nodded once. "Second, Camilla will carry the child to term. After the birth, the baby will be raised as a Hale. She will have no rights to it. If anything happens to the child, the money, villa, and project are void."

Malcom hesitated but agreed. "Understood."

Jeffrey signaled Gune, who brought the papers. When he laid them in front of Camilla, the weight of them filled the air.

"If you have no objections," he said, "sign. This means you’re no longer tied to the Hales, and you will have no claim to the child. You may not approach them ever."

Camilla’s fingers trembled, but she signed.

When she lifted the pen, I spoke gently, almost casually, "Jeffrey, with Julian’s condition, there are many women who would still be willing to form a bond with him. Even if we just held a funeral, we need to think ahead. A stable marriage could ease concerns... give him grounding."

Jeffrey nodded. "True. But how do we explain it?"

"We’ll say James’s health is declining," I said. "That the marriage is meant to lift his spirits. No one questions a pack trying to comfort a sick elder."

A slow smile pulled at Jeffrey’s mouth.

"You always think two steps ahead. So you’ll help arrange it?"

I met Camilla’s eyes as I answered, "Of course. I’ll find a woman from a respected bloodline. Someone strong enough for the Hales. Tonight’s banquet will be perfect I’ll speak quietly and invite a few ladies to meet Julian. As for James..." I turned to him, "you may have to act unwell."

He didn’t look thrilled, but he agreed.

He felt the urgency too. Julian needed a true mate bond soon before his condition worsened.

I faced the two who’d caused all this chaos.

"Camilla, Julian... any objections?"