"Aurélia" is the heiress of a powerful family and was destined to take over the financial empire of her father, an influential and feared man in the business world. Everything changes when she learns that she is pregnant by **Leonard Wolfe**, an infamous billionaire, known for his scandals and his dangerous charm. But Leonard fiercely denies being the father and refuses any involvement. Her father, furious and humiliated by this situation, disowns Aurélia, calling her a shame for the family. Rejected by her own circle for not having "solved" what they saw as a problem, Aurélia is stripped of her privileges and must flee with her child. Can she rebuild a life in anonymity, far from those who betrayed her? Years later, after having built a new existence as an independent woman, Aurélia thinks she is finally free from the chains of her past. But it is then that Leonard discovers the truth: the son she is raising is his. Why does this arrogant and insensitive billionaire suddenly decide to claim his role as father after denying his existence? Could he have hidden intentions? Leonard returns to Aurélia's life with a disturbing determination, ready to destroy the barriers she has carefully erected. Aurélia has no interest in reconnecting with a man who denied her son and abandoned her in her darkest hour. But can she really resist his power and irresistible charm? As Leonard tries to gain the trust of Aurélia and their son, old enemies resurface. Why is this man, who seems to have everything, so determined to reclaim what he once rejected? Is it out of guilt or because he is hiding an even darker secret? Aurélia is faced with a heartbreaking choice: protect her son and his new life, or give in to the inexplicable attraction that draws her to Leonard. But can she really trust a man who has been the source of so much suffering? What if Leonard played an even bigger game, a game where Aurélia and her son were just pawns? The more the past resurfaces, the more truths come to light: Leonard may not be the only one hiding secrets. What other shadows hang over their lives? And, above all, will she be able to escape the influence of this man who could destroy everything once again?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
Aurelia held the exam in her hands, the black and white results which confirmed what she feared so much. The words floated before his eyes, each syllable etched into his memory. *Positive pregnancy test*. She blinked, as if that would erase the reality that was slowly pouring into her, but it only made the emptiness in her stomach deepen. There was no going back, no easy solution to this situation.
She took a deep breath, trying to control the panic that was rising inside her. There was no point in denying, in trying to escape the inevitable. This pregnancy changed everything, called into question everything she thought she knew about her life. How was that possible, after everything she'd been through? After the failure of a marriage that had led her nowhere, after constant pressure from her father, after years of trying to maintain an image of a strong and independent woman in the business world, her body suddenly reminded of his vulnerability in a merciless way.
She stared at the test with desperate intensity, as if hoping it would disappear. But the test wouldn't change. The baby was there, real, tangible. He was already a part of her, a new life that connected her to Leonard Wolfe in a way she hadn't anticipated.
Leonard... His heart sank at the thought of telling him. They had had an affair, one of those fleeting encounters that should have remained without consequences, like all the others before him. But with him, it had been different. She still remembered the warmth of his arms, the passion he had aroused in her, this uncontrollable energy. He had disturbed her in a way she had never experienced before, but she had never imagined that it could have repercussions. Leonard Wolfe. Charismatic, arrogant, impulsive, but above all, dangerous. He wasn't the kind of man you made long-term plans with. He was the man who didn't believe in ties, who left a trail of broken hearts behind him, a man more interested in his business and his image than in any responsibility.
She never thought it could end like this. A pregnancy. A situation which risked upsetting not only his life, but also that of his father, of his empire.
She knew her father would react badly. He had strict principles, well-defined expectations for his children. Aurélia had to be perfect, an heiress worthy of her name, a model of success in the business world. And an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, with a man like Leonard Wolfe on top of that, risked destroying everything she had built so far. She could almost hear her father's cold voice, the disappointment evident in his words.
She knew she had to make a decision quickly. But how do I break this to Leonard? How do I talk to him about something he didn't even want to admit after they met? After all, he had refused to acknowledge his involvement. He had rejected her with a simple gesture, a raw and merciless denial.
She sat on the couch, staring into space, wondering if this could be a bad dream. But every second that passed brought her back to the harsh reality. There was only one thing to do, one thing she couldn't avoid: talk to Leonard.
The next day, she went to her office, nervous, her hand shaking slightly as she wrote a message to Leonard. He never responded immediately, always busy with business, negotiations that took him away from everything else. But she didn't expect a quick response. She expected nothing more than the confrontation that was coming. She already had an idea of his reaction.
She took a moment before calling her driver, preparing herself for the meeting with Leonard. She knew he was going to deny it. He was going to escape the situation with a simple "It's not my problem." But she couldn't run away any longer.
When she arrived at his apartment, he was there, as implacable as ever. His gaze rested on her, cold, distant, as if he was already preparing for her defense.
"Aurelia, what are you doing here?" Leonard asked, his voice already tinged with contempt. "You know I don't have time for this. »
She froze, fighting against the anxiety that gripped her body. Each word seemed to require a herculean effort. She forced herself to look him straight in the eyes, not to flinch. Not this time.
"I'm pregnant, Leonard." She placed the test on the table in front of him. Silence settled in the room, heavy and oppressive. Leonard didn't move, his eyes fixing on the test with an icy intensity. A grin briefly crossed his features before he straightened up and turned towards her.
"It's impossible," he said in a dry, almost irritated tone. "I told you it wasn't possible. It's a mistake, Aurélia. I am not the father."
She felt a wave of anger rise within her. She had expected this reaction, but the brutal rejection was still painful. "Are you kidding me, Leonard? You know very well what happened. There is no room for doubt here."
Leonard shrugged, a defiant look in his eyes. "You've made your choice, Aurelia. You wanted to bond with me, now it's up to you to manage this situation. »
She clenched her fists, feeling the heat of frustration rise within her. "And you, do you really think you can walk away from this like it's nothing? It's your child, Leonard! He's your son! He deserves to be recognized by his father!"
A sneer escaped his lips. "Want me to tell you something? I have other concerns than playing father to a child I don't even want to hear about."
The words hit Aurélia like a punch. She bowed her head, feeling like a stranger in this room that was once filled with memories of their short but intense affair.
"Don't kid yourself," he said, heading for the door. "I will never be that kind of man. You'll have to find another solution."
And he disappeared into the adjacent room, leaving her alone, her heart beating in her chest, her thoughts in torment.
She was alone. And the worst part was that she knew her own father was going to reject her the same way. She could already hear his shrill voice, filled with disappointment.
As evening fell, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. She sat in the darkness, her face in her hands, crying silently. The pain of rejection, of abandonment, had never been so strong. But she didn't have the luxury of letting herself sink. She had a decision to make, and this time, there was no turning back.
The next morning, when she called her father, her voice was cold. "Aurélia, it's a shame, you know that. I always told you to be careful around men. And now this situation... it's a disaster. »
The conversation was brief, cruel, and Aurélia understood that she had just lost not only Leonard, but also her father's approval. She no longer had a place in the world she had known. His future was now uncertain.
She gradually faded away, but in silence, she swore to herself to protect this child. Whatever the price to pay.
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