CHAPTER 10

Charlie's gaze held hers, his expression unwavering. "I'm not bluffing, Nina. You have a choice to make. Come with me, and we can figure this out together. Or refuse, and I'll do whatever it takes to ensure the truth comes out."

Nina's mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of panic and desperation. The secret she had guarded so carefully was now a weapon in Charlie's hands, a bargaining chip he was willing to use to get what he wanted. She felt as though the ground had been pulled from beneath her, and her options were limited by the weight of his threat.

"Charlie, you can't do this." Nina's voice quivered, a mixture of fear and anger in her words. "This is my life, my future, and you can't control it like this."

Charlie's grip on her arm loosened slightly. "It will take you nothing to follow me to the hotel. And if you don't, I'll not relent in telling Ralph and anyone who cares to hear that you're pregnant for me. I'll blackmail you and disrupt your marriage to Ralph. You know, I have nothing to lose. I'm ready to face the consequences that come with that."

Nina's mind raced as she considered her options. The emotions within her were a tempest—fear, anger, and a fierce determination not to be manipulated. She pulled her arm free from Charlie's grasp, her voice fierce as she looked into his eyes.

"Charlie, you can't force me into this. I won't let you use my secrets against me, so leave me alone!"

"Alright, then. I'll just leave." Charlie replied as he turned to go.

Nina stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, as she saw Charlie turn away from her. The weight of their confrontation still hung heavy in the air, and the threat he had leveled against her felt like a dark cloud that refused to dissipate. She watched as he took a step, his back to her, and the turmoil within her became too much to bear.

"Wait!" Nina's voice quivered as she called out, desperation lacing her words. "Charlie, please wait."

Charlie paused, his footsteps halting, and then he turned slowly to face her. His gaze was a mixture of wariness and curiosity, as if he couldn't quite anticipate what she was about to say.

Nina took a deep breath, her voice shaking as she continued. "Please... please... don't tell Ralph or anyone else about the baby. I'll come with you."

"Good move." Charlie nodded as he smirked. "All right, Nina. If you're willing to come with me, let's go."

As they left the gathering behind and walked to the nearby hotel, a heavy silence enveloped them. Each step felt like a leap into the unknown, a journey into uncharted territory that Nina was yet to fully comprehend.

They entered the hotel room, the air heavy with tension and uncertainty. Charlie motioned for Nina to sit, and she took a seat on the edge of the bed, her heart racing as she waited for Charlie to begin.

The silence stretched between them, a palpable reminder of the weight of their situation. Finally, Charlie cleared his throat, his gaze locking onto Nina's.

"Nina, I'm deeply in love with you."

The hotel room seemed to shrink as Charlie's words hung in the air, his confession of love landing like a stone in the pond of their complicated situation. Nina's heart raced, her emotions a turbulent sea as she struggled to process what had just been revealed. She stared at Charlie, her eyes a mixture of shock and uncertainty.

"Charlie, what are you saying? Are you out of your mind? I'm getting married to your brother tomorrow, and you invite me here, spilling trash from your mouth!"

Charlie took a step closer to her, his gaze intense as he met her eyes. "Nina, I've loved you for a long time. Even after everything that's happened, my feelings for you haven't changed."

Nina's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. She felt as though the ground beneath her was shifting.

"This is a joke, right?!" Nina felt her anger rise within her. "Have you forgotten that you called me out in the midst of the party with my friends? Tomorrow is my wedding to your brother, Charlie! And I'm sure that my friends will be on the lookout for me right now."

"I don't bloody care, Nina!" Charlie spoke at the top of his voice, then he quickly tried to be calm. "I'm sorry, Nina." Charlie's voice was a low, seductive whisper as he spoke, his hand reaching out to gently touch her cheek. "I want to be close to you again. I want to be a part of your life in every way."

"You crazy bastard!" Nina yelled as she made her way towards the door.

"I'm sure you're ready to face the consequences of your actions." She heard Charlie's voice from behind as she was about to open the door.

On hearing this, a surge of fear sprouted up in Nina's heart. She turned back and walked towards Charlie. The room seemed to close in around her, and the gravity of the situation left her feeling trapped. She couldn't deny the power that Charlie held over her—the ability to reveal her secret and disrupt the fragile balance she had fought so hard to maintain.

Charlie's gaze held a mixture of wickedness and determination. He knew the leverage he had, the delicate thread he could pull that would unravel the carefully woven fabric of Nina's life. Now, Nina's emotions were a whirlwind within her—fear, anger, and a desperate need to protect the truth she had guarded so carefully.

"Nina." Charlie's voice was soft. "I enjoyed the last sex we had, and I want to have more of that." He said this, looking into her eyes lustfully.

"What?" Nina looked at Charlie in bewilderment, shocked at his request. "No, Charlie. No. You can't do this. I'm your brother's wife."

"Nina, this isn't going to take us more than five minutes. Make love to me, and you'll be free. Come on, let's do this, babe." Charlie said as he began to touch Nina's body. Nina knew that she had no choice at this point, and Charlie was capable of living up to his threats, so she yielded to him reluctantly, giving him her body.