"Mom, don’t worry," he said softly. "I’ll take good care of Lila."

"Alright, let Vivian stay at your house. The girl is sharp."

As soon as Vivian heard she could stay at my place, she rushed to grab a suitcase from the house, clearly prepared for this moment.

Marcus pressed his fingers to his temples in frustration. "You’re not going."

Vivian turned to me with pleading eyes. "Aunt, please? I’ll stay at your place for a few days and take care of you... and Uncle."

Take care of him? Sure, in every way possible.

I sighed and opened the co-pilot door. "Do whatever you want."

Vivian beamed and climbed into the back seat.

She really didn’t see herself as an outsider. After a while, she came out of the bathroom in a bikini, strolling casually through the living room.

When Marcus came out of his study, she was dancing to music on her phone.

His body stiffened, and the barely-contained desire in his eyes was unmistakable.

When he turned to look at me, he quickly masked his expression, but it was too late—I had already seen it.

I fanned the air, trying to cool the heat rising in my face. "You’re pathetic."

"Go back to your room." Marcus' voice was sharp now, his temper flaring.

Vivian pouted, the picture of innocence. "Uncle, I have to practice dancing every day..."

"Hmm, like a cat in heat."

Vivian blinked, the perfect image of confusion. "Who are you talking about? My uncle raised me. If you think dirty, that’s on you."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked at him, playing the victim like she always did.

The sad part? She was definitely more alluring to men now than she ever had been when she lived in the mountains.

Marcus' face hardened. "Enough."

"If I see you dressed like that in this house again, you’re out."

Vivian ran off in tears, leaving the tension thick in the air.

Marcus sighed deeply, his gaze softening as he turned to me. "Lila, don’t argue with a child. Maybe you’re carrying our baby. Don’t be upset, okay?"

He placed a large hand gently on my stomach, a gesture meant to comfort.

I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. "No, not today. I got my period."

Marcus' shoulders slumped, disappointment flashing across his face. "I’ll try harder. I’ll make sure you become a mother sooner."

I couldn’t help but feel a cold emptiness at his words. No, Marcus. No.

Nine days. That’s all I had left. How could I possibly give birth to his child?