His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 22

The words hit the room like a thunderclap. All conversation ground to a halt. The entire hall fell silent, not even a whisper left.

A chill so sharp it felt like ice water trickled down the back of Lumina’s neck. It was as if someone had doused her not with wine, but with acid. Her composure stripped away, her expression twisting with dread.

Cedric’s face turned cold and severe. He strode forward, stopping right in front of the two of them.

His eyes flicked over Lumina’s disheveled state, then shifted to Jurgen.

“Who did you say was pregnant?”

Lumina’s heart hammered in her chest, wild with panic. She reached out and gently tugged Cedric’s sleeve.

“Mr. Royce, don’t listen to him. He’s just a lunatic.”

But Cedric brushed her hand away, his gaze unwavering on Jurgen. “Answer me.”

Jurgen sneered, pointing straight at Lumina’s face. “Who else could it be? It’s Lumina! Five days ago, I heard her with my own ears. She said it right in front of her brother’s grave.”

His words sparked a wildfire. Murmurs and gasps spread through the crowd.

“Oh my God, pregnant before marriage?”

“I thought Cedric was only toying with her.”

“Is it really that shocking? She probably schemed for it... If you’re determined, nothing’s impossible.”

The air was thick with wild speculation.

Harriet's expression darkened instantly, her eyes as sharp as blades, boring into Lumina.

Lumina’s mind went blank, her whole body trembling uncontrollably. She looked up and suddenly met Cedric’s stormy, merciless gaze.

In that moment, she remembered what he’d said to her that morning in the hotel—“Ms. Jardin, don’t even think about pulling any tricks. I won’t give you the chance to leave anything behind. Do you understand?”

Cedric slowly turned, facing Lumina. “Is it true?”

Lumina forced herself to breathe, to steady her nerves. She tried to sound calm. “You can’t believe a word he says.”

She stepped closer and cupped his broad hands in hers, her voice gentle, almost pleading. “We’ve been together for so long. Have I ever made a mistake? Have I ever lied to you?”

She was gambling everything on this, betting that she still had his trust. She couldn’t lose her babies, couldn’t let Yadiel or his family get caught in the crossfire.

Cedric’s gaze was razor-sharp, his jaw clenched, suspicion written in every tense line of his face.

She had always been the perfect lover by his side—beautiful, poised, competent, and discreet. But that didn’t mean she had given him everything.

Lumina turned, fixing Jurgen with a frosty stare. “Mr. Harding, you say I’m pregnant? Do you have any proof? Or maybe a recording? Five days ago, I was at my best friend’s house for her birthday. I never went near any cemetery.”

“Bullshit!” Jurgen spat. “I thought you were just a slut, but turns out you’re a liar, too!”

Lumina steadied herself, her eyes rimmed red, fists clenched, looking back at Cedric.

It was her word against Jurgen’s. The tension between them was palpable. Cedric’s reaction would decide everything.

Just then, the sharp click of high heels cut through the silence. Everyone turned. Eyes widened in surprise.

A woman in a striking dress strode confidently down the red carpet, stopping at the center of the hall behind Jurgen. She tapped him on the shoulder.

Kaelin averted her eyes, ignoring the gesture.

She stood, turning to Cedric. “Keep your woman in line. Don’t get on my nerves. Otherwise, man or woman, I’ll deal with them the same way.”

Cedric’s expression softened a little. He gave a faint smile.

He gestured for Hilton, then handed Kaelin a diamond-studded key. “Happy birthday, Kaelin.”

At last, Kaelin looked pleased. She took the key, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “You’re so old-fashioned, you know that?”

He checked his watch with a shrug. “Didn’t have time to shop around, just got the standard model. You can customize it however you like.”

Kaelin didn’t reply, but her smile said everything.

Once Kaelin left, Cedric’s smile faded. He turned to Lumina. “You. Come with me.”

Cedric led Lumina into a hotel room. The door closed behind them, shutting out the noise of the world.

Only then did Lumina feel she could finally breathe.

Confronting Jurgen and then Kaelin had left her feeling like she was suffocating, a hand around her throat. She knew, with absolute clarity, that she wasn’t cut out for this world of power and privilege. She never would be.

Now, she stood awkwardly in the room, watching Cedric stand with his back to her, hands behind his back.

They were in the same room, but their souls might as well have been miles apart.

After a long moment, she saw him light a cigarette. Only then did he speak, quietly, “You’ll stay here tonight. No need to come home with me. Tomorrow, Hilton will take you to the clinic for a pregnancy test.”