ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 102: It’s not easy to leave

Lena studied Valerie closely, as if needing to be certain that the young woman before her truly understood what had just been said.

"If you want to leave," Lena said softly, "you can. But there will be risks."

Valerie did not hesitate for even a second. She lifted her face, her eyes glinting with a resolve that was fragile yet stubborn.

"Whatever the risk," she said. "I’ll do it. All I know is that I want to be free from that man."

For the first time, Lena did not smile immediately.

"But you’re pregnant," she said slowly. "It is not easy to take a Morvex child out of a Morvex cage."

The words struck Valerie’s chest like a hammer. Yet instead of breaking her, they hardened her resolve shaping it into something cold and dangerous.

"I’ll terminate it," she said quietly, almost without sound yet firm enough to be unmistakable.

Lena’s eyes narrowed. "If you are discovered," she said gravely, "you will never be able to leave him. Not just you. Your life will be caged forever."

Valerie let out a small laugh, fractured and painful.

"I can," she said. "And I will. I would rather disappear... than remain entangled in all of this."

She lowered her head, her fingers trembling. "I don’t want to live as the consequence of someone else’s desire and bond."

Silence fell between them.

Lena released a long breath, as if yielding to something unavoidable. "You know what you are asking of me," she said at last. "And the price is high."

Valerie nodded. "I’ll do anything for you."

For a moment, Lena looked at her intently then nodded slowly.

"Very well," she said. "I’ll help you."

On the way home, Valerie’s steps felt both light and hollow. Her thoughts were in chaos, her chest tight with the weight of the decision she had just made. But before she could reach the gate, a voice stopped her. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Lady Valerie."

She turned. Kaiser stood a short distance away, his face openly marked by concern.

"Are you all right?" he asked. "I heard... you’re pregnant."

Valerie froze.

"How do you know?" she asked sharply.

Kaiser seemed taken aback by her reaction. "Everyone knows," he said honestly. "The news has already spread through the castle."

The blood drained from Valerie’s face. Her heart pounded too fast, too loud.

No... She remembered clearly asking Demian not to announce it. She wanted time. She wanted space. But it seemed her wishes had never truly been considered.

"I see," she murmured quietly.

She excused herself and continued on, her thoughts spiraling. Shock slowly sharpened into something more cutting betrayal.

When she arrived home, another surprise awaited her.

A carriage was parked in the courtyard. Unfamiliar voices echoed from inside. Valerie stopped at the threshold, her breath caught in her chest.

Her family had arrived.

And somehow, in that very moment, Valerie felt as though the entire world was closing its doors one by one while she still stood in the middle, not yet truly free, yet already far too gone to turn back.

Valerie stood at the doorway for a long moment before finally stepping inside.

The sitting room, usually quiet, was now filled with sound restrained laughter, formal greetings, and whispers lowered on purpose yet still audible. Her stepmother sat upright on the sofa as always, her back straight and composed. Her father stood near the window, while a distant aunt someone Valerie had barely ever met watched her with openly appraising eyes.

The moment Valerie entered, the noise faded.

All eyes turned to her to her face, paler than usual, and to her body, which no longer felt entirely her own.

"Valerie," her mother called softly, though there was little warmth in her tone. It sounded more like a summons weighted with expectation.

Valerie returned a thin smile that barely existed. "Mother. Father."

Her mother stood, walked over, and without asking permission placed a hand on Valerie’s stomach. The touch made Valerie’s body tense instantly.

"So it’s true," her mother said quietly, but clearly. "You are carrying the Duke of Morvex’s child."

The sentence hung in the air heavy and cold. Valerie swallowed. She did not answer. What could she say? That this pregnancy felt like no blessing to her? That with every passing second, she felt herself growing more trapped?

Her father cleared his throat. "The entire city is talking about it," he said. "Do you know what this means for our family?"

Valerie lowered her gaze. She knew. She had always known. Her worth had never truly been about herself it had always been about the position she could bring.

"This is a great honor," her aunt interjected with a smile far too wide. "Not every woman is as fortunate as you."

Fortunate.

The word pierced more sharply than they realized.

Valerie lifted her face. "I’m tired," she said softly. "May I go to my room?"

Her mother seemed about to say more, but in the end, she nodded. Valerie turned and walked away, her steps heavy, as though each one carried a weight pressing tighter against her chest.

The moment her bedroom door closed, the smile shattered.

Valerie leaned against the door, her body slowly sliding down until she sat on the floor. Her hands trembled as she wrapped her arms around her stomach the place where a small life was growing, a life others celebrated, yet one she did not know how to accept.

Tears fell without a sound.

She remembered Lena’s words. About the Morvex cage. About bonds broken by desire and obsession. About herself perhaps, just perhaps being chosen at the most unjust moment.

"Am I only a coincidence?" she whispered. "Or a mistake?"

That night, Demian returned earlier than usual.

His footsteps echoed steadily through the corridor, but when he opened Valerie’s door, they slowed. He saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, her back to the door, her shoulders stiff.

"You’re not asleep?" he asked.

Valerie turned. Her eyes were red, though she was clearly trying to hide it. "Not yet."

Demian stepped closer. "I heard your family came."

Valerie nodded. "Yes. They know."

Demian’s jaw tightened. "I told you—"

"Told me what?" Valerie cut in softly, yet there was something in her voice that made Demian fall silent. "That you didn’t want this news to spread? But everyone knows, Demian. Everyone."

Silence fell again.

Demian stood before her, then slowly knelt so they were level. His hand lifted, hesitated, before finally touching her cheek.

"I never meant to hurt you," he said quietly. "I just... I didn’t expect it to go this far."

Valerie gave a small laugh one that held no joy. "Neither did I."

She moved Demian’s hand away from her face. "Everyone congratulates me. Everyone treats me as if I’ve just won something."

She looked straight at him. "But no one asks if I’m happy."

Demian was silent. His expression remained composed, but something moved in his eyes unease, something unfamiliar.

"I’m glad," he said at last. The words were short, stiff. "I’m not good at showing it, but... I’m glad you’re carrying my child."