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CHAPTER 9

Charlie's voice on the other end sounded firm, his tone a mix of concern and anxiety. "Nina, I need to talk to you. Can you come out for a moment?"

Nina's heart skipped a beat, the unexpected request causing a rush of questions and emotions. "Charlie, I'm at my bridal shower right now. Can it wait?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line until Charlie's voice came through again. "Nina, I said I needed to talk to you, and it's really important. Can't you excuse yourself for a few minutes instead of questioning me?"

The sense of urgency in Charlie's voice sent a shiver down Nina's spine, her curiosity getting the better of her. She glanced at her friends, who were still dancing and having fun, and offered an apologetic smile. "I'll be right back."

Nina stepped out of the house, the warm evening air hitting her face as she moved away from the lively celebration. She found Charlie waiting for her, his expression a mixture of anxiety and tension. Their eyes met, and, for a moment, a flood of painful memories washed over her.

"Charlie, what do you want?" Nina asked, her voice firm and her face stern.

Charlie moved close to Nina with a sinister smile on his face. "I heard that you're carrying my baby, and I was so excited."

Nina was shocked, and she wondered how Charlie got to know about her pregnancy. Aside from that, she believed he was speaking nonsense to say that he was excited about his brother's prospective wife being pregnant for him.

Nina's eyes searched Charlie's face, a mixture of shock and confusion evident in her gaze. "Charlie, I don't understand. How did you find out about my pregnancy?"

"Well, that's none of your business. I came here to let you know that I'm aware of our child, and you must ensure that he is safe and nothing happens to him, despite your marriage to Ralph."

The air grew more tense. Nina's eyes bore into Charlie's, a cocktail of anger, frustration, and defiance burning in her gaze.

"Charlie, you have no right to control my life." Nina's voice quivered with anger as she spoke, her words a declaration of independence. "I'm not your possession, and I won't let you dictate what I do."

Charlie's face tightened. "How dare you talk to me in such a manner, Nina? You obey me, or you have yourself to blame!" Charlie threatened as he drew Nina's face and body close to himself so that he could kiss her, but Nina tried to resist him. Charlie's grip was so firm on her that she only struggled helplessly.

"I love you, beautiful. You may be getting married to that fool, Ralph, tomorrow, but look at me; no one can take you away from me," Charlie said, as he burst into wicked laughter.

"You bastard! Lose your grip on me right now!!" Nina yelled.

Her heart raced as she turned to walk away from Charlie. She felt a mix of anger, frustration, and vulnerability, her mind reeling from the intensity of their conversation. As she took a step forward, however, Charlie's grip on her arm tightened, halting her in her tracks.

Her heart raced as she turned to walk away from Charlie. She felt a mix of anger, frustration, and vulnerability, her mind reeling from the intensity of their conversation. As she took a step forward, however, Charlie's grip on her arm tightened, halting her in her tracks.

"Wait, Nina." Charlie's voice was a low, urgent whisper as he drew her close, his breath tickling her ear. "Before you go, there's something I need to tell you."

Nina's heart pounded in her chest, her body tense as she tried to pull away from Charlie's grip. She glanced at him, her eyes a mixture of wariness and uncertainty. "What is it, Charlie? Let go of me."

Charlie's gaze bore into hers, a mixture of desperation and determination in his eyes. "Nina, I want you to follow me. There's a hotel room nearby. We need to talk privately."

Nina's eyes widened in shock, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. "Are you out of your mind? I'm going nowhere with you."

Charlie's grip on her arm tightened, his voice barely audible as he spoke, his lips brushing against her ear. "Nina, you need to listen. If you don't come with me, I'll tell Ralph about the pregnancy. I have nothing to lose."

Nina's heart seemed to stop for a moment, the weight of Charlie's threat crashing over her like a tidal wave. Her gaze locked onto his, a mixture of fear and defiance in her eyes. "You wouldn't dare."

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