Chapter 13 - CAMBRIA ANNOUNCES SHE’S PREGNANTCambria announced pregnancy publicly before paternity was established.
That was deliberate.
A photograph on social media.
No face of father.
Just her hand over stomach and caption:
Unexpected miracles have a way of revealing what belongs together.
The timing made implication obvious.
Within hours, entertainment sites connected Dorian.
Westbrook affair scandal exploded.
Arielle’s phone filled with sympathy she did not request.
Dorian’s company communications team asked him to issue statement denying paternity until confirmed.
He refused.
“That could hurt child if mine.”
Good.
First mature decision.
He released:
I am aware of Ms. Sloane’s pregnancy. Paternity has not been established. I will respect the privacy and wellbeing of the child while appropriate steps are taken.
No romance.
No defense.
Cambria was furious.
She texted:
Coward. You know it’s yours.
Dorian responded:
Then testing will confirm.
Cambria refused prenatal test initially.
Said stress.
That was her right.
But she continued telling others certainty.
Arielle watched.
Contradiction.
If certain, why resist proof?
Could be fear of procedure despite noninvasive options.
Could be strategy.
Do not assume.
Natalie Vale called.
Julian had admitted sex with Cambria on August 27.
One date.
Maybe more.
Cambria’s claimed gestational timing suggested conception likely late August or early September.
That made Julian more plausible than Dorian’s June encounter.
But Cambria also claimed Dorian slept with her September 3.
Dorian denied.
If she could prove that, he remained candidate.
Arielle asked Dorian:
“Where were you after apartment September 3?”
“Townhouse.”
“Evidence?”
Building garage.
Driver.
Texts.
He left Cambria’s at 10:40.
Home 11:05.
No return.
Could have sex within twenty-six-minute visit?
Possible.
Dorian swore no.
Arielle neither believed nor disbelieved without evidence.
Then Cambria sent ultrasound report to Dorian.
Approximate gestational age.
Dates suggested conception window more compatible with late August.
Dorian looked at Arielle.
“That can’t be mine if June was only time.”
“If.”
He flinched.
Fair.
Arielle asked:
“Did you sleep with her September 3?”
“No.”
“Then ask for test.”
“I did.”
“She refused.”
“Then wait.”
Dorian stared at her.
“How are you this calm?”
Arielle’s answer surprised him.
“Because baby didn’t betray me.”
“You did.”
She was not going to make pregnancy center of her worth.
Cambria expected.
That power failed.
Then Celeste arrived unannounced at Arielle’s house.
Arielle refused entry.
Celeste stood outside.
“Arielle, please.”
“What?”
“If the child is Dorian’s…”
“Stop saying that sentence to me.”
Celeste looked wounded.
“I’m trying to think about family.”
“You have confused family with getting outcome you prefer.”
Door closed.
The next morning, Arielle removed her wedding ring.
Not at dramatic gala.
Not before cameras.
Alone at breakfast.
She placed it in small velvet box.
Then called Dorian.
“I’m filing legal separation.”
He went silent.
“Because of baby?”
“No.”
“Because of you.”
That distinction mattered.
Dorian whispered:
“Is there nothing I can do?”
“Not today.”
“What if baby isn’t mine?”
Arielle closed eyes.
“That would change one fact.”
“Not the affair.”
“Not the lies.”
“Not the slap.”
Dorian cried quietly.
Arielle continued:
“If baby is yours, be good father.”
“If not, do not punish Cambria’s child for her lies.”
“Either way, my decision is about marriage.”
Dorian whispered:
“I understand.”
Maybe finally.
Then Cambria called Arielle directly.
Arielle answered.
“You’re leaving him?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Cambria had expected resistance.
A competition.
Not withdrawal.
“Then you admit he’s mine.”
Arielle almost smiled.
“No.”
“I admit he’s responsible for himself.”
“He’ll come to me.”
“Maybe.”
Cambria’s voice sharpened.
“You’re not going to fight?”
“For a man who cheated?”
“No.”
“This isn’t high school.”
Cambria seemed almost angry.
Arielle understood.
Without Arielle fighting, Cambria’s victory felt empty.
She wanted conquest.
Not just Dorian.
Arielle ended call.
That evening, Dorian showed up outside her gate.
He did not enter.
Texted:
I know you said space. I’m leaving a letter with security. No need to respond.
Arielle read later.
No begging.
No blame.
Only:
If child is mine, I will take responsibility. If not, I will still take responsibility for what I did to us. I understand now those are separate.
For first time, Dorian said something that did not ask Arielle to rescue him from consequence.
It did not earn forgiveness.
But it was start.
Then Natalie sent photograph.
Cambria and Julian entering a private clinic together.
Two weeks earlier.
Natalie wrote:
Why would Julian accompany her if she was certain Dorian was father?
May you like
Arielle stared.
Good question.
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