The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 137

Lie

Morning arrived.

Alina had not slept all night.

She only lay still, staring at the ceiling with vacant eyes. Her body ached everywhere. The traces of Daniel’s hands still lingered on her skin like bruises that could not be seen.

But the physical pain was not the worst of it.

The worst was the emptiness in her chest. A total hollowness after every last hope had been stripped away one by

one.

Daniel had used the one thing Alina still cared about as a weapon.

Junior.

The promise of seeing Junior again if Alina would “cooperate.” The threat of separating them forever if she refused.

And Alina knew it might be a lie. That Daniel might never allow them to meet even if she did everything he asked.

But what if it was true?

What if this was the only chance?

Alina closed her eyes. Tears slid toward her temples.

She no longer knew what was real and what was false. No longer knew how to survive in this hell.

A soft knock at the door broke the silence.

Alina did not move. She did not care who was on the other side.

The door opened slowly. Careful footsteps entered.

“Mrs. Alina?”

Mrs. Helen’s voice. Gentle but carrying its own exhaustion.

Alina did not answer. She only stared at the ceiling with empty eyes.

Mrs. Helen approached. She carried a breakfast tray. She set it on the bedside table.

Then she stood at the side of the bed. Looking at Alina with a devastated expression.

“Ma’am, I’ve brought breakfast. Porridge and warm tea. You need to eat something.”

No response.

Mrs. Helen sat carefully on the edge of the bed. She picked up the bowl of porridge.

“Ma’am, please. Just a few spoonfuls. You haven’t eaten properly in days.”

Alina shook her head slowly. Even that small movement seemed to drain what little strength she had left.

“I don’t want to.”

Her voice was hoarse. Barely audible.

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Mrs. Helen felt tears fill her eyes. “Ma’am, you need to eat. Your body needs nourishment. Please.”

“What for?” Alina whispered. “What is the point of holding on?”

Mrs. Helen could not answer. Because she herself did not know.

Tears began to fall down Mrs. Helen’s cheeks.

“Forgive me, Ma’am. Forgive me for failing to protect you. For being a coward who only thought of her own family. For being unable to do anything when I heard… when I heard what happened last night.”

Alina slowly turned her head. She looked at Mrs. Helen with eyes that no longer held any hope.

“You don’t need to apologize,” Alina whispered in a ragged voice. “You only did what you had to do to survive. I understand.”

“But this is wrong,” Mrs. Helen sobbed. “What Mr. Daniel is doing to you is wrong. What everyone is doing to you is wrong.”

Alina smiled bitterly. “Whether it’s right or wrong doesn’t matter anymore.”

Mrs. Helen wiped her tears. She set the bowl of porridge back on the tray.

“Ma’am,” she said quietly. “Mr. Daniel has ordered me to watch over you. To report everything you do and say.”

Alina was not surprised. She only gave a slow nod.

“But I will not report anything that doesn’t need to be reported,” Mrs. Helen continued in an even quieter voice. “I will carry out my duties only to the extent necessary to keep my position. Nothing more.”

“Thank you.”

“And Ma’am,” Mrs. Helen added carefully. “I’m certain Miss Emma hasn’t given up. She’s far too stubborn to give up on you. Somehow, she must still be looking for a way.”

A faint smile crossed Alina’s face. Very brief.

“Yes. Emma is stubborn.”

But the smile vanished quickly. Replaced by emptiness again.

Mrs. Helen rose slowly. She looked at Alina still lying weakly on the bed.

“Ma’am,” she said gently. “May I help you freshen up? Perhaps a warm bath will make you feel a little better.”

Alina did not answer. She only stared at the ceiling with vacant eyes.

Mrs. Helen took that as silent permission. She walked to the bathroom. She turned on the warm water in the bathtub.

The sound of running water filled the silence.

Once the bathtub was half full, Mrs. Helen returned to the bed.

“Ma’am, let me help you.”

She extended her hand. She helped Alina sit up slowly.

Alina moved like a doll. Her body was limp. No resistance. No will of her own.

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Only the passive compliance of someone who had lost all control over her life.

Mrs. Helen helped Alina stand. Supporting the woman’s trembling frame.

Guiding her slowly into the bathroom.

Carefully removing the crumpled nightgown from Alina’s body.

Fresh tears fell down Mrs. Helen’s cheeks when she saw the new bruises covering Alina’s body.

On her arms. On her thighs. Everywhere.

Evidence of what Daniel had done the night before.

“Good Lord, Ma’am,” Mrs. Helen whispered in a shaking voice.

But Alina did not react. She only allowed herself to be guided into the warm water.

Mrs. Helen helped Alina ease into the bathtub. She picked up a soft sponge. She began cleaning Alina’s body with extremely gentle movements.

Not speaking. Only working in a silence full of guilt.

Alina sat still. Staring at the water as it slowly grew cloudy.

Allowing Mrs. Helen to tend to her like a small child who could not care for herself.

In the dining room, Daniel was already seated reading the newspaper over his coffee.

Clarissa entered with Junior. The child looked sullen. His eyes were swollen from crying through the night.

“Good morning,” Clarissa greeted with a forced cheerful tone.

Daniel only nodded without lifting his eyes from the paper.

Junior sat in his chair in silence. Not touching the food that had been set out.

“Junior, sweetheart, you need to eat breakfast,” Clarissa coaxed. “You have sports class today. You need your energy.”

Junior shook his head slowly. “I’m not hungry, Mama.”

Daniel lowered his newspaper. He looked at his son with a weary expression.

“Junior, about last night—”

“I’m sorry, Papa,” Junior cut in with a small voice. “I shouldn’t have shouted like that.”

Daniel was quiet. He had not expected Junior to apologize first.

“Mama explained it,” Junior continued, eyes fixed on his plate. “That I need to be kind to the sibling who will be born. Even though… even though I’m still scared.”

Clarissa rubbed Junior’s back gently. A thin smile on her lips.

“Junior is such a good boy,” she said. “Papa must be proud.”

Daniel looked at the two of them with a complicated feeling.

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Junior seemed sincere in his apology. But there was something in his eyes. A fear that still ran deep.

And Clarissa had been far too quick to “explain” everything to Junior.

Too smooth. Too perfect.

Daniel did not fully trust it. But he did not have time to dig deeper right now.

“It’s all right, Junior,” Daniel said at last. “Papa understands you’re still confused. But Papa promises to help you understand everything gradually.”

Junior nodded. He began eating with mechanical movements.

Clarissa smiled with quiet satisfaction. She helped herself to a piece of toast.

Daniel returned to his newspaper. But his thoughts were not on the news in front of him.

His phone buzzed. A message from Marcus.

“Sir, Mr. Hayes has confirmed this morning’s meeting at 8 at the office. Will you come directly from home or would you like me to pick you up?”

Daniel checked the wall clock. Fifteen past seven.

He typed a quick reply.

“I’ll go directly to the office. Prepare the small meeting room. Private. No one is to know about this meeting.”

“Understood, Sir.”

Daniel set his phone down. He finished his coffee in one swallow.

“I have to go,” he said as he stood. “There’s an important meeting this morning.”

Clarissa nodded. “Safe travels.”

Daniel walked out without looking back.

Leaving Clarissa and Junior in the dining room.

The moment Daniel’s footsteps faded, the smile on Clarissa’s face widened.

She turned to Junior, who was still eating with a gloomy expression.

“Junior, sweetheart,” she whispered softly. “You did so well just now. Papa believes you were truly sorry.”

Junior looked at his mother with confused eyes. “But I am sorry, Mama. I shouldn’t have shouted at Papa.”

“Of course, sweetheart. But you’re not sorry about what you said about the baby, are you?”

Junior fell silent. He shook his head slowly.

“I’m still scared, Mama. Scared the baby will be bad like Alina.”

Clarissa hugged Junior from the side. She kissed the top of his head.

“It’s all right to be scared, sweetheart. Mama is scared too. But we have to be smart. We can’t be too obvious in front of Papa. Do you understand?”

Junior nodded slowly, even though he did not fully understand what his mother meant.

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Clarissa smiled. She stroked Junior’s head gently.

The seed of hatred had been planted. Now she only needed to ensure it took root and flourished.

Before Daniel realized it. Before it was too late to undo.

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Daniel’s car pulled away from the mansion gates toward the city center.

In the back seat, Daniel looked at his ringing phone.

Mr. Harris.

“Yes?”

“Sir, Mrs. Helen has reported that Mrs. Alina refused breakfast this morning. She won’t eat anything at all.”

Daniel furrowed his brow. “Why?”

“Mrs. Helen says Ma’am appears very weak and has no appetite.”

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment. He drew a long breath.

“Tell Mrs. Helen to keep trying. However she manages it, Alina must eat. I don’t care if she has to be coaxed or how it’s done. She must eat at least three times a day. Report to me if she continues to refuse.”

“Understood, Sir.”

Daniel ended the call. He stared out the window with a hardened jaw.

Alina had to remain healthy. Had to remain strong.

Because her body needed to be ready to carry his child.

Daniel reached for his phone again. He opened the last photo he had taken the night before.

Alina asleep after everything was over. Her face peaceful in sleep even though the traces of tears were still visible on her cheeks.

Daniel stared at the photo with a strange feeling in his chest.

Love? Obsession? Possession?

He no longer knew the difference.

What he knew was only one thing.

Alina was his.

And no one would take her from him.

Not even her own father.

A few minutes later.

Blackwood Enterprises. A small meeting room on the executive floor.

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Daniel sat at the head of the table with a relaxed posture but watchful eyes.

Marcus stood in the corner of the room with a tablet in hand.

The door opened. Richard Hayes entered with a firm stride. His face was set hard. His eyes full of barely contained fury.

“Mr. Hayes,” Daniel greeted, rising from his chair. He extended his hand. “Thank you for coming.”

Richard looked at the outstretched hand without taking it.

“I didn’t come for pleasantries, Daniel. I want to see my daughter. I want to know how she is. And is it true she’s pregnant?”

Daniel lowered his hand slowly. His expression remained composed.

“Please, have a seat first, Mr. Hayes. We need to talk about Alina’s situation.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. I want to see Alina. Today.”

Daniel did not move. He only met Richard’s gaze with a cold stare.

“Please sit down,” he repeated, his tone firmer. “Or we won’t be talking at all.”

Richard looked at him with surging anger. But eventually he sat down with a sharp, forceful movement.

Daniel sat back down. He nodded to Marcus.

His assistant placed a thick folder on the table. He slid it toward Richard.

“What is this?” asked Richard without touching it.

“Alina’s medical report,” Daniel answered calmly. “From Dr. Patricia Ross. Her obstetrician.”

Richard opened the folder roughly. He read the first page.

A complete report on Alina’s pregnancy. Seven weeks along. The fetus in healthy condition. But with a special notation regarding the mother’s fragile mental state.

“So Alina really is pregnant,” Richard said flatly. Disbelieving. “She’s actually carrying a child?”

“Yes,” Daniel replied. Without a trace of hesitation. “Alina is pregnant. That is an official report from a licensed physician.”

Daniel paused for a moment, knowing Richard Hayes would not simply take his word for it.

“With all the necessary signatures and stamps. You’re welcome to verify it yourself if you wish.”

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Illusion of Control

Richard stared at the medical report in his hands with a hardened jaw.

Seven weeks pregnant.

Fetus in healthy condition.

Mother’s mental state fragile and requiring complete rest.

All written neatly with the official stamp of Dr. Patricia Ross.

But Richard did not believe a single word of it.

“This is fake,” he said flatly. He threw the folder back onto the table.

Daniel did not react. He only leaned back in his chair with composure.

“You’re welcome to verify it yourself, as I said. Dr. Ross practices at Greenwich Medical Center. Please contact them directly if you have doubts.”

“I don’t need to verify anything to know this is your manipulation.” Richard looked at Daniel sharply. “At the dinner at your home two weeks ago, Alina showed no signs of pregnancy whatsoever. No nausea. No physical changes. Nothing at all.”

“Early pregnancy often shows no clear symptoms,” Daniel answered casually. “Especially in women with a slender build like Alina. It won’t become visibly apparent until the second trimester. Alina and I only found out about this ourselves a few days ago.”

Richard clenched his fist on the table. He was absolutely certain the pregnancy Daniel was speaking of was fabricated.

“Stop lying to me, Daniel. I know you falsified this report. Just like you planted that story in the media yesterday.”

“I did not falsify anything.” Daniel held his father-in-law’s gaze coldly. “Alina is pregnant. That is a fact. And as her lawful husband, I have every right to decide what is best for her and our child.”

“You’re trying to imprison my daughter again?!”

Richard’s voice rose. His fury began to spill over.

Daniel remained calm. He even smiled thinly.

“I don’t understand what you mean, Father,” Daniel said. “I’m not imprisoning anyone. Alina lives in her own home as my wife. She receives the finest care. Nutritious meals. A private physician. Everything she needs.”

“Then why won’t you allow me to see her?”

“Because her condition is fragile, as stated in that report.” Daniel gestured toward the folder. “Dr. Ross has advised Alina to avoid excessive stress during the pregnancy. Her condition is sensitive. She requires complete rest and a calm environment. That includes limiting unannounced visitors.”

Richard looked at the report with suspicion. “A seven-week pregnancy should not leave someone too weak to see her own father.”

“Every pregnancy is different, Mr. Hayes.” Daniel answered in a tone of forced patience. “Alina is experiencing extreme fatigue and low blood pressure due to the pregnancy. Dr. Ross has strongly emphasized the importance of rest and avoiding situations that could trigger stress.”

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‘And you think my presence would stress Alína? Rather than you, who has deliberately stripped her of her freedom by locking her in a room?”

“I am only trying to protect her,” Daniel corrected in a firm tone. “From people who wish to separate us. From harmful influences that leave Alina confused and distressed, and that could endanger her pregnancy.”

“Harmful influences?” Richard stood with a sharp movement. His chair scraped back. “You mean I’m a harmful influence? Her own father?”

Daniel stood as well. He met Richard’s gaze with cold eyes.

“I mean anyone who tries to take Alina out of our home. Who tries to convince her to leave her husband. Who recruits lawyers to build a case against my family.”

Richard went still.

Daniel smiled at that reaction.

“Yes, Mr. Hayes. I know about Rachel Chen. I know about your meetings with Emma Carter at that law office. Did you think I have no eyes to learn of these things?”

“You’ve been surveilling me?” Richard swallowed. Trying to remain composed. “I have the right to consult a lawyer on behalf of my daughter. That is not illegal.”

“Of course it isn’t illegal,” Daniel agreed. “But it is also not wise. Because now I know your intention to separate Alina from me. And I can take preventive steps.”

“What kind of preventive steps?”

Daniel walked around the table. He positioned himself closer to Richard.

“Alina is my lawful wife. We were legally married five years ago. Our marriage contract is clear and binding. And she is now carrying my child.”

He stopped directly in front of Richard.

“If you or your lawyer attempt to file any claim to separate us, I will fight it by every means available. I have the finest legal team. I have medical evidence of Alina’s pregnancy. I have witnesses who can prove Alina resides in our home of her own free will.”

Richard stared at Daniel with eyes full of hatred.

“You are restricting my daughter’s freedoru. You are keeping her locked in a room! Forbidding her from seeing her family! That is not free will – that is kidnapping!”

“I am not locking Alina in a room or forbidding her from seeing anyone. I only want her to rest more for the sake of her health. So for now I have asked her to remain in her room.”

Richard felt his frustration reaching its peak. He wanted to argue but Daniel spoke again.

Daniel fixed Richard with a penetrating stare.

“And speaking of stress, Mr. Hayes. Let us be honest with one another. You are insisting on seeing Alina not only out of fatherly concern, are you?”

Richard furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

“The Hayes family company has debts that continue to mount. Clients leaving one by one. Finances worsening

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every quarter.” Daniel recited these facts in a flat tone. “Do you think I don’t know?”

Richard’s face reddened. “That is none of your business-”

“It becomes my business when you come to my home trying to see Alina.” Daniel folded his arms across his chest. “Who is to say you aren’t coming to ask something of your daughter? Perhaps requesting financial assistance? Perhaps asking Alina to persuade me to hand over contracts or investments?”

“I have never-”

“Not yet,” Daniel cut in. “You haven’t done so yet. But in a financial situation like the one you’re in, how long before you are forced to ask for help from your daughter who married into a wealthy family?”

Richard felt anger and shame collide in his chest.

Because part of what Daniel said was true.

His company was in trouble. The debts were mounting. But he had never once considered asking Alina to leverage the Blackwood family on his behalf.

Not anymore.

Not after Richard had learned the full extent of what Daniel had done – how he had bound Alina with the very debts they carried.

Even if the Hayes company crumbled to nothing, Richard would not accept help from the Blackwood family again. He was working tirelessly to repay what he owed Daniel.

“Naturally, a visit like that would place stress on Alina,” Daniel continued in a tone as though explaining something to a child. “She is pregnant. Her condition is fragile. And suddenly her father arrives carrying the weight of serious financial trouble. Do you think that would not cause her distress?”

“I am not coming to ask for money!” Richard snapped.

“Perhaps not today. But the pressure exists in your mind. Alina would sense it. She is a perceptive woman, Mr., Hayes. She would know there is something you are concealing. And that worry would disturb her pregnancy.”

Daniel walked back to his seat. He regarded Richard with ease.

“You should be grateful, Mr. Hayes.” Daniel’s tone shifted to something cold and final. “Your daughter became part of the Blackwood family. Not only is your company still standing because of that connection, the Hayes name still carries weight in business circles.”

Daniel’s gaze sharpened, cutting straight through.

“Without Alina’s marriage to me, your company would have gone bankrupt years ago. The clients who remain do so only because they know you are my father-in-law. The banks that still extend loans do so only because the Blackwood name stands behind you.”

Richard clenched his fists. He wanted to argue but could not.

Because everything Daniel said was true.

Painful, but true.

“So rather than trying to tear us apart,” Daniel continued, his voice growing harder. “Rather than hiring lawyers and building a case to take Alina from my side, you should be expressing your gratitude. You should be supporting our marriage. Because it is this marriage that still makes the Hayes family relevant.”

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A suffocating silence fell over the room.

Richard stared at the floor with a rigid jaw. His hands clenched tightly at his sides.

Every word Daniel had spoken landed like a blow across his face.

But he could not refute it.

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Could not argue against it.

Because it was all fact that he already knew. That everyone already knew.

“So,” Daniel said in a tone of finality. “Do you still wish to see Alina today? With all the weight you carry? With all the financial worry filling your mind? Are you certain that won’t cause your pregnant daughter to feel pressured?”

Richard lifted his head. He looked at Daniel with a hatred he could no longer conceal.

His voice came out quietly. Defeated.

“No,” Richard said in a hoarse voice. “I… I won’t be seeing Alina today.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow. As though surprised, though it was plainly what he had wanted from the beginning.

“But,” Richard continued, his voice steadying slightly. “I’m asking permission to call Alina. Just to hear her voice. To know she’s all right. That won’t be too tiring for her, will it?”

Daniel was quiet for a moment. As though considering.

“Very well,” he said at last. “I’ll discuss it with Alina. If she feels strong enough to speak on the phone, I’ll arrange it.”

“When?”

“Once her condition improves. She truly needs complete rest right now, Mr. Hayes. The first trimester is critical. I won’t take any risks.”

Richard gave a stiff nod. He had no strength left to argue.

“All right. I’ll wait to hear from you.”

He turned toward the door with heavy steps. His back bent like a man who had just lost a long and grueling fight.

Daniel remained in the meeting room with a crooked smile.

Savoring the win.

Richard Hayes had been subdued. Had been forced to retreat without putting up any real resistance.

The man would not dare act rashly again. Would not dare challenge Daniel openly.

Not when his life and his family’s still depended on the Blackwood family’s goodwill.

Daniel walked to the large window. He looked out over the cityscape below.

His hand reached for his phone. He opened the contact for the head of Blackwood Enterprises’ legal division.

He typed a short message.

‘Have you found anything on Rachel Chen yet? I need the.results today.’

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Send.

Daniel slipped the phone back into his pocket.

He stared at his own reflection in the glass.

“Now there’s only the matter of dealing with the meddlesome lawyer who has seen fit to interfere in my family’s affairs,” he murmured quietly, a cold smile on his lips. 1

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