Chapter 8 Rivals

• Leah’s POV
• I felt like a thing—like some object they were passing around between themselves. Something they needed to win just to get what they wanted.
• And it was starting to get on my nerves.
• The more they showed me how desperate they were to win my so-called "blessing"—to make me choose one of them to marry—the more irritated I felt. I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want any of it.
• Eventually, I let exhaustion take over. My body was too tired from everything that had been happening. I let myself drift off, the medicine I took pulling me into much-needed rest.
• “Leah, wake up!”
• I stirred awake, my senses catching the scent of something unfamiliar. It smelled… warm, like food. Freshly cooked and tempting. Slowly, I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was Rafael.
• He was standing by the side of my bed, casually dressed in a fitted black top that clung to his body just right, showing off every line of his toned physique. I couldn’t help it—I was breathless just looking at him. He was undeniably handsome, and the way he carried himself made it impossible not to notice.
• I shot up from where I was lying, startled.
• “W-What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sharp with surprise. I almost forgot that I’m now living with them.
• “I made you breakfast,” he said calmly, his voice low and smooth. “I just want to make sure you’re healthy, especially while carrying the baby.”
• I still couldn’t get over how Rafael looked. Honestly, it was impossible to ignore how undeniably attractive he was. Before I could even say anything, the door suddenly swung open, and Xander walked in—with a tray of food in his hands, too.
• “Good morning, Leah,” Xander greeted with a bright smile. “I made you breakfast.”
• But the moment his eyes landed on Rafael, he froze. His expression shifted, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.
• “What are you doing here?” Xander asked, his voice sharp.
• Rafael crossed his arms over his chest, his stance calm but challenging. “I think I should be asking you that. What are you doing here?”
• “I made her breakfast,” Xander answered firmly.
• “So did I,” Rafael replied, his tone clipped.
• “Well, too bad for you,” Rafael said with a smirk. “I got here first.”
• The tension between them was so thick you could almost feel it in the air. They were throwing daggers at each other with their glares, and I found myself looking back and forth between them like I was watching a tennis match.
• Then, out of nowhere, my head started pounding.
• “Guys,” I said weakly, pressing a hand to my temple. “Can you please stop? It’s morning, and I’m so not in the mood for this.”
• Before I could say anything else, the room began to spin. Everything around me blurred, and I felt my knees buckle.
• “Leah!” Xander’s voice was frantic as he rushed to my side. “It’s the pregnancy symptoms,” he muttered to himself, panic creeping into his tone. “Don’t worry, Leah, we’ve got you.”
• Before I could fully process what was happening, Rafael scooped me up in his arms, carrying me bridal style. His strong grip was steady.
• He carried me to the bathroom, gently setting me down just in time for me to hunch over the sink. Nausea hit me like a wave, and I could feel Rafael’s hand on my back, ready to comfort me.
• “Here, let me take care of you,” he said softly.
• But before he could do anything else, Xander stepped in, shoving Rafael aside.
• “Come on, it’s my turn,” Xander said firmly. “Leah, it’s okay, just let it out. I’m right here.”
• His voice was frantic as he tried to help. “Do you need water? Milk? Anything? Just tell me what you need, and I’ll get it.”
• The two of them hovered over me, their rivalry briefly forgotten as they fussed over me. And honestly, as much as I wanted to push them both away, I couldn’t—I was too weak.
• “What the hell? Why did you shove me?” Rafael shouted at Xander.
• Xander, on the other hand, was clearly frustrated. “I had a plan, okay? I was going to take care of Leah and give her food. And then you show up! Why do you always have to get in the way of everything I do?”
• Rafael shot back, “I was here first! I brought breakfast for Leah, so I’m the one who’s taking care of her!”
• “Can you two just stop?!” I finally screamed, losing my patience.
• But neither of them listened. They kept glaring at each other. Then, Rafael shoved Xander, and Xander accidentally pushed me too. I wasn’t prepared, and because of the sudden force, I was knocked into the wall. I hit it hard and then fell to the floor.
• The pain hit me immediately, and I groaned in agony.
• “Leah!” Both brothers shouted in shock as they rushed toward me.
• Before they could get any closer, the bathroom door suddenly burst open, and Damon appeared.
• “What the hell are you two doing?!” he demanded, his voice sharp.
• He shoved Xander and Rafael aside and hurried to my side. His eyes scanned me quickly, seeing the pain on my face.
• “What’s wrong with you two? You know Leah's pregnant!” Damon barked at them, his anger flaring. “You’re making this situation worse for her.”
• Damon quickly ordered, “Call a nurse.”
• Xander and Rafael, still silent, obeyed without saying another word.
• Once they were gone, Damon turned back to me, his voice softer now. “Come on, I’ve got you.”
• He carefully helped me stand and gently guided me back to the bed. Once I was lying down, he stepped back for a moment.
• “Do you need anything?” Damon asked, his voice more considerate now. “I can get you something.”
• I glanced up at Damon and noticed something had changed in his expression. His usual anger had softened, and his gaze was now gentler. It was as if he wasn’t the same person he was when he first came in.
• When I first saw him, he was fuming with anger over me, but now he seemed kinder, almost protective.
• Before I could respond, the door to the room opened again, and this time, it was Lucian. I thought for a moment that Xander and Rafael had come back.
• But as soon as Lucian stepped in, his eyes narrowed sharply when he saw Damon next to me.
• “What are you doing here, Damon?” Lucian asked, his voice icy with a hint of suspicion.