Page 49 of The Alpha's Forbidden Secret Baby

But Ralph's response was swift and merciless. "No more delays. You know what you have to do."

Her heart sank like a stone. She felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of Ralph's demands. She had to find a way out of this, for Abel's sake, if not her own.

Desperation clawed at her insides as she frantically typed out another message. "I'm doing everything I can. Just give me a little more time."

The seconds stretched into minutes as she waited for his reply, her anxiety mounting with each passing moment. She couldn't bear the thought of Abel finding out about the video, of him being dragged into this nightmare.

Finally, the message came. "Fine. Three more days. But don't make me regret it."

Relief flooded through her veins, mingled with a sense of dread. She had bought herself a little more time, but at what cost? And what would she do when that time ran out?

With a heavy heart, she sent a final message to Ralph. "Thank you. I won't let you down."

But even as she hit send, she knew that the hardest part was yet to come. She had to find a way to come up with the money to save her son from the horror that awaited him if Ralph's demands were not met. And she had to do it fast.

Amid her turmoil, Rayla had found solace in the tender gestures of Xander, the man she once loved and still harbored deep feelings for. His courtship was a beacon of light in her darkened world, offering respite from the constant barrage of messages from Ralph.

She closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift back to the memory of their recent dates, each one a precious moment of escape from her troubles.

One particular memory stood out, their picnic in the meadow, surrounded by the vibrant colors of wildflowers and the sweet melody of chirping birds. Xander had prepared a delicious spread of sandwiches, fruits, and pastries, his thoughtful gesture warming her heart.

Another memory flooded her mind—their impromptu mountain climbing adventure. Xander had suggested it on a whim, and Rayla had eagerly agreed, craving the thrill of scaling the rocky peaks once more. Together, they navigated the treacherous terrain, their hands intertwined as they conquered each obstacle with determination and grace.

At the summit, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, they paused to catch their breath, gazing out at the breathtaking vista spread out before them. Rayla's heart swelled with gratitude for this moment, for the man standing beside her who had brought so much joy into her life.

And then, with a mischievous grin, Xander had swept her into his arms, carrying her on his back as he raced down the mountain with exhilarating speed. Rayla had clung to him tightly, her laughter echoing through the night as they descended into the valley below.

In those moments of pure bliss, Rayla had felt truly alive, free from the shackles of her worries and fears. Xander's love and devotion had been a beacon of hope in her darkest hours, reminding her that no matter what trials lay ahead, she would always have him by her side.

The sun cast a warm golden glow over the landscape as Rayla prepared for their family outing. She glanced at the clock anxiously, her heart fluttering with anticipation and nerves. It was almost time for Abel's first official shift, a momentous occasion that filled her with a mixture of pride and apprehension.

Just as she was putting the finishing touches to her hair, there was a knock at the door. With a smile, she hurried to answer it, finding Xander standing on the other side, a soft smile playing on his lips. In his hands, he held a beautiful dress, the fabric shimmering in the dim light of the hallway.

"Hey," he greeted her warmly, his eyes sparkling with affection. "I thought you might like to wear this to our date."

Rayla's heart skipped a beat as she took the dress from him, the delicate fabric slipping through her fingers like silk. It was a stunning creation, elegant yet understated, just the kind of thing she loved to wear. She looked up at Xander, her eyes shining with gratitude.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice catching in her throat. "It's perfect."

With a gentle smile, Xander nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he turned to leave. Rayla watched him go, a rush of warmth flooding her chest as she slipped into the dress, feeling a sense of excitement building within her.

Moments later, she descended the stairs to find Xander waiting for her, his eyes widening in awe as he took in her appearance. She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks as he offered her his arm, leading her to where Abel waited by the door, a wide grin on his face.

"Wow, Mom," he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with admiration. "You look amazing."

Rayla chuckled softly, her heart swelling with pride at her son's words. With a fond smile, she linked her arm through Xander's, feeling a surge of happiness as they stepped out into the cool evening air.

“You do look amazing, Rayla,” Xander asserted, planting a peck on her cheek.

Together, the three of them made their way to the carnival, the air alive with the sound of laughter and music. The vibrant lights of the carnival rides cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the night sky, bathing everything in a soft, ethereal glow.

As they wandered through the bustling crowds, Rayla couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder wash over her. It had been so long since she had allowed herself to simply enjoy the moment, to forget about the troubles of the world and lose herself in the joy of the present.

As they rode the carousel, the wind whipping through their hair and laughter ringing in their ears, Rayla felt a sense of pure, unadulterated joy wash over her. At that moment, she knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be, surrounded by the people she loved most in the world.

But amidst the laughter and excitement, there was an undercurrent of tension, a nagging worry that lingered at the back of Rayla's mind. She stole a glance at Abel, noting the nervous expression on his face as he fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.

"Hey buddy, what's wrong?" Xander asked, his voice filled with concern as he placed a comforting hand on Abel's shoulder.

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