Page 58

This was everything I wanted. Security. A future. A win.
But at what cost?
Christian had been my anchor through this storm, the one person who stood by me no matter how hard things got.
And I had already pushed him away once.
Could I do it again?
Nathaniel stood, sliding a business card across my desk.
"When you’re ready," he said, "call me."
Then he walked out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
And for the first time since this nightmare started, I had no idea what to do.
Much later, when I finally returned home, exhaustion weighed heavy on my shoulders.
The day had been long, filled with too many emotions, too many decisions pressing in from all sides.
And yet, despite the late hour, despite the quiet stillness of my apartment, my mind refused to settle.
I didn’t even know why I did it.
Maybe it was denial. Maybe it was the irrational hope that, somehow, the result would change, as if taking another test would rewrite the truth.
I stood in the dimly lit bathroom, the soft hum of the city beyond my window barely audible over the pounding of my heart. I had already done this before.
The first test had been clear—there had been no faint lines, no uncertainty. And yet, I found myself staring at another one now, watching as the unmistakable confirmation appeared once again.
Pregnant.
Of course, it was the same.
I let out a slow breath, gripping the edge of the sink as I tried to process it again. As if it would somehow feel different the second time.
But it didn’t.
It still terrified me.
And yet, beneath the fear, there was something else—something quieter, something warmer.
I ran a hand over my stomach, still flat, still unchanged, but undeniably harboring a life.Christian’s child.Our child.
I thought of my meeting with Nathaniel earlier that day. His offer had been generous, strategic—an opportunity that could have given me security, stability, and a powerful partnership.
And for a brief moment, I had considered it.
Not because I didn’t believe in myself. Not because I didn’t think I could rebuild everything I’d nearly lost.
But because for the first time, my choices weren’t just about me anymore.
But I wasn’t going to take it.
I already had a partner.
Christian.