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I groaned, covered my face, and squeezed my eyes shut. Was it possible to have cramps when you get pregnant?

Or am I getting my period?

I didn’t know.

Another small moan of pain escaped my lips when the insides of my abdomen churned. This doesn’t feel good at all. Thankfully, I was alone in my teachers’ office so no one could see me like this. I decided not to take any painkillers and focus on working and arranging the worksheets for my next class.

I frowned, looking at my stomach. Why wasn’t I getting pregnant? Ethan and I had been having sex like rabbits since he teased me andcelebratedwith me with his tongue while I was sitting in that same chair. He had been gentle but rough when I begged him to. The sex was definitely amazing, and neither of us wanted to part ways in our post-coital bliss so we would wake up next to each other almost every day.

Then why am I having such bad cramps?

I checked the calendar on my laptop and realized I was two days late for my period. I bit my lip and noticed that I had to visit Sabrina Young, my therapist, for a session. I had contacted her this week and had a virtual session, but I knew I needed to go see her in person and talk to her. She was my father’s friend and one of the best in her field.

My attention diverted to my phone when someone sent me a message. I unlocked the screen and read it.

Ethan:Something special is baking for you.

My eyes widened at his words, and I looked down at my stomach.Did he know? No, of course not. He must have meant something else.

Me:I wonder what that is . . .

Ethan:Come home early to find out. I will be waiting, Bella.

Despite the mild cramps, I was smiling when I went to my next class.

* * *

When I entered the house, the first thing I noticed was the delicious smell of something baking in the oven. It smelt like a bakery.

“How was your day?” Ethan asked from the couch he was sitting on, his laptop perched on his lap. He removed his eyeglasses and smiled at me as I gingerly walked toward him.

“It was okay,” I muttered and peered in the kitchen to see what he had baked.

I took a sharp breath when he stood behind me, his hands wrapping around my waist and making me face him. His eyes were bright and clear, his shirt clean with his washed pair of denim.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, nuzzling his face and pressing a small kiss on the pulse of my neck.

Taking a shaky breath, I pulled away from him. “Not really. I will go get changed.”

Ignoring his frown, I rushed inside my room and taking my pajamas, I locked myself in the washroom. I gripped the edge of the sink when I felt another burst of cramps in my lower stomach. How could I ever face him again? After knowing the truth, he would hate me. Forever.

But I knew I had to tell him. It was eating me alive.

I took a quick warm shower, and I wasn’t surprised when I saw Ethan sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for me.

“What happened at school, Kiara?” he asked in his deep, husky voice. It wasn’t a command, but he wasn’t going to leave without hearing my answer either.

I sat beside him. “I got my period,” I mumbled, looking down at my hands.

For a while, he didn’t say anything and then enveloped my hand in his big ones. I sighed, feeling the soft pressure of his lips on my forehead.

“I am sorry, Bella. We can try again.”

“Don’t apologize, E.”

I squeezed his hand and took a deep breath before facing him. “I need to tell you about something else.”

He nodded, waiting patiently for me.