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I smoothed my hand over my swollen belly, feeling the gentle curve that had finally become obvious in the last month. Four months pregnant. N early halfway . The doctor had said with a smile. Every day, I felt the slightest bit heavier, my balance shifting. I’d catch glimpses of my reflection in shiny office doors or mirrors and think, That’s me. A soon-to-be mother, forging through life at a prestigious law firm that, ironically, had ties to Marciano and the mob.

I stood in my cubicle, tapping a pen against my notepad. Outside the tall windows on the twentieth floor, the city sparkled under the afternoon sun. My desk was cluttered with case files, Post-it notes, and a half-eaten sandwich I couldn’t stomach finishing. The baby had me craving odd things, but mostly I just felt nauseated at random times. I took a breath, steadying myself.

My baby, the baby that belonged to Maverick . The biker I hadn’t heard from in months. The real father who probably believed I’d moved on. Well, I had, in a way. Mark, my boss, had swept me into his orbit, wooing me with fancy dinners and lavish gifts, calling me his girlfriend. He’d been surprisingly sweet, pulling out chairs for me, offering foot massages when I complained of swollen ankles, insisting I rest at every opportunity. At least once a week, we’d end up at his mansion or my apartment, having dinner, sipping tea, or, before I was too nauseated, making love in that hollow, mechanical way that never quite replaced what I’d felt for Maverick. But it was comfortable. Safe.

Yet guilt gnawed at me. He believed this growing bump was his child, that we’d somehow conceived it in those early times we fooled around. I’d lied by omission, letting him think it was possible. I told myself it was for the baby’s sake, to secure a father figure in case Maverick was truly gone forever. But the mass on my conscience grew each day, matching the bulk of my stomach.

Worse, I’d noticed signs that Mark intended to propose. He’d dropped hints about “the future,” and how “wedding should be small, intimate.” I’d pretended not to understand. But a few days ago, rummaging in his desk for a pen, I stumbled upon a black velvet box. Tiny, discrete, but undeniable. My chest had seized in panic. I can’t do this. How could I marry him under the pretense that he was the father, when I carried that biker’s child in my womb?

I set down my pen, exhaling shakily. I have to tell him. Tonight. Or maybe right now. The day’s tasks weighed on me, but I couldn’t focus on legal briefs or depositions.

My phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen. Nova. Perfect timing. I grabbed it, ducking into the hallway, then slipped into the ladies’ restroom for privacy.

“Nova?” I whispered, pushing the door closed behind me.

Her voice crackled through. “Hey, Lex. Busy?”

“I’m at work,” I said softly, leaning against the counter. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, reflecting off the polished sinks. “But I’m free enough to talk.”

Nova sighed. “Just checking on you. You never texted back after that appointment.”

I closed my eyes, imagining the latest ultrasound, how I saw the baby’s tiny limbs, the flutter of a heartbeat. “Everything’s normal. The baby’s healthy, measuring fine.” My throat tightened. “I’m four months in, Nova. But it’s actually five. And I’m living a lie.”

She made a sympathetic noise. “I know. Mark’s still clueless, huh?”

I nodded, though she couldn’t see. “Totally. He’s doting, sweet, treating me like a queen. I can’t take it anymore, feeling all this guilt. I think he’s going to propose soon. I actually saw a ring in his drawer. I can’t let it get that far.”

Nova sighed. “So, what’s your plan? Tell him the truth?”

My stomach twisted at the thought. “Yes. I have to. I can’t marry him, letting him believe he fathered this baby. He deserves honesty, even if I’m terrified of how he’ll react.”

A pause. “Yeah, you gotta do it,” Nova agreed. Then her tone turned cautious. “By the way, I ran into Chigger the other night. He was skulking around the bar where I was meeting a friend. Looked anxious. Told me he’d… well, asked if you wanted him to pass any message to Maverick.”

My heart lurched, unexpected hope stirring. Maverick. But just as quickly, anger and sorrow swelled. “No,” I said firmly. “Don’t say a word. He left me. He never looked back. Why would he care that I’m pregnant? He didn’t fight for me, or even check in. So, no. Let’s keep it quiet.”

Nova hesitated. “All right, Lex. If that’s what you want.”

“It is,” I lied, voice wavering. “Look, I gotta go find Mark before I lose my nerve. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” she whispered. “Text me if you need bail money.”

A strained laugh slipped out. “Let’s hope not. Bye, Nova.”

I hung up and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My belly curved under my blouse and pencil skirt, a gentle swell that was impossible to hide now. This is it. I had to be honest, or I’d never forgive myself.

I left the bathroom, heart hammering. My heels clicked on the polished floors as I navigated the maze of cubicles and offices in the firm’s main suite. The place smelled of coffee, paper, and expensive cologne, the usual. A few paralegals nodded as I passed, offering polite smiles. They probably thought I was lucky to be dating a senior associate who’d eventually inherit the firm. I felt sick.

Mark’s corner office had frosted glass walls, a mahogany desk, and a stunning view of the city. The blinds were drawn. My pulse spiked as I noticed the door was closed. He’s probably on a call. But I needed to do this, so I rapped softly.

No response. Strange. Usually, Mark shouted a come in or told me to wait. Hesitant, I turned the knob and stepped inside.

I blinked in the bright light, and my stomach did a flip. Behind Mark’s desk, I caught a glimpse of bare legs and an unfamiliar skirt hiked up. A woman was kneeling there, hidden mostly by the desk’s wooden panel. Mark’s chair was pushed back, his suit pants around his thighs. Oh, my God.

For a moment, my brain refused to compute. Then it crashed in horror. Mark’s head jerked up, eyes wide, face flushed. The woman whipped her head around, hair disheveled, cheeks burning. He had a woman under his desk. A blow job at the office.

I froze, a wave of revulsion and shock crashing over me. This man was supposedly my boyfriend, the father of my unborn child, in his mind, and he was cheating on me in broad daylight. A nauseating swirl warped me.

“Lexi,” Mark gasped, leaping up from his chair, fumbling to pull up his pants. “What are you? This isn’t what it looks like.”

The woman scrambled to her feet, face bright red, tugging down her skirt. She’d been getting hers, too. Rebecca, a young college intern, cast me a mortified glance, then brushed past me in a flurry of stiletto clicks, darting out the door. The scent of cheap perfume trailed her.

I stood rooted, anger and disgust roiling. “Really, Mark?” I rasped. “Not what it looks like? Because it looks like you’re getting off with someone else in your office. Aren’t we supposed to be dating?” My voice trembled with fury.

He ran a shaky hand through his hair, struggling with his zipper. “God, Lexi, calm down. It’s just a fling. You know how things are. I was stressed, needed… release.”

Disbelief speared me. “Stress relief? You do realize I’m pregnant with your so-called baby, and you’re screwing around behind my back?”

He huffed, straightening his shirt before he flew to the door to shut it and lock it. Of course, he doesn’t want anyone to hear. “Lexi, we never had an exclusive talk. We’re not married yet.”

My throat burned with rage. He called me his girlfriend. “You think that justifies it? You were prepared to propose, for fuck’s sake.”

He paused, confusion flicking across his face. “You… you knew about the ring?”

I snorted bitterly. “I’m not blind. I saw it. But guess what, Mark? I was actually coming here to…” I cut myself off, seething. Then I decided to reveal the truth. Tear the bandage off. “To tell you, the baby isn’t yours,” I spat, chest tight. “It’s someone else’s. I lied. I’m sorry. But I can’t do this charade anymore.”

For a second, the room fell deathly silent. Mark’s eyes narrowed, emotion flickering, shock, then anger. “You’re joking,” he said, voice dangerously low. “You told me we’d conceived early on. You let me treat you like, like a mother of my child.”

Tears stung my eyes. “Well, if this is how you treat the mother of your child, I’m glad that’s not me. I’m sorry. But after seeing you with that woman… I’m done. ”

He took a breath, cheeks flushing red. “You’re done? You’re done? ” His voice rose. “After everything I’ve done for you, after I protected you from the mob, you’re just going to walk away? The father of that brat is some random man, isn’t it? Do you even know who?”

My jaw clenched. “He was…someone from before. Look, you’re the one cheating, so don’t act high and mighty.”

Mark’s face twisted in fury. “You think I care about that? I told you I needed an heir. I was prepared to give you everything, to make you my wife, to share the firm’s future with you. You benefit from my father’s connections, from Marciano’s protection. And now you tell me it’s not my child?” He barked a humorless laugh. “Too bad. I’m not letting you off the hook that easily.”

A chill crawled up my spine. “Excuse me?”

He marched around the desk, looming over me. “You will marry me, Lexi. You will pass that baby off as mine. Because if you don’t, I can call in Marciano, have them revoke your precious agreement, and see how you like it when the Syndicate sets its sights on you again. Or, better yet, watch your friend Nova suffer. You want that?”

My blood ran cold. He’s threatening me. “You’re insane, Mark,” I breathed. “I won’t be forced into marriage. This baby isn’t yours.”

He sneered. “I don’t care whose it is. I need an heir for the firm. You need a father for your kid. It’s a win-win.” He gestured around, voice trembling with suppressed rage. “You enjoy the power, the safety, the money. Just keep your mouth shut about the paternity. We’ll be the perfect couple. And if you refuse, well… I have the mob on speed dial.”

My heartbeat thundered in my ears. “You’re disgusting. You want me to lie for the rest of my life, say this baby is yours, so you get your big inheritance or whatever?”

His eyes gleamed. “That’s right. I was trying to be nice, but you forced my hand. You’d better cooperate.” He reached into his desk drawer, pulling out a small velvet box. The ring. He let out a twisted chuckle. “Now’s as good a time as any.”

Before I could protest, he dropped to one knee in front of me, eyes glittering with a mix of desperation and malice. The ring glinted in the office lights.

“Lexi,” he said, voice dripping with forced sweetness, “will you marry me?”

A strangled laugh escaped me, half-sob. “ You can’t be serious. ”

His eyes were icy. “I’m quite serious. Or do you want your life destroyed? Your friend’s life? You want to carry a bastard child with no safety net? We both know the father’s not around. It’s that biker, right? He doesn’t care about you. You told me yourself he left.”

I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Maverick. Anger and heartbreak collided. He did leave me. But that didn’t excuse Mark’s vile behavior. Still, the cold reality was that Marciano held my life in his hands. If Mark told them I’d broken faith, they’d come after me. Fuck. I swallowed hard, tears burning.

I stared at Mark’s face. He was the devil I knew, versus a mob that wanted me dead. My baby’s safety overshadowed my pride. What choice did I have? My lip trembled. “You’re forcing me,” I whispered.

He straightened. “No, I’m giving you an option. Accept, and enjoy a secure life. Refuse, and… well, we’ll see how a mob boss handles betrayal. Not as well as me.”

My vision blurred with tears. I have to protect my baby and Nova. Maverick’s name pounded in my chest, but he was nowhere around. No cavalry to rescue me. Damn it.

I drew a trembling breath, voice barely above a whisper. “Yes,” I said, choking on the word. “I’ll marry you.”

Mark’s smirk reeked of victory. He stood, slipped the ring onto my finger. It felt cold and heavy, a prison shackle. My gut churned with revulsion.

“Good,” he said quietly. “We’ll announce our engagement soon. We’ll plan a wedding that suits our image. You’ll publicly confirm the baby is mine. Another announcement in the paper.” He paused, glancing at the desk where that other woman had been just minutes ago. “And next time, knock, okay?”

I stared at him, tears finally spilling over. I hated him at that moment. Yet I was trapped, cornered by my own lies. Wordlessly, I shoved past him, staggering into the hallway. My entire body shook with rage, grief, and terror. I felt the ring’s weight on my finger, like a chain tethering me to a future I didn’t want.

I’d said yes. Because I had no choice. If I refused, Mark would unleash the mob. He’d said it plainly. God, what have I done? The baby kicked faintly, a flutter I barely recognized. I pressed my hand to my belly, tears blurring my vision. I’m so sorry , I thought silently to my child. So sorry.

As I fled the office, ignoring the curious stares of coworkers, one thought burned through me. I had to survive. Even if it meant being engaged to a cold, manipulative lawyer who’d cheat on me and treat me like property. Ironically, he was no better than the biker I’d run from. All men who wanted ownership. That’s all I was to Mark, a tool to secure his inheritance or his firm’s future.

But there was a flicker of defiance in my heart. I’m not done fighting. My child deserved better than a forced marriage based on lies. One day, I’d find a way out. But for now, I’d have to bide my time.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stepped into the elevator, the ring shining mockingly on my hand. I stared at the reflection in the polished metal doors, a pregnant woman, terrified and trapped, wearing an engagement ring that symbolized everything she loathed. The baby shifted again, as if sensing my distress.

I wrapped an arm around my belly, sucking in a shaky breath. I can’t let Mark or Marciano break me. Even if Maverick was gone, even if my life was tangled in lies, my child would be born, and I would protect them at all costs. I just have to keep going.

But as the elevator descended, I couldn’t stop the tears. Maverick’s face haunted my every breath. If he knew… if he’d cared… maybe none of this would be happening. Or maybe I was delusional.

The elevator dinged, doors sliding open onto the lobby’s marble floors. I wiped my cheeks, forcing my posture upright. People might see me, wonder about my tears. No more tears, I told myself, stepping out. I have to be strong for my baby.